Tulsi Tea: Recipe, Detox Claims and Safety

Tulsi tea is an infusion of holy basil leaves in water that takes 2 hours 5 minutes to prepare and makes about 1 litre, or 4¼ cups.

What is tulsi tea?

Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is an aromatic herb used to make tea. Its botanical name is Ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as Ocimum sanctum. The leaves have a distinctive herbal flavour, and plain tulsi tea contains no caffeine.

Tulsi is a different herb from the sweet basil commonly used in cooking. Fresh leaves can vary in size and flavour, so the quantities in this recipe are approximate.

Tulsi tea can be served hot or cold. This cold-infused version is one way to prepare herbal detox tea without sweeteners or other ingredients. Use tulsi sold for food or grown without pesticides that are unsuitable for edible plants.

How do you make tulsi tea?

This recipe uses fresh leaves and a covered pitcher. The 5 minutes of preparation are followed by at least 2 hours of steeping in the refrigerator.

Yield: About 1 litre (4¼ cups)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Steeping time: 2–4 hours
Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes at the minimum steeping time

Ingredients

• 1,000 mL water (about 4¼ US cups)
• About 5 g fresh tulsi leaves (8–12 leaves, roughly 3/16 US cup or 3 tablespoons loosely packed)

Steps

1. Wash the tulsi leaves under running water and clean a pitcher with a lid.
2. Put the leaves in the pitcher and add the water.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavour.
4. Strain out the leaves and serve the tulsi tea chilled.

For another infusion idea, use the ai detox recipe generator.

The refrigerated steep makes a lightly flavoured infusion rather than a concentrated extract. For a stronger flavour, use the longer end of the steeping range rather than leaving the pitcher on the counter.

Keep the tulsi tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavour. Discard it after 2 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Don’t leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

What does tulsi tea do for detox?

Tulsi tea provides water, which helps you stay hydrated. Hydration supports normal body functions, including the work of the kidneys.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification; the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Sweat removes only trace amounts. Tulsi tea does not replace these processes or remove a special category of toxins from the body.

Research on tulsi should not automatically be applied to this drink: studies may use different preparations or amounts of the herb. There is no established evidence that this tulsi tea recipe produces a special detox effect. For a closer look at the claims, see tulsi tea benefits.

How much tulsi tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established daily amount of tulsi tea needed for detox. You can enjoy a serving when it suits you as part of your usual fluid intake; there is no proven detox advantage to drinking it at a particular hour.

The recipe makes a pitcher to share or refrigerate, not a recommended amount to drink in one sitting. For more on serving frequency and timing, see how much tulsi tea per day, can you drink tulsi tea every day and the best time to drink tulsi tea.

If you have been advised to limit fluids, follow your healthcare professional’s guidance rather than adding extra drinks to your routine.

What are the side effects of tulsi tea?

People can react differently to herbs. Stop drinking tulsi tea and seek medical advice if you notice a concerning reaction. Get urgent help for trouble breathing or swelling of the mouth or throat.

Tulsi may interact with medicines, including diabetes medicines and blood thinners. If you take medication or have a medical condition, ask a clinician or pharmacist before drinking tulsi tea regularly. Do not stop prescribed medication because of a tea.

Safety information is limited for pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with a healthcare professional before using tulsi tea during either. Ask a child’s healthcare professional before offering it regularly to a child. Read more about tulsi tea side effects.

Frequently asked questions

The following answers cover ingredient substitutions and serving this recipe.

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