Benefits Of Tulsi Tea During Pregnancy

By Bhadra Kamalasanan

Tulsi, which is also known as holy basil, is a part of the mint family that is known for having a sweet, spicy fragrance very close to that of clove. Although, the tulsi herb has its roots in Asia and Australia, it can be found in a lot of places in the world today. The herb offers a lot of health benefits and may also be of great help if consumed at the time of pregnancy. It can, however, not be used as a substitute for conventional medicine.

VAGINAL DISCHARGE DURING PREGNANCY

Every pregnant woman must take care of herself to ensure that her baby is born without any to her health or to that of the baby. Most experts recommend that women indulge in as much healthy eating and drinking as possible and avoid certain foods and beverages that can be detrimental to her health. One of the most commonly recommended beverages for pregnant women is herbal teas. Here are the reasons why.

Tulsi Tea | Safe | During Pregnancy

Detoxifies: Tulsi has amazing detoxifying properties that can keep the heart and lung tissues clean and safe from infections and other health problems.

Zero caffeine: it comes as no surprise that pregnant women are proscribed caffeine completely from their diet. A precise reason why tulsi tea is proscribed from every pregnant woman’s diet is because it does not have caffeine.

Neutralises free radicals: Tulsi tea is dense with antioxidants that protect the body from diseases caused as a result of an overflow of free radicals. It tries to neutralise the free radicals and thereby, helps to make the immune system stronger to fight off diseases.

Relieves joint pain: Pregnancy comes with a lot of minor troubles such as aches in the joints and muscles. But, do not be worried about them because a regular consumption of tulsi tea can help you to relieve inflammation and weak bones. It is important, however, to make sure that you do not substitute tulsi tea for conventional medicine.

De-stresses: pregnancy is a stressful period and every pregnant woman needs to find opportunities to relax as much as possible. One of the best ways this can be done is by consuming tulsi tea. On consumption, tulsi tea releases the happy hormone called serotonin throughout the body, thus managing the level of stress. Besides, tulsi tea is popular for its calming effect.

How to Prepare Tulsi Tea
Preparing a cup of tulsi tea does not require a lot of work. While most Indian families have a tulsi plant in their home for religious reasons, those people who do not have can pick pre-packaged or dried form of tulsi tea from the market. To make this tea, bring a pot of water to a boil and steep one tea bag of tulsi tea into it for about five minutes. Sweeten the tea with honey and add a few drops of lemon juice to taste. If you are not using the pre-packaged tea, shred and chop one or two spoonfuls of fresh tulsi leaves and cover them with a cup of water. Allow the leaves to stay for two minutes.

Even though, you do not really need a green flag from your doctor regarding whether or not you should be consuming tulsi tea, it would be a wise decision to ensure that you consume the beverage in moderation.

Story first published: Saturday, July 5, 2014, 10:30 [IST]
Read more about: pregnancy care