Is It Safe To Consume Tulsi (Holy Basil) During Pregnancy?

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Basil or tulsi is a herb known for its minty flavor and is frequently used in Italian recipes.Considering its wide usage in Italian cuisines, you may wonder if it is safe to consume tulsi in pregnancy.This herb has an intense flavor that enhances the taste of Italian food. It is also a part of many seasoning pre-mixes and is served freshly on pizza and pasta. Hence, it is difficult to avoid it completely. However, knowing this herb’s health benefits and risks could calm your concern. Read on to know more.

What Is Basil?

Basil is a popular herb used as Ayurvedic medicine with antimicrobial, anti- oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It possesses anti-diabetic properties, which may help in blood sugar control. Additionally, it may aid in maintaining digestive health (12).The green aromatic leaves of the herb add a punch of great flavor to soups, salads, and many other cuisines.Also, basil is high in nutrition and contains many proteins, vitamins, fiber, minerals, and otheressential nutrients.(1).

Health Benefits Of Consuming Basil During Pregnancy

1. Helps regulate blood clotting

Basil provides a good amount of vitamin K, which plays a vital role in ensuring your good health and your unborn baby’s safetymanbet安卓版.Vitamin K helps clot blood and prevents the risk of blood loss(2).

2. Promotes fetal growth and development

Basil is rich in vitamin A, which ensures appropriate growth and development of the fetus. Vitamin A from the herb promotes heart, eyes, lungs, and central nervous system development(3).

3. Supports Formation Of Fetal Bones

The manganese content in basil helps form your unborn baby’s bones and cartilages. Also, manganese acts as a powerful antioxidant that minimizesoxidative stressⁱXAn unbalanced ratio of antioxidants to free radicals in the body leading to cell damageand prevents the risk of cellular damage in pregnant moms(4).

4. Ensures healthy blood supply

The folate content of basil helps generate additional blood that you need during pregnancy. Also, folate prevents the risk of certainbirth defectsin the unborn baby(5).

5. Prevents anemia

Basil is an excellent source of iron. Iron helps promote a good hemoglobin count and boosts your red blood cell count (RBCs) during pregnancy.Thus, it is a natural medicine that prevents the risk of anemia in expectant mothers, provides your necessary energy, and wards off fatigue(6).

6. Boosts immunity ensuring a healthy pregnancy

Basil is a rich source of several vitamins, such as vitamin E,vitamin C,riboflavinⁱXNatural form of Vitamin B2, essential for body metabolism and beneficial for brain, eyes, and skin health,niacinⁱXA natural form of vitamin B3 employed in various processes such as energy metabolism, cell growth, and function, and many other vitamins. Also, the herb is a good source of minerals namely, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, manganese, and potassium. All vital vitamins and minerals in basil provide immune system support against many infections, ensure your good health and optimal development of the unborn baby, and help you enjoy ahealthy pregnancy(7). Tulsi also aids in stress relief and reducing depression and anxiety (12).

Side Effects Of Eating Basil During Pregnancy

Even though there are several health benefits of eating basil while pregnant, an excess of consumption of the herb can result in side-effects. Here are two main side effects of the herb.

1. Causes health troubles

Eugenol, the oil present in the basil, can prove hazardous to health if you eat an excess of basil.草的油会导致心跳加速s, throat and mouth burns, shallow breathing,seizuresⁱXSudden and abnormal surges of electrical activity in the brain characterized by jerking body movements and loss of consciousness, dizziness, blood in the urine, andcomaⁱXA state of being in a deep and prolonged state of unconsciousness, usually due to a medical ailmentin extreme cases(8).

2. Results in severe hypoglycemic effects

Excess consumption of basil in pregnancy can result in serious hypoglycemic effects minimizing your blood sugar levels. As a result, you may suffer from dizziness, irritability, and shaking(9).

A Word Of Caution

Basil is safe to consume during pregnancy, however, make sure you consume it in appropriate amounts and not in excess. Also,pregnant womenshould wash the herb before consuming it since unwashed basil may contain harmful parasites and bacteria that can lead to food-borne infections and ailments, such aslisteriosisⁱXFood-borne bacterial infection in pregnant women characterized by diarrhea and fatigue, and flu-like symptomsandtoxoplasmosisⁱXParasitic infection often caused by consumption of contaminated raw meat or exposure to cat feces during pregnancy. Consult your doctor for prenatal care once before you start eating basil while pregnant(10).