Can Ashwagandha And Tulsi Be Taken Together?

by Mallika Varma | Apr 5, 2018 | Herbs + Remedies

Great question! You’re probably also wondering about stress. Ashwagandha and tulsi can be taken together for more powerful stress-relieving results. Let’s review each herb individually and then we’ll address safety, stress, ashwagandha tulsi tea, contraindications, and more.

Ashwagandha And Tulsi

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an essential herb for longevity.

It has many unique properties required for a healthy life. In Ayurveda, it is called a rasayana. This means it rejuvenates the body and mind.

Ashwagandha has miraculous benefits for the nervous and endocrine systems. It brings the body, mind, and spirit into harmony. This is the best type of rejuvenation.

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is also known as Holy Basil. It promotes health throughout the entire body.

Tulsi has been found to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals. It also protects against physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint, exposure to cold, and excessive noise.

Considered a potent adaptogen, tulsi has a unique combination of pharmacological actions that promote well-being and resilience.

The Ayurvedic Properties Of Ashwagandha And Tulsi

Ashwagandha

ashwagandha benefits dosage uses side effectsweight and energy

Ashwagandha is an important herb for promoting strength.1 It is an excellent aphrodisiac (sukravardhaka) and rejuvenator (rasayana). It is useful in treating emaciation, under nutritive conditions, male sexual dysfunctions, and loss of libido. It also alleviates swelling.2

Tulsi

Ashwagandha and Tulsi

Tulsi possesses an excellent property for pacifying Kapha dosha.

It is antimicrobial and is useful in the treatment of the common cold, asthma, chronic respiratory disorders, and cough.3 It is traditionally known as one of the top ten herbs for treating asthma.4

It is excellent in cases of throat infections, hiccups, nausea, anorexia, chest pain, and skin diseases.5

Both ashwagandha and tulsi have similar Ayurvedic properties. They are both bitter and astringent in taste, light (as opposed to heavy), and have a hot potency.

Ashwagandha and tulsi both pacify Vata and Kapha dosha.6

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Why Ashwagandha And Tulsi Are Perfect Partners

There is a very important principle in Ayurveda that demonstrates why Ashwagandha and Tulsi work well together.

An increase in the quality and quantity of a substance or activity in the body is dependent upon the use of similar substances or activities. By ‘similar’ we mean, having the same properties.7

Ashwagandha and tulsi have similar properties and both are considered excellent adaptogens. By following the above-mentioned logic, these herbs can be taken together.

Research also proves that ashwagandha and tulsi have similar pharmacological effects.

Both have anti-stress,8, 9 adaptogenic,10, 11 anti-inflammatory,12, 13, antioxidant,14,15 antimicrobial activity,16, 17 analgesic,18, 19 anti-pyretic,20, 21 memory enhancing,22, 23 hepatoprotective,24, 25 antidiabetic,26, 27 antihypertensive/cardioprotective,28, 29 hypolipidemic,30, 31 immunomodulatory32, 33 activities.

Both Ashwagandha And Tulsi Relieve Stress

According to Ayurveda, Vata is the main dosha that is degraded by excessive physical stress.

Psychological stress like excitement and anxiety also leads to the disequilibrium of Vata dosha.34

The combination of ashwagandha and tulsi pacifies Vata. In combination, they are a better alternative for stress management than they are alone.

The Adrenal Glands

Modern research shows that stress and the adrenal glands are inextricably connected.

The adrenal glands produce cortisol, a stress hormone that is quicker to release than adrenaline. Keep a check on stress and cortisol levels to the extent that you can.

A constant release of cortisol chips away at health drastically.

Ashwagandha is a calming herb. It restores balance in the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) and increases resistance to stress in the body.35

Ashwagandha root extract reduces levels of serum cortisol, which is elevated in stressful conditions.36

It also has neuroprotective properties, relaxes frayed nerves, and tones the central nervous system to enhance tolerance to stress.37

Withanolides

The active constituent in Ashwagandha responsible for its anti-stress activity is the withanolides. They possess neuroprotective and anti-stress activity.

These extracts have been shown to increase the body’s resistance to stress and reduce physiological responses to stressful events.38

The anti-stress activity is also associated with glycosides (sitoindosides VII and VIII). These make ashwagandha an anti-stress adaptogen.39

Tulsi is regarded as an adaptogen or anti-stress agent as well. It’s used as a natural remedy for anxiety and stress.

Studies have shown that treatment with it is effective in treating noise-induced stress changes, including changes in cortisol levels.40

Tulsi has anti-hypoxic effects and it increases the survival time during anoxic stress. A study done on rabbits showed that Tulsi has a tremendous ability to reduce oxidative stress produced in the body.41

The active constituents in Tulsi are responsible for its anti-stress activity. Ursoli acid aids in lowering serum concentrations of cortisol which makes it effective in the management of stress.42

Ashwagandha And Tulsi Herbal Tea

ashwagandha and tulsi

Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tsp Ashwagandha root powder
  • 1/4 tsp Tulsi leaf powder
  • 2 cups water

Directions

  1. Take ashwagandha root powder (1/2 teaspoon) and tulsi leaf powder (1/4 teaspoon) in a ratio of 2:1 according to the desired number of cups of tea.
  2. Pour two cups of cold water into a pot and cover it. Add the herbal powders and slowly bring to a boil.
  3. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the water reduces to one-third. Turn off the heat and let steep for another 10 minutes, then strain.
  4. For sweetness, add sugar to taste.

This tea supports the adrenals.

Contraindications

Tulsi and ashwagandha are contraindicated if you have hypoglycemia, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor or health care provider before consuming herbal supplements.

Conclusion

Ashwagandha and tulsi being both adaptogens, have similar properties.

They are capable of increasing the body’s ability to resist and recover from fatigue, irritability, and stress, by balancing and reducing cortisol levels.

Ashwagandha and Tulsi, both has the ability to enhance memory, learning, and the ability to focus.

They can be taken together as they work synergistically in the body to achieve their therapeutic goals, supporting the health of the adrenal glands, balancing hormones, and reducing stress.

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Please consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before using either ashwagandha or tulsi. 

 

About the Author

Mallika Varma, holds a bachelor’s degree, B.A.M.S. from State  Ayurvedic college and Hospital, Lucknow and a postgraduate degree M.S. in Kshara Sutra Avum Anushastra Karma from Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic College, Tirupathi. She brings more than 7 years of experience in the field of Ayurveda.  She is specialized in Ayurvedic general surgery, parasurgical procedures (Kshara Jalauka, Siravedhyan, Agni Karma) and in the treatment of anorectal disorders. She is also experienced in the treatment of gastro, respiratory, genitourinary, skin and lifestyle disorders through natural herbal medicine, Yoga and Panchkarma. She has participated in many national and international seminars in the field of Ayurveda and has also presented best awarded papers on Ayurveda.

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version
Apr 05, 2018

Written By
Mallika Varma

Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Deepak Bhanot

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