Holy Basil (Tulsi) Seeds, Ocimum sanctum

Tulsi (Holy Basil) is a fabulous culinary herb and is said to settle the stomach and clear the mind. It is often used in Thai cuisine, where it is prized for its spicy, pungent flavour. It’s also used in Ayurveda as a treatment for many different ailments.

GROW: Since tulsi is a tropical plant, it requires warm temperatures to germinate and should be kept in a place that’s at least 22 degrees. If your house is particularly cool, consider using a seedling heat mat to warm soil temperatures.

HARVEST: Once your plant is over 30cm tall, you can harvest the leaves with a pair of scissors and use them fresh or dried.

USE: Tulsi is widely used as an essential oil, a herbal tea or as an alternative to coffee. The dried leaves can even be used as an insect repellent.