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Tulsi (Holy Basil) at a Glance
A fragrant home-grown botanical with a long history in traditional Indian herbal practice, Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as Holy Basil, is commonly prepared as a warm aromatic herbal infusion and enjoyed on its own or blended with complementary botanicals.
Botanical
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Plant Part
Dried Herb
Grown, harvested and gently dried by Flowers from my Meadow in South Africa.
Preparation
Herbal Infusion
Steep 1–2 teaspoons in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes before straining.
Flavour
Warm & Herbaceous
Naturally aromatic with gently earthy and subtly spicy notes.
Naturally
Caffeine-Free
A naturally caffeine-free botanical infusion for tea and creative herbal blending.
Packed in South Africa
20 g
Carefully packed by Flowers from my Meadow for your home botanical apothecary.
Who Is Tulsi (Holy Basil) For?
Tulsi is a wonderfully versatile botanical for anyone who enjoys aromatic herbal teas, traditional plants and simple botanical rituals. Its warm, herbaceous character makes it equally enjoyable on its own or as part of a loose-leaf blend.
For the Herbal Tea Drinker
Text: Enjoy Tulsi as a simple herbal infusion with a naturally warm, aromatic and herbaceous character.
For the Botanical Explorer
Discover Ocimum tenuiflorum, an aromatic member of the mint family with a rich history in traditional Indian botanical practices.
For the Home Tea Blender
Combine Tulsi with complementary leaves, flowers, roots and spices to create your own loose-leaf botanical blends.
For the Caffeine-Free Cup
Choose Tulsi when you want a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion with plenty of botanical character.
For the Garden-to-Cup Enthusiast
Experience a botanical grown, harvested and gently dried by Flowers from my Meadow in South Africa.
For the Everyday Ritual
Keep preparation simple — measure the dried herb, add freshly boiled water and allow its aromatic character to unfold as it steeps.
Tulsi (Holy Basil) Botanical Profile
Meet the remarkable plant behind this traditional dried botanical and discover the characteristics that make Mullein so distinctive.
Common Name:
Tulsi / Holy Basil
Scientific Name:
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Plant Family:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Aromatic herbaceous plant
Part Used:
Whole Dried Plant. The leaves, stems and flowering parts are harvested and gently dried for botanical use.
Botanical Character:
An aromatic, branching plant with opposite green leaves, softly toothed margins and upright flowering spikes bearing small pale flowers, often accompanied by purple-toned stems and floral structures.
Flavour & Aroma:
Warm, herbaceous and aromatic with gently earthy, green and subtly spicy notes.
Traditional Context:
Tulsi has been cultivated for centuries and holds an important place within traditional Indian botanical culture, where the aromatic plant has been prepared in teas and a variety of traditional preparations.
Botanical Origin:
Native to the Indian subcontinent and now cultivated in warm regions around the world. Our Tulsi is grown, harvested and gently dried by Flowers from my Meadow in South Africa.
Naturally Caffeine-Free:
Mullein contains no traditional tea leaves and the prepared botanical infusion is naturally free from caffeine.
How to Brew Tulsi Tea
Tulsi makes a wonderfully aromatic herbal infusion with a warm, herbaceous and gently earthy character. A simple covered steep allows the natural aroma of the whole dried plant to unfold in the cup.
As the dried Tulsi steeps, its warm botanical aroma and softly herbaceous character gradually unfold into the infusion.
Measure
Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried Tulsi to a cup or teapot.
Add Hot Water
Pour freshly boiled water over the dried botanical.
Cover & Steep
Cover and allow to steep for 5–10 minutes, depending on your preferred strength.
Strain & Enjoy
Strain before serving and enjoy warm, or allow the infusion to cool for a refreshing botanical tea.
Tulsi has a naturally warm, aromatic and herbaceous flavour. Enjoy it on its own or experiment with complementary botanicals to create your own loose-leaf blends.
THE MEADOW KITCHEN
Beautiful Ways to Use Tulsi
Tulsi’s warm, aromatic and gently herbaceous character makes it a beautiful botanical to explore beyond a simple cup of tea. From refreshing drinks to fragrant syrups and delicate bakes, discover four simple ways to bring Tulsi into the kitchen.
Tulsi, Lemon & Honey Iced Tea
A refreshing botanical iced tea combining aromatic Tulsi with bright lemon and a touch of honey.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp dried Tulsi
- 500 ml freshly boiled water
- 1–2 tbsp honey
- ½ fresh lemon, sliced
- Ice
Method
Steep the Tulsi in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes. Strain and stir in the honey while warm. Allow to cool completely, add the lemon slices and serve over ice.
Tulsi & Ginger Botanical Syrup
A fragrant homemade syrup combining the herbaceous character of Tulsi with warming fresh ginger.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp dried Tulsi
- 20 g fresh ginger, sliced
- 250 ml water
- 200 g sugar
Method
Combine the water, ginger and sugar in a small saucepan and gently simmer until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat, add the Tulsi and cover for 10 minutes. Strain, cool and refrigerate in a clean sealed bottle.
Tulsi, Lime & Cucumber Cooler
A crisp botanical cooler pairing aromatic Tulsi with fresh cucumber and zesty lime.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp dried Tulsi
- 400 ml freshly boiled water
- ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- Ice
- Honey to taste, optional
Method
Steep the Tulsi for 5–10 minutes and strain. Allow to cool completely. Add the cucumber and lime, chill and serve over plenty of ice.
Tulsi & Lemon Shortbread
Delicate buttery shortbread lightly scented with dried Tulsi and fresh lemon zest.
Ingredients
- 125 g butter, softened
- 60 g caster sugar
- 180 g flour
- 1 tsp finely crushed dried Tulsi
- Zest of 1 lemon
Method
Cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in the Tulsi and lemon zest, then gently incorporate the flour to form a soft dough. Shape, chill and cut into biscuits. Bake at 170°C for 12–15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
From refreshing botanical drinks to fragrant syrups and delicate bakes, Tulsi brings its warm, herbaceous character into the kitchen in beautifully simple ways.
GOOD TO KNOW
Questions About Tulsi
Curious about Tulsi? Here are simple answers to some of the questions we’re most often asked about this distinctive traditional botanical.
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Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is an aromatic plant in the mint family. Our Tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum, a botanical with a long history in traditional Indian culture and herbal preparations.
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Yes. Holy Basil is a common English name for Tulsi. Our dried botanical is specifically Ocimum tenuiflorum.
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Yes. Tulsi's aromatic, herbaceous character makes it suitable for loose-leaf blending with complementary flowers, leaves, roots and spices according to your preferred flavour.
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Flowers from my Meadow offers 20 g resealable pouches of home-grown dried Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as Holy Basil, packed in South Africa.
Still have a question?
We’re always happy to help. If there’s something you’d like to know about Tulsi, its preparation or how to use it, get in touch with us.
Ask Us a QuestionOUR QUALITY PROMISE
Botanicals, Kept Pure & Uncomplicated
We believe beautiful botanicals need very little interference. Our approach is simple: thoughtfully selected plant material, careful handling and honest information about what you’re bringing into your home.
Thoughtfully Selected
Botanicals chosen with attention to quality, appearance and suitability for their intended use.
Carefully Handled
Handled and packed with care to help preserve the natural character of each botanical.
Pure & Uncomplicated
Simple botanicals without unnecessary additions, presented as close to their natural form as possible.
Packed in South Africa
Carefully packed by Flowers from my Meadow in South Africa.
From our meadow to your home, with care.
CONTINUE YOUR BOTANICAL JOURNEY
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