Tulsi has been called the Queen of Herbs in Ayurvedic tradition for thousands of years, and Kapoor is the variety most prized for medicinal use — compact, intensely aromatic, green-leaved with a fruity, clove-forward fragrance that stops you the moment you brush past it. In Ayurveda it sits at the center of daily wellness practice: an adaptogen that helps the body regulate stress, an immunomodulator, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory all at once. The research backs the tradition — studies have documented its effects on cortisol, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and respiratory health. It's primarily used as tea, steeped fresh or dried, and the flavor is genuinely good — peppery, floral, slightly sweet. It also has a long history of spiritual significance in Hindu practice, where growing and tending it is considered an act of devotion. In Zone 8 and colder, it grows as a warm-season annual — start it after last frost in full sun, keep it well-watered, pinch the flowers to extend leaf production, and let it self-seed for next year. Deer and rabbits leave it alone. Pollinators love the flowers when you do let it bloom. Latin Name: Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. O. sanctum), Kapoor variety Light: Full sun Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile; adaptable Water: Consistent moisture; at least 1 inch per week Mature Size: 18–24 inches tall Bloom Time: Summer; pinch flowers to extend leaf harvest Hardiness Zone: Grown as annual in Zone 8a; perennial only in Zone 10+ Wildlife Value: Attracts bees and butterflies; deer and rabbit resistant Medicinal/Culinary: Adaptogen; used for stress, immunity, respiratory health, blood sugar regulation, and inflammation; primary preparation is tea; also used in Thai cuisine and herbal infusions ⚠️ Note: May interact with blood thinners and diabetes medications; avoid in pregnancy in therapeutic doses ⚠️ Research thoroughly and consult a qualified herbalist for therapeutic use.
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