Original Tulsi

Note: My review is for the loose leaf and not the teabag form of this.

I decided to pick this up at Whole Foods tonight. Seeing as how I have wasted a bunch of money on tulsi blends I didn’t really like or care for, I figure why not just drink it straight and see what it’s like. D’oh!

This is a blend of three different tulsis and it is very nice. It is has an aromatic aroma like cloves but the flavor of the tea is a bit minty/herbaly with some pepper element. I am feeling a bit of “bite” on my tongue as I sip this. It also has a slightly cooling effect.

Still, I can see the possibilities of making my own nighttime blend, possibly with some chamomile or verbena, if I didn’t want to drink this plain. I do like various herbal teas and I think this is nice on its’ own – so I will probably not spend much more money on other tulsi type stuff for a while. =)

Hooray for stress reduction!

BB # 8 for today

Just when I think plain tulsi might bore me – I find a nice, straight-up Tulsi that surprises and satisfies me. It’s comforting and easy to sip. It’s sweet basil-esque but not overly herbally or medicinal tasting. It has that bit of freshness like mint but isn’t peperminty, per say.

This is a mighty fine organic tulsi – all by itself – and darn impressive for a bagged tulsi at that!

Thanks to Amy Oh for a sample of this tea!

Yesterday, I had too much caffeine and I hadn’t had a run in a while so I had too much energy in my system. I thought it would be a good time to give some of this herb a try! Well, I wasn’t sure how much leaf to use to I ended up using waaay too much. Urgh.

This morning, I made it again with only 3/4 tsp of leaf for my mug. Perfect! Very herbal and cooling. And spicy! I wonder how this herb is fresh? I bet it’s awesome! Anyway, I’m a fan. :)

While browsing the tea aisle at Whole Foods (aka “Whole Paycheck” :P), I tossed this and Rishi’s Ginger Pu-erh into my basket.

I’ve read good things about the restorative powers of tulsi as well as these amazing properties:

“…reduces stress, enhances stamina, relieves inflammation, lowers cholesterol, eliminates toxins, protects against radiation, prevents gastric ulcers, lowers fevers, improves digestion and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients. Tulsi is especially effective in supporting the heart, blood vessels, liver and lungs and also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.”

What a magical herb, eh? ;)

The scent is spicy like cloves and cinnamon but the taste is so mild—mild but not wimpy—there’s a nice peppery, tannic bite. It’s slightly sweet with just a hint of clove-like flavor. I sense licorice too.

I like this. Even in its mellowness, I find it pretty good. I love the aroma. And, perhaps it’s the power of suggestion, but I can feel myself unwind already. The stresses of the week seem to be melting away… :)

I bet this would taste even better (and stronger) in the loose-leaf version. But, sadly, it wasn’t available at the store.

This is my first time trying tulsi of any kind. I kept reading the paeans GMathis wrote on its benefits, but I never thought to pick it up. Today, my daughter’s orthodontist appointment took me very close to our health food store. I used my few minutes to pick up a box of tulsi and some loose lavender flowers.

Husband and I each had a cup of this. I am so sleepy because I didn’t sleep but four hours last night and it has been a very stressful couple of days. I don’t know yet if this is reducing stress, but I can comment on the taste,

I don’t do a lot of herbals, and I do not like rooibos. Tis, however, is very nice and drinkable, even tasty. I made the mistake (or not) of making a cup of lavender tea at the same time and had just brushed my teeth, but the aroma of the two cups and the taste reminded of Yogi’s Bedtime tea, sans the super sweet licorice root. I don’t know if it was the tulsi or the lavender bringing it to mind, though.

I can say that if this is really good for me and also truly helps alleviate stress, it will be a pleasure to drink it, rather than an effort. This is tasty, and I hope to find sme loose leaf tulsi soon. I was surprised that there was none in the bulk bins.

Thank you, GMathis, for the recommendation of tulsi and buying lavender from the bulk bins! It is quite a savings over how I bought it before.

tulsi thief! tulsi thief!

i must say, it’s nice to drink something so fresh tasting and clarifying in the late afternoon. the fact that tulsi is stress relieving might actually be accurate! who’da thunk?

i like this.

I’ve just discovered my new favorite tea, I love the gentle influence of tranquility this tea induces. Nice spicy, mint type of flavor. I really like when tea is good by it’s self, no additives needed. Tea leaves and hot water. What a gift.

Minty, lemony, abit of cinnamon and clove? or maybe a bit medicinal? Light and refreshing hot, awful cold, no flavor.

I wanted to try this in the original, with no “chai” or other extras to distract. Very herby in aroma and taste. Slightly lemony, with a hint of a basil/herb scent. I drink it plain and quite like it.

I LOVE basil, so I had to try this tea. I’m not sure if the water is too hot when I steep it, or if I’m steeping it too long (which is already maybe three minutes) but it goes from a nice light lime green to a light brown color. The scent is definitely basil, flavor seems like a bit of lemon myrtle with GREEN BEANS which is another thing I love actually. I’ll have to fine tune this one and see what it is like when the water isn’t so hot, though I did leave the boiled water sitting there for a bit. I’d love for it to keep that light green color while still having some flavor.

Cinnamon, spice, peppery, nice. Like this as part of a mix with chamomile and hibiscus, or by itself.

Lots going on in this one. Spicy, herb-y, peppery… I smelled cloves in the aroma but didn’t taste much in the tea itself. Not a knockout, or a really memorable tea, but a good everyday blend.

I wish it would have been a bit stronger, but was worried about it going bitter with a longer steep- seemed like it was on the edge when I tasted it. Might try two teabags for intensity next time.

Not bad. Probably wouldn’t drink just for the taste of it. But it’s holy basil!

this tea is refreshing.

I like it even without honey.

Very refreshing.