Plant atlas Short
A Concentrated Form of Holy Basil Lowered Cortisol Once
Holy Basil (Hot Basil) · กะเพรา · Ocimum tenuiflorum
Holy Basil (Hot Basil) — กะเพรา (ka-phrao) — Ocimum tenuiflorum.
In a randomized controlled trial, a holy basil extract lowered cortisol and stress scores. The study tested an extract; Thai cooking uses the leaves. They provide vitamin K, beta-carotene, manganese, and iron. Pad Ka-phrao Gai wilts the peppery leaves into minced chicken, garlic, and chilies, while Gaeng Pa Gai adds them to a coconut-free jungle curry. Cook the leaves with a little oil to help absorb their fat-soluble carotenoids, and stop concentrated supplements before surgery unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Pad Kra Pao Gai — ผัดกะเพราไก่ (pad-kra-pao-gai)
Gaeng Pa Gai — แกงป่าไก่ (gaeng-pa-gai)
Food and nutrients
Rich in: vitamin K, vitamin A (beta-carotene), manganese, iron
Research context
Holy basil lowered cortisol and stress scores in a trial — Frontiers in Nutrition, 2022
Sources
Source: Lopresti AL et al. (2022). RCT of O. tenuiflorum on stress/mood/sleep. Front Nutr 9:965130. DOI:10.3389/fnut.2022.965130
Narration transcript
Opening
Real pad kra pao runs on this peppery, clove-warm basil, hot and almost medicinal raw, turning deeply fragrant the second it hits a screaming wok. Many kitchens abroad swap in sweet Thai basil, but the dish is named for this leaf. Holy basil — กะเพรา, ka-phrao. You eat the leaves, wilted into minced meat with garlic and chili.
Pad Kra Pao Gai (ผัดกะเพราไก่)
Pad kra pao gai is a classic Thai stir-fry that tosses minced chicken, garlic, and chilies with fragrant holy basil, served over jasmine rice with a fried egg.
Gaeng Pa Gai (แกงป่าไก่)
Gaeng pa gai is a fiery, coconut-free Thai jungle curry loaded with herbs, chicken, and peppery holy basil, served hot with steamed jasmine rice.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting and helps maintain healthy bones, working alongside calcium in your body.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A contributes to normal vision and helps maintain healthy skin and surface tissues.
Manganese
Manganese helps the body use food for energy and maintain normal connective tissue.
Iron
Iron is part of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in your blood, and it supports normal energy metabolism.
Closing
Pinch off the flower spikes and holy basil keeps pushing out new leaves for months. It can slow blood clotting, so ease off large medicinal amounts about two weeks before surgery or if you are on blood thinners. Follow Longevity Biome, and LIKE this video for regular updates.
Related playlists
Keep watching
