What are the risks of consuming tulsi leaves?
Tulsi, or holy basil, is a popular herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has high medicinal value and can be a great addition to any diet. However, there are certain individuals who should not eat tulsi leaves, as it may cause adverse side effects.
- People with high blood pressure: Tulsi may have an effect on the cardiovascular system and may interfere with the effectiveness of other medications prescribed for high blood pressure.
- Children under 12 years old: Tulsi leaves contain essential oils that may be too strong for small children’s digestive systems and can cause adverse side effects like nausea, vomiting, and stomach ache.
- Pregnant Women: Tulsi contains an active chemical called eugenol which may act as a uterine stimulant and cause premature labor or miscarriage. It is best for pregnant women to avoid taking tulsi leaves in any form.
- People taking hormone medications: Tulsi contains estrogen-like compounds called phytoestrogens which may interact with hormones related to fertility treatments or other medications taken as part of gender transition therapy and could interfere with their effectiveness.
- Those with kidney disorders: The interaction between tulsi leaves and some kidney-related drugs can result in toxic levels of medication building up in the body and causing serious harm.
- Allergic individuals: Some people experience allergic reactions when consuming tulsi leaf due to their oil components, such as itchiness or hives all over the body. If these symptoms appear after eating tulsi leaves then an individual should seek medical help immediately to mitigate any further complications from this reaction.
- Diabetic individuals: Tulsi contains glycosides which are compounds that might affect blood sugar levels if taken in larger quantities than recommended dosage by a doctor/specialist/ nutritionist etc, so anyone suffering from diabetes should avoid consuming tulsi unless approved by their doctor.
Also, see why men should not consume tulsi.
