Holy Basil vs L-Theanine – Which One Should You Take?

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Holy Basil and L-Theanine are awesome supplements and I’m a big fan of them both.

But as they’re quite similar, it can be hard for some folks to decide between them.

Well if that’s you, then you’ve come to the right place.

This is exactly why I started this Supplement Comparison Series!

In this series, I put 2 supplements up against each other and compare their pros, cons, cost, and much more.

All so you can make a more informed decision.

Up next, we have Holy Basil vs L-Theanine.

Let’s get started.

What is Holy Basil?

Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum) is a leafy, green plant native to India that’s been used to promote health for thousands of years.

Otherwise known as Tulsi, Holy Basil has spiritual importance in Ayurveda and is one of the most sacred herbs in the eyes of Hindus.

In fact, Hindus see Holy Basil as the plant manifestation of Lakshimi – the Hindu Goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity.

What is L-Theanine?

L-Theanine is an amino acid known for its calming properties.

It’s found in abundance in tea leaves, and so for most people, tea is the most common source of L-Theanine.

L-Theanine is among my favorite nootropics as it’s safe, healthy, and effective.

Benefits

Benefits of Holy Basil

Holy Basil may help improve sleep quality

Many people have a messed up Cortisol-Melatonin cycle nowadays.

In other words, their Cortisol is high in the evening and lower in the morning.

But this is the OPPOSITE of how nature intends.

The reasons for this are varied, but one of the biggest culprits is the use of electronic screens at night.

These blue light emitting devices can spike your Cortisol levels while lowering Melatonin, which can have an adverse effect on your sleep.

(It’s why I recommend turning off all electronic devices at least an hour before you go to bed.)

Research has shown that Holy Basil can help lower your Cortisol levels, which will help your sleep.

Holy Basil may help improve concentration

We could spend hours debating whether Social Media has had a positive or negative effect on society.

But one thing we can all agree on is that Social Media destroys your attention span.

Just look around you…

Most people can’t go more than 30 seconds without refreshing their Instagram feeds.

So with Social Media staying with us for the near future, many people look towards herbal supplements to increase their attention span.

Well, research shows that Holy Basil can help improve attention and short-term memory.

Holy Basil may help lower blood sugar levels

If you want to have stable energy levels throughout the day, you ought to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

But with so many people binging on junk food, it can be hard to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

And this is where Holy Basil shines.

In a study of type 2 diabetics, Holy Basil lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 18% and post-meal blood sugar levels by 7%.

Holy Basil may help improve anxiety

Let me share a shocking fact with you.

More than 40 million US adults suffer from anxiety disorders.

(This makes anxiety the most common mental illness in America.)

Now for the more positive news…

Holy Basil has been used in some clinical trials for anxiety and has shown some exciting results.

In one study, anxiety patients took 1g of Holy Basil each day for 60 days.

By the end of the study, the subjects reported less stress, anxiety, and depression.

Benefits of L-Theanine

L-Theanine may help improve sleep quality

Over the last year or so, I’ve tried various supplements to improve my sleep, including:

• Holy Basil
• L-Theanine
• Phosphatidylserine
• California Poppy Extract

My sleep was amazing when taking either Holy Basil with Phosphatidylserine, or L-Theanine on its own.

(I wasn’t impressed by California Poppy Extract.)

I measure my sleep quality on how deep my sleep is, and how long it takes me to fall asleep.

L-Theanine improved both these metrics for me.

L-Theanine may help tame caffeine jitters

Nothing comes close to that first sip of coffee in the morning.

You know. The one that puts a smile on your face even if it’s a Monday.

But sometimes, the caffeine rush that follows can be unbearable.

It can make me feel irritable, anxious, and jittery.

But ever since taking L-Theanine with my morning coffee, these effects are hardly noticeable.

L-Theanine may help enhance mental function

According to research, L-Theanine may help boost mental function.

It seems to work by amplifying your alpha brain waves, which enhances creativity.

Cost

Holy Basil Cost

Holy Basil is sold in various forms, including tea, powder, tablets and essential oil.

Standard prices for these are:

• Tablets: $17 for 100
• Powder: $20 for 1lb
• Loose leaf tea: $30 for 1lb
• Essential Oil: $15 for 1/3 Oz

L-Theanine Cost

L-Theanine is usually sold as a powder or in capsules.

Some typical prices for these are:

• Powder: $10 for 100g
• Capsules: $20 for 100

Side Effects

Holy Basil Side Effects

Holy Basil may slow blood clotting, which may increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. So, it’s advised to stop using Holy Basil at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Also, since Holy Basil may lower blood sugar levels, those who are diabetic or are taking blood sugar lowering medication should consult a doctor before taking Holy Basil.

L-Theanine Side Effects

Most healthy adults can tolerate L-Theanine supplements with minimal fuss.

But those who drink tea to get their L-Theanine may experience the following effects if drinking too much:

• Nausea
• Irritability
• Stomach upset

Recommendations

My Holy Basil Recommendation: Banyan Botanicals Tulsi

Overview

Banyan Botanicals Tulsi has been my #1 source of Holy Basil for over a year now.

Since I started taking this supplement, my sleep quality has skyrocketed.

What I like about it

I love that each ingredient is natural and organic, making this one of the purest, safest, and cleanest Holy Basil supplements on the market.

Also, just a quick look at the epic reviews show that is an effective supplement that many others are using with great results.

(Myself included!)

And as a bonus, Banyan Botanicals support local farmers and use environmentally friendly farming methods. So by purchasing this supplement, you’re doing your bit to help humanity.

Potential Drawbacks

While it’s not expensive by any means, there are certainly cheaper alternatives out there.

Check price and read more reviews of Banyan Botanicals Tulsi on Amazon.

My L-Theanine Recommendation: Nootropic Depot L-Theanine Powder

Overview

A long-lasting L-Theanine supplement in powdered form.

Ideal for those who enjoy the freedom to choose how much L-Theanine they want to take.

What I like about it

Generally, my favorite type of supplements are those that are powdered and pure. Because you’re free to experiment with the dose, and these are the “cleanest”.

Nootropics Depot L-Theanine Powder ticks both these boxes.

And with each tub providing 2500 servings, you only need to buy this once to have high quality L-Theanine for literally years to come.

Potential Drawbacks

While I prefer powdered supplements, I appreciate that some people are more suited to capsules.

If that’s you, then you may want to look elsewhere.

Check price and read more reviews of Nootropics Depot L-Theanine on Amazon.

Holy Basil vs  L-Theanine: The Verdict

Thanks for staying with me to the end of this Holy Basil vs L-Theanine face off.

I hope it’s been an enjoyable read and you’ve learned something new.

By now, most of you should know exactly which one you’re going to use and have awesome results with.

But if you’re still on the fence, then here’s what I’d go with:

You might prefer Holy Basil if:

• You suffer from anxiety
• You want to lower your blood sugar levels

You might prefer L-Theanine if:

• You love coffee but hate the caffeine rush
• You want to improve your mental function

Hope this helped!