Tulsi (Holy Basil) - Benefits and Uses

Most worshipped plant in Hindu culture. It has adigestion by helping in secretion of digestive enzymes.
mythological background as tulsi is considered as lordIt helps in preventing flatulence and avoids
Krishna's wife. Literal meaning of tulsi is incomparableconstipated stool. It also keeps check on any
so as the name suggest, it really has properties thatinfection that might invade our digestive system. Tulsi
are incomparable with any other herb. Every thingis also seen very useful in heart disease. It provides
mentioned in Indian mythology has a scientificstrength to heart and helps in proper working. It also
background. So as the culture of planting tulsi inhelps to detoxify any toxin that might be circulating
center of court yard in Hindu homes. It is a strongthrough our body via blood thereby have the
belief that those who plant tulsi in there housesproperty to purify blood.
never get ill, as it is very lovable to lord Krishna andTulsi finds great importance in respiratory tract
lord Krishna has blessed this herb with this property.disease. It gives marvelous results in upper
Scientific reason of this story is that tulsi containsrespiratory tract infection (URTI). As mentioned
such a chemical composition that no mosquitoes andearlier that it acts rigorously on kapha hence it works
flies can come near the plant because of it s peculiaras good expectorant relieving from wet cough. It
odor. Thereby by planting tulsi in courtyard preventsalso finds its good use in bronchitis and asthmatic
entry of these creatures in house thus renderingconditions. It helps to fight the cause of allergy by
home safe from any diseases caused by thesewhich our respiratory tract gets inflamed and then
organisms.resolves the causative agent. Good results have also
Biological name of tulsi is Ocimum sanctum and inbeen seen in anti-tubercular treatment as it works as
common English language it is called holy basil. Thisantibiotic eliminating the bacteria. It also shows good
herb is commonly found everywhere in India. Plantresults in chest pains. Tulsi finds great use in fever as
height varies from 2 - 4 ft. It flowers in winterit act as antipyretic, pain reliever, and provides
season i.e. about December to February. It containsstrength to our body.
some biological active chemical compounds like ursolicSome beneficial results were also seen in diabetes
acid, luteolin and apigenin extracted from leaves. Herband micturation related problems. It also acts as an
has katu and tickt rasa predominance. It is ushanantidote for many poisons. Tulsi is known to possess
(hot) virya in potency. It has laghu (light) and rukshanti-cancerous properties.
(dry) properties. Its major act is of as krimighan (antiSome home remedies for tulsi.
bacterial and anti parasitic). Plant parts used are· Power of seed of tulsi when taken with
leaves, flower, seeds and root.water gives great results in menstrual disorder
Tulsi is being used in variety of herbal ayurvedic· Root of tulsi is powdered and kept
formulations. Most dominantly it is used in bronchitisovernight in water, if taken daily early morning
and asthmatic conditions. It gives great relief in coughproves to be very beneficial in diabetes.
especially one predominated by kapha.· Tulsi juice drops are very effective in
Tulsi because of its great healing property has beenearache.
indicated in variety of diseases. Being ushan (hot) in· Tulsi juice when mixed with ginger juice is
potency it is regarded as vata and kaphavery effective in abdominal disorder in children.
suppressant, hence all the diseases caused by vata· Powder of tulsi leaves added with saunth
and kapha can be treated with the help of tulsi.(dried ginger) and sugar when taken with hot water
As we begin with the skin problems, as mentionedis a famous remedy for fever.
earlier it acts as anti bacterial and anti parasitic,· A Tulsi seed processed in castor oil is very
therefore is widely used in infectious diseases. It acteffective remedy for hair lice problem.
on nervous system providing them strength, relieves· It is said that if one tulsi leaf if swallowed
stress and also helps in relieving pain, as it is vatadaily, that person never suffers from cancer.
suppressant. It work as appetizer and promotes