Tulsi - Holy Basil Benefits and Uses

Tulsi- most worshipped plant in Hindu culture. It has asuppressant. It work as appetizer and promotes
mythological background as tulsi is considered as lorddigestion by helping in secretion of digestive enzymes.
Krishna's wife. Literal meaning of tulsi is incomparableIt helps in preventing flatulence and avoids constipated
so as the name suggest, it really has properties thatstool. It also keeps check on any infection that might
are incomparable with any other herb. Every thinginvade our digestive system. Tulsi is also seen very
mentioned in Indian mythology has a scientificuseful in heart disease. It provides strength to heart
background. So as the culture of planting tulsi in centerand helps in proper working. It also helps to detoxify
of court yard in Hindu homes. It is a strong belief thatany toxin that might be circulating through our body via
those who plant tulsi in there houses never get ill, as itblood thereby have the property to purify blood.
is very lovable to lord Krishna and lord Krishna hasTulsi finds great importance in respiratory tract disease.
blessed this herb with this property.It gives marvelous results in upper respiratory tract
Scientific reason of this story is that tulsi contains suchinfection (URTI). As mentioned earlier that it acts
a chemical composition that no mosquitoes and fliesrigorously on kapha hence it works as good
can come near the plant because of it s peculiar odor.expectorant relieving from wet cough. It also finds its
Thereby by planting tulsi in courtyard prevents entry ofgood use in bronchitis and asthmatic conditions. It helps
these creatures in house thus rendering home safeto fight the cause of allergy by which our respiratory
from any diseases caused by these organisms.tract gets inflamed and then resolves the causative
Biological name of tulsi is Ocimum sanctum and inagent. Good results have also been seen in
common English language it is called holy basil. Thisanti-tubercular treatment as it works as antibiotic
herb is commonly found everywhere in India. Planteliminating the bacteria. It also shows good results in
height varies from 2 - 4 ft. It flowers in winter seasonchest pains. Tulsi finds great use in fever as it act as
i.e. about December to February. It contains someantipyretic, pain reliever, and provides strength to our
biological active chemical compounds like ursolic acid,body.
luteolin and apigenin extracted from leaves. Herb hasSome beneficial results were also seen in diabetes
katu and tickt rasa predominance. It is ushan (hot) viryaand micturation related problems. It also acts as an
in potency. It has laghu (light) and ruksh (dry) properties.antidote for many poisons. Tulsi is known to possess
Its major act is of as krimighan (anti bacterial and antianti-cancerous properties.
parasitic). Plant parts used are leaves, flower, seedsSome home remedies for tulsi:
and root.· Power of seed of tulsi when taken with water
Tulsi is being used in variety of herbal ayurvedicgives great results in menstrual disorder
formulations. Most dominantly it is used in bronchitis and· Root of tulsi is powdered and kept overnight in
asthmatic conditions. It gives great relief in coughwater, if taken daily early morning proves to be very
especially one predominated by kapha.beneficial in diabetes.
Tulsi because of its great healing property has been· Tulsi juice drops are very effective in earache.
indicated in variety of diseases. Being ushan (hot) in· Tulsi juice when mixed with ginger juice is very
potency it is regarded as vata and kapha suppressant,effective in abdominal disorder in children
hence all the diseases caused by vata and kapha can· Powder of tulsi leaves added with saunth (dried
be treated with the help of tulsi.ginger) and sugar when taken with hot water is a
As we begin with the skin problems, as mentionedfamous 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 act oneffective remedy for hair lice problem.
nervous system providing them strength, relieves· It is said that if one tulsi leaf if swallowed daily, that
stress and also helps in relieving pain, as it is vataperson never suffers from cancer.