Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) is sacred medicinal herb which is worshipped in India. The literal Sanskrit meaning of Tulsi is one that is beyond comparison. In Hinduism, tulsi is considered sacred and worshipped as goddess. Since Vedic times, tulsi is present in every Hindu home. The other few common names of this plants are Vishnupriya, Vrinda and Haripriya (beloved of Lord Vishnu). In month of Kartik women celebrates Tulsi-vivah.
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Tulsi is one of the commonest and greatest healing herb present in our house. It is regarded as queen of herbs. It has ability to cure diseases without any side effect. It is believed, regular chewing 5-10 leaves of tulsi plant helps to keep body diseases free. Mainly there are two common varieties of tulsi viz. Krishna or Shyama (Kali tulsi with purple leaves) and Rama or Sri (Hari tulsi with green leaves). Krishna tulsi has more medicinal value compare to rama tulsi. Due to its innumerable medicinal virtues it can be used in curing various diseases.
Tulsi leaves have hypocholesterolemic (lowering cholesterol), hypotriglyceridemic (lowering triglycerides), hepatoprotective (protecting liver), anti-inflammatory (preventing inflammation), and anti-oxidant effects.
General information
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom:Plantae
- (Unranked):Angiosperms
- (Unranked):Eudicots
- (Unranked):Asterids
- Order:Lamiales
- Family:Lamiaceae
- Genus:Ocimum
Species: Oscimum tenuiflorum, Oscimum sanctum
Binomial name: Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum L.
Distribution: Tulsi plant is found throughout India.
Latin Name: Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn., Ocimum sanctum Linn. Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Common names: Tulasi, Ajaka, Brinda, Manjari, Parnasa, Patrapuspha, Suvasa Tulasi, Krishna Tulasi, Sri Tulasi, Tulsi, Baranda, Kala Tulsi, Vrinda
English Name: Sacred Basil, Holy Basil.
Ayurvedic properties and action
- Rasa:Katu, Tikta, Kashaya
- Guna:Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
- Virya:Ushna (hot in potency)
- Vipaka:Katu
- Karma:Dipana, Hridya, Kaphahara, Ruchya, Vata-har, Pittavardhini, Durgandhi-hara
Constituents of Tulsi leaves
The leaves contains 0.7% volatile oil comprising about 71% eugenol and 20% methyl eugenol. The leaves also contain antioxidants and flavonoids.
Medicinal properties
- Antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral
- Analgesic and Antipyretic
- Liver protecting
- Memory improving
- Antidiabetic and antiulcer
- Antioxidant
- Adaptogenic
- Anticancer
- Immuno- modulator
- Antihypertensive and cardioprotective
Important Ayurvedic Formulation Tulsi containing
Tribhuvan kirti Rasa, Mukta Panchamrit Rasa, Manasamitra Vataka
Medicinal use of Tulasi
Improving strength, digestion
Chewing tulsi leaves empty stomach in morning improves body immunity and digestive power. It also improves memory, immunity and beneficial for whole body.
De-addiction
A person who is addicted to tobacco, alcohol, tea etc. should chew tulsi leaves with kali mirch, whenever he/she has urge for addicted substance.
Pimples, acne
Tulsi leaves effectively cures pimples and acne. You just need to make a paste of tulsi leaves with little amount of water. Apply this paste on pimple, acne affected area. Keep this for few minutes and then wash off with plain water. Do this once or twice a day regularly till pimples are cured.
Fever
Tulsi leaves have antibacterial and anti-viral properties. In months, when mosquito borne diseases (such as dengue and malaria) are prevalent, regular drinking of tulsi tea improves body immunity and may protect against diseases.
In dengue fever use of giloy and tulsi decoction effectively cures the fever. It also strengthens liver.
For general fever, tulsi leaves decoction with cardamom or dalchini can be prepared. This should be taken few times a day.
In chronic fever, 10 ml of tulsi leaves and mint leaves juice should be taken with misri.
Cold, cough, respiratory diseases
Tulsi leaves has expectorant properties. In cold cough, with 3 ml of ginger juice and 3 ml of tulsi leaves juice helps to give relief in cold and cough. Tulsi leaves juice with honey is also an effective remedy.
Sore throat
For sore throat, hot tulsi tea can be taken.
Tulsi for upper respiratory infections
Tulsi leaves helps in curing upper respiratory tract infections. Its leaves have anti-oxidant effects and improve body's immunity to fight against infections. This medicinal herb has immunomodulatory, antitussive, expectorant, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal activities. This makes it excellent herb in treating bronchitis, asthma, productive and dry cough. It is also useful in allergic recurrent respiratory infections.
For fever due to cough and respiratory infection, tulsi leaves decoction with salt is very effective. To prepare this decoction, take 10-15 tulsi leaves, 5 cloves and boil in a glass of water till volume reduces to half. Filter this add some sendha namak and drink hot. Drink 2-3 times a day.
Mental stress
Tulsi leaves have adaptogen properties. Adaptogen are natural substance that help the body adapt to stress caused due to variety of reasons. For this purpose, person should chew 15 tulsi leaves twice a day.
Oral infections
Tulsi leaves have antibacterial properties. Chewing leaves of tulsi helps to cure oral infections.
Leucoderma
Tulsi leaves are used to treat various skin disorders. In leucoderma, tulsi leaves are applied on affected skin patches. For this purpose, equal amount of tulsi leaves juice, lemon juice and kasundi leaves juice are taken. These are mixed and put in a brass vessel. This vessel is kept in sun for a day and then applied on affected skin area.
Wounds, insect bites, ring worm
Tulsi leaves juice is extracted and applied on wounds, insect bites for quicker healing.
Painful or difficult urination
In such case, person should drink 10 ml of tulsi juice mixed with 10 ml of lemon juice.
Improving fertility and semen in male, preventing premature ejaculation
Tulsi plant seeds are used for treating male reproductive system related problems. The seeds are taken fifty grams. These are mixed with 40 grams musali. Sixty grams of miri in powder form is also added. All three are mixed well. Regular intake of this powder (5 grams) improves semen quality and prevent premature ejaculation.
Tulsi use in diabetes
Tulsi lowers blood sugar level and improves glucose tolerance. In a clinical study Tulsi leaves powder has shown reduction in fasting blood sugar and postprandial glucose level in patients of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
Tulsi for free radical scavenging
Tulsi leaves are rich in essential oils. It contains eugenol which makes it good anti-oxidant.
How to take Tulsi
Tulsi fresh leaves, leaves powder, fresh leaves decoction, infusion can be used. Tulsi leaves powder is prepared by drying its leaves in shade and grinded to make powder. Various supplements that contain tulsi extracts are being manufactured and marketed by many pharmaceutical companies.