What is Tulsi?
- Ocimum sanctum Linn, tulsi or Holy basil, is an aromatic plant, native to the Indian Subcontinent and cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes.
- Tulsi has been revered in India for over five thousand years, as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an amazing number of health benefits.
- In ayurvedic medicine it is used to treat common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria.
- It is considered an excellent adaptogen, which helps the body adapt to stresses, restoring balance, and normalizing functions.
Why is Tulsi good for me?
More recently scientific research, has demonstrated several benefits of tulsi as being:
- antimicrobial
- adaptogenic
- antidiabetic
- hepato-protective
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-carcinogenic
- radioprotective
- immunomodulatory
- neuro-protective
- cardio-protective
- mosquito repellent
Important things to know about Tulsi:
- Tulsi has very low toxicity, providing general beneficial effects without adverse events.
- The tulsi leaves offer a rich source of essential oil, containing eugenol, nerol, camphor and a variety of terpenes and flavonoids.
- The oil is a strong antiseptic against many kinds of disease causing organisms.
How to use Tulsi?
Tulsi comes in the following forms:
- Teas (Organic India)
- Powder (Amritayu)
- Capsules (Organic India)
- Extract (Organic- Terra Firma)
Look for the dosing information on the product label of powders, capsules or extract.
Therapeutic use should be determined by your health practitioner.
Interesting facts about Tulsi
Tulsi has spiritual significance as well. In Hindu mythology, the plant is an incarnation of the goddess Tulsi, offering divine protection. Many Indian families keep a living Tulsi plant in their homes – tending to it with great care and reverence.
Some conditions that could benefit from Tulsi?
- bronchitis,
- bronchial asthma
- malaria
- diarrhea
- dysentery
- skin diseases
- arthritis
- painful eye diseases
- chronic fever
- insect bite
References:
- Mondal, S., Mirdha, B., Mahapatra, S.The science behind sacredness of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.). Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. (2009): New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- Prakash P., Gupta, N., Therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi). Department of Biochemistry, Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. (2005) Rishikesh, Dehradun: Seema Dental College & Hospital
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocimum_tenuiflorum
- http://www.chopra.com/