The Holy Basil

Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hindu belief. It is also known as Holy basil and its scientific name is Ocimum tenuiflorum. Hindus regard it as an earthly expression of the goddess Tulsi, better half of the god Vishnu. Many people have tulsi plants growing in front of their home. Traditionally,
Tulsi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses.  Offering of its leaves is mandatory in ritualistic worship of Vishnu and his forms like Krishna and Vithoba.

Tulsi is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes and for its essential oil. It is widely known across the India as a medicinal plant and a herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda. It has a number of medicinal benefits.

Basil makes a good medicine for headache. It is also used for getting relief from heat and for providing coolness in general. It is one of the many herbs which help to control blood sugar levels. It reduces the blood sugar levels by causing a sudden or drastic drop. The anti-oxidants present in Tulsi help in balancing different processes of the body.

Drinking Tulsi extract daily smooths the nervous system and helps to relieve stress. The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory.
Tender Tulsi leaves boiled in water act as a preventive against malaria and dengue fever. The leaves are also useful in treating teeth disorders. Tulsi leaves dried and powdered can be used for brushing teeth.

Basil juice is an effective cure for sore eyes and night blindness which is generally caused by lack of Vitamin A. Two drops of basil juice can work wonders for the eyes. It soothes eyes and reduces stress. It can also protect from conjunctivitis, boils and other problems of the eyes which are caused mainly due to bacterial and fungal infections by washing eyes with water soaked in tulsi leaves.

It is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu. Rubbing finely powdered dry tulsi on the face like a loose powder adds glow to the face glow and removes dark spots from the face and regular massage of tulsi oil in your scalp energizes you and your hair.

Apart from all these benefits, it has been recently discovered that tulsi has environmental benefits too. Tulsi apparently gives out oxygen for 20 hours and ozone for 4 hours along with the formation of nascent oxygen which absorbs harmful gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the environment.

Plant one Tulsi in your vicinity and save yourself from a number of diseases.

Click here for government certifications