Common name:  Holy Basil/Tulsi

Botanical name:  Ocimum sanctum

Family: Lamiaceae

 The Plant:-  Holy Basil is a many branched, erect stout and aromatic herb. It grows up to the height of about 75cms and is hairy  all over.  The plant has tender leaves, usually smooth, up to 2.5 cm in length. The herb is bitter and pungent. The holy basil is native to India.

Parts used:- The Leaves and  flowering tops of Tulsi are used  for medicines.  Medicinally, it has many of the same properties as other mint species, demonstrating an antimicrobial effect. The essential oil has been found to have antibacterial, anti-yeast, and insecticidal action.

Habitat:- Basil is one of the most popular herbs grown in the world. It is native to Asia (India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand and other countries) and can be found growing wild in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Because of its popularity, basil is often referred to as the “king of the herbs”.

Constituents:- (a) Basil is a good source of beta carotene, calcium, vitamin C. Basil contains volatile oil (1% including estragol, linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol and small quantities of methyl cinnamate, cineole, and other terpenes), tannins, basil camphor, flavonoids.

(b) Holy Basil also contains flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin), triterpene: urolic acid

          Medicinal         Uses

Anxiety & Stress:- Basil leaves are regarded as an adaptogen or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common ailments.

Common Cold & Fever:-The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma.

Sore Throat:- Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.

Respiratory disorder:- The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold.

Kidney Stone:- Basil has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract.

Heart disorder:- Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.

Mouth infections:- The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.

Skin disorders:- Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopathy for the treatment of leucoderma.

Eye disorders:- Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice should be put into the eyes daily at bedtimes.

Teeth disorder:- The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustard oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counter acting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

Headaches:- Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general.

        Tulsi as a Deity

            The presence of tulsi plant symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu family.  A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn’t have a tulsi plant in the courtyard. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides and an alcove for a small earthen oil lamp. Tulsi is a venerated plant and Hindus  worship it in the morning and evening. The name ‘tulsi’ connotes “the incomparable one”. Dark or Shyama tulsi and light or Rama tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal value. Of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama tulsi is commonly used for worship. Vaishnavites or believers of Lord Vishnu worship the tulsi leaf because it’s the one that pleases Lord Vishnu the most. They also wear beaded necklaces made of tulsi stems. The manufacture of these tulsi necklaces is a cottage industry in pilgrimages and temple towns.

Tulsi: An Elixir of Life

            Apart from its religious significance it is of great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste, for stomach-ache, tulsi is a kind of “the elixir of life” as it promotes longevity. The plant’s extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes though of late it is used in the manufacture of herbal toiletry.

       The Holy Basil plant from which the oil is distilled has been revered in India for thousands of years. It has a special place in the courtyard of Hindu families. The daily routine of many families is centered on this plants worship. When one begins to investigate its therapeutic and medicinal properties in indigenous systems of medicine, then it is easy to see why the plant is considered so special. The sages and seers of ancient times were keen to instill in people’s hearts appreciation for the healing virtues to be derived from plants. Among the many botanical treasures with which the country was blessed they discovered several that had a wide range of applications for curing common illnesses or preventing diseases altogether.