Tulsi (Basil Plant ) at Home

Tulsi is not just a sacred plant with several health benefits but it is also a pollution deterrent plant. This sacred herb is planted in almost all the houses in India and has been worshipped from the times immemorial. Known widely in South Asian countries it has been used for religious and medicinal purpose. Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its many healing properties.

Understanding Tulsi?

Health Benefits of Holy Basil

The scientific name of Tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum. Tulsi is also known as Basil. It is a native of India. There are three varities of Tulsi – Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum). Each has its own distinctive taste. Tulsi contains hundreds of beneficial alkaloids known as phyto-chemicals and possess strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-enhancing properties

Tulsi and health Benefits

Out of the numerous health benefits provided by Tulsi a few are summarized below-

• Treating respiratory disorders – like fever, cold, sore throat and cough. Chewing few tulsi leaves is very beneficial if one is suffering from such symptoms. Tulsi decoction (KHADA) with cardamom powder mixed when given every 2-3 hours, is also helpful to bring down fever.
• Prevents Malaria and Dengue fevers
• Tulsi is a great Stress reliever – chewing about 10-12 Basil leaves daily, act as stress buster..
• Kidney stone– Leaves of Tulsi when taken in boiled water helps in getting rid of kidney stones.
• Stomach problems like flatulence, acidity and constipation can be controlled and cured by taking Tulsi decoction on daily basis.
• Mouth ulcers– chewing some Tulasi leaves helps to keep the mouth ulcers at bay.
• Helps in treating Cholera.
•  Tulsi improves Memory power
• Relieves headache – A paste of Tulsi and sandal wood can be applied on the forehead to get instant relief from headache.
• Treating skin disorders – Tulasi juice is beneficial in the treatment of wide ranging skin disorders like ringworm, Leucoderma and other skin diseases. Applying a paste of Tulsi and Aloe vera over the affected area brings quick results. Miraculous results are obtained by applying a paste of Tulsi leaves and Onion leaves on lecoderma affected parts of skin.
• It is an effective Anti-carcinogenic agent..
• Treating insect bites – A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves applied on affected part can help treating the allergies caused by insect bite.