Awesome Health Benefits of Tulsi or Basil(Ocimum sanctum): A Herb For All Reason.

Image by shashi javali from Pixabay

Awesome Health Benefits of Tulsi : A Herb For All Reason.

Tulsi/Holy Basil, also known as by its scientific name known as Ocimum tenuiflorum. Tulsi is more than a simple nature name : The holy basil plant is sacred in Hindu religion, used to worship The Lord Vishnu. The Tulsi plant is often planted in Hindu Houses and is used for medicines as well as in the Hindu ritualis.

The leaves of the tulsi plant are having a great place in worship. They are more valuable than fragrant flowers. Flowers are fragrant only when they bloom completely, But every part of the tulsi plant has a positive fragrance, said Kamla Murthy, in a discussion. Its seeds, it leaves, its stem, its roots- all the parts of the plant have fragrance. Even the soil has the fragrance in which it is planted acquires the fragrant smell of the plant. All we need to do is to use a tulsi leaf in worship. Nothing will require to please Lord Vishnu more. Using tulsi leaves in worship will bring prosperousness.

Tulsi also has a special place in Ayurveda as well as the home of Hindu families in India. It is considered spiritual by Hindus and worshipped by them. Three main types of Tulsi are there growing in India:

1. Bright green leaves called Rama Tulsi

2. Purplish green leaves called Shyama Tulsi

3. Common wild Van Tulsi.

Nutritional Value:

Tulsi leaves are highly rich in vitamins A, C, and K and also have minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium in it. It also has a good amount of protein and fibre in it .

Research-Based Benefits of Tulsi are:

1. Natural Immunity Booster:

Tulsi is rich in Vitamin C as well as in zinc. It acts as a natural immunity booster and keeps infections at side. It has huge amount of anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties in it which protect us from a various infections. Tulsi leaves extract help to increases the T helper cells and natural killer cells activity, by boosting the immune system.

2. Reduces Fever & Pain:

Tulsi has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties in it which help to fight various infections, in results to reducing fever. The fresh juice of Tulsi mixed with black pepper powder helps to cure periodic fevers. Tulsi leaves boiled mixed with powdered cardamom,( elaichi) in 0.5 liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk, are also results in reducing temperature.

Eugenol, a terpene with pain-relieving qualities found in Tulsi leaves reduces various types of pains in the body.

3. Reduces Cold, Cough & Other Respiratory Problems:

Camphene, cineole, and eugenol present in Tulsi leaves help to reduce cold, cough and congestion in the chest.

Juice of Tulsi leaves mixed with honey and ginger is effective in asthma, influenza, cough, and cold.

4. Helps in Reducing Stress Problems & Blood Pressure:

Tulsi contains blend of Ocimumosides A and B. These compounds helps in reducing stress and balance the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain. The anti-inflammatory properties of Tulsi reduce inflammation inside and outside of the body and blood pressure.

5. Cancer Curing properties:

Phytochemicals present in Tulsi leaves have strong antioxidants in it. Thus, they help in curing the human body from from skin, liver, oral, and lung cancer.

6. Good for Heart:

Tulsi leaves has a deep effect on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by means of lowering blood lipid content, lowering of platelets suppressing ischemia and attack, reducing hypertension, and also due to its richness in antioxidant properties.

7. Good for Diabetics:

Extract of Tulsi has results in lowering the blood glucose/sugar levels in patients with type 2 Diabetes.

8. Beneficial in Kidney stones & Gouty Arthritis:

Tulsi leaves detoxifies the body and has diuretic properties. It helps in decreasing the level of uric acid present in the body, which is the main reason why kidney stones are being developed. Reduction in uric acid levels also provides relief also in various other problems like Gout Athhritis.

9. Beneficial in Curing Gastrointestinal Disorders:

Tulsi leaves help to cure indigestion. They are also useful in the treatment of flatulence and bloating.

10. Superb for Skin & Hair:

Tulsi extract helps clear out the skin from blemishes and acne heads . As It is rich in anti-oxidants, and that helps in to prevent old ageing. Tulsi also useful to get strong our hair roots and also in hair loss.

The anti-fungal function of Tulsi leaves prevent the development of fungus and dandruff in the hairs.

11. Works as an Insect/Mosquito Repellent:

For many decades, the dried Tulsi leaves have been mixed with stored grains to get stay away the insects.

Ways to Consume Tulsi.

• You can consume Tulsi leaves in raw form, pluck it directly fresh from the plant and add it in your tea or make kadha (Ayurvedic Drink) from it.

• Tulsi tea: The way to make Tulsi tea, firstly, boil 1 cup of water and pour it over 1 tsp of fresh tulsi leaves (5-6 leaves) , 1/2 tsp of dried tulsi leaves, or 1/3 tsp of tulsi powder. Cover the water in a pot ,bowl or mug and let it keep aside for 15-20 minutes. Then strain the leaves from the water, add honey if you want to, and enjoy.

• Tulsi powders and tulsi medicines are also available in the market for consumption.

Side Effects of Consuming excess Tulsi That You Must Know:

• Tulsi leaves may results in reproductive capacity of women who are trying to conceive.

• Very less number of people experience nausea and diarrhoea when they firstly add tulsi tea in their diet, so you can start it in small quantities and by the time you can increase your consumption.

• Tulsi leaves sometimes lower blood sugar and should be used with precaution in people who have diabetes because they will get unconscious after getting higher decrease in their blood sugar level and are on blood-sugar-lowering medication.

By: Varun Verma