THE WONDERS OF TULSI (BASIL)

 

 

Every part of the Tulsi (Basil) plant is revered and considered sacred by the Hindus. Even the soil around the plant is holy. The Padma Purana declares a person who is cremated with tulasi twigs in his funeral pyre gains moksha and a place in Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha. Tulsi is considered to be the consort of Lord Vishnu and it is believed that a Hindu household is incomplete without a holy Basil in their courtyard. One of the most notable environmental benefits of tulsi is its ability to improve air quality. Holy basil is believed to have natural air-purifying properties and has been shown to absorb toxins and pollutants from the air.

 

Culinary use

Basil, also known as sweet basil, is a wonderful herb that has a wealth of uses in the kitchen - it is often used in Italian and Asian cuisine, making it a staple in countless recipes. And while it does add a uniquely delicious aroma and flavor to our food, it has other uses too. They are an amazing and delightful addition to several culinary creations, making dishes both tasty and healthy. Fresh leaves and dried leaves both are used. Basil is a relatively easy herb to grow. Its delicate leaves prefer warm and sunny climatic conditions. They are especially sensitive to frost. It may thrive better as an indoor herb, especially by a sunny kitchen windowsill. 

 

Pharmacological background

Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene), the active constituent present in Ocimum sanctum L., has been found to be largely responsible for the therapeutic potentials of Tulsi. In order to establish the therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum L. in modern medicine, in last few decades several Indian scientists and researchers have studied the pharmacological effects of steam distilled, petroleum ether and benzene extracts of various parts of Tulsi plant and eugenol on immune system, reproductive system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastric system, urinary system and blood biochemistry and have described the therapeutic significance of Tulsi in management of various ailments. These pharmacological studies have established a scientific basis for therapeutic uses of this plant.

  

Medicinal use

Tulsi or Basil is widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day to day practice. In traditional systems of medicine, different parts (leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant) of Tulsi, have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, insect bite etc. In Ayurveda Tulsi has also been suggested to possess antifertility, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antiemetic, antispasmodic, analgesic, adaptogenic and diaphoretic actions.

Not only does basil have a number of medicinal properties, it also has various skin and hair benefits as well. So, let's take a look at what other things you can do with basil:

 

1. Use it to calm the stomach: Basil is thought to be especially beneficial for indigestion, and is known to alleviate feelings of fullness. Add 1/2 a teaspoon of dried or fresh basil leaves to a glass of water.

 

2. Use it to soothe a cough and a cold: Basil leaves may help alleviate a cough and a cold. Just chew on a couple of fresh leaves or make a calming tea of dried basil to help alleviate the symptoms.

 

3. Use it to alleviate a headache: A facial steam with dried basil leaves may help soothe a headache. To reap the benefits, add a tablespoon of dried basil leaves to 2 cups of boiling water in a large pot. Carefully lean over the pot, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the steam for 5 to 10 minutes. The headache should start to subside.

 

4. Use it to soothe stings and bites: For insect stings and bites, chew on a basil leaf and apply it to the bite to help relieve the pain and draw out the venom. It helps to treat insect bites and protects us from diseases such as dengue, malaria, etc. It is used to keep insects and mosquitoes away.

 

5. Use it to soothe an ear infection: The essential oil of basil contains antibacterial properties and may be used to help alleviate an ear infection. basil uses

 

6. Use it to keep blood sugar levels in check: While not thoroughly looked into, some studies indicate that Basil can help level out blood sugar if consumed regularly and drunk as a juice or tea.

 

 7. Use it to calm nerves and reduce stress: Herbalists recommend adding 2 cups of strong basil leaf tea to a warm bath, to help reduce stress and facilitate relaxation. Tulsi is a natural herb that has anti-stress qualities. Sipping a cup of tulsi tea helps a person to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Most people suffering from intense stress and anxiety prefer to drink juices and tea made from tulsi leaves as it helps them to relax.

 

8. Use it to improve skin tone: Sagging skin is a problem commonly observed in the cheeks, jowls and neck. To improve your skin tone, mix dried basil leaves with water and apply to the face with a cotton ball on a regular basis, especially before going to bed.

 

9. Use it to defy aging: To reap the benefits, apply a face mask made of fresh basil leaves and coconut oil, to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Coconut oil will make for an excellent base as it deeply hydrates skin cells, while basil's antioxidant activity helps ward off and even reverse free radical damage. basil uses

 

10. Use it to heal ringworm: This fungal infection is highly contagious. Get rid of it by crushing some basil leaves with a few drops of lemon juice, then apply it to infected areas.

 

11. Use it to prevent hair loss: Put an end to excessive hair loss with some fresh basil leaves. Crush a couple with a few drops of amla oil and massage the mixture into your scalp, leaving it on for a couple of minutes. When done, shampoo your hair.

 

12. Use it to control dandruff: Basil has incredible anti-fungal and antioxidant properties, and may therefore be used as an all-natural treatment for dandruff. Just crush lots of basil leaves and combine with some coconut oil (ideal for its hydrating properties) then massage into the scalp and shampoo after a couple of minutes.

 

13. Protects the heart:  Tulsi contains Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants such as eugenol which protects the heart from harmful effects of free radicals. 

 

14. Boosts immunity: It is a natural immune booster and consuming Tulsi regularly, raw or in tea, keeps infections away. In Ayurveda it is prescribed for Asthma and Bronchitis.

 

15. Antipyretic in children especially: It is used for treating fever in children and adults. The tulsi plant has an antipyretic and diaphoretic activity that induces sweating in the body. This normalizes the high body temperature during fever. 

 

16. Improves oral health: The leaves of tulsi have antimicrobial properties that fight bacteria in the mouth. It also prevents the formation of a tooth cavity. Prevention of bad breath is also included among tulsi uses, so people should start utilizing the plant.

 

With so many benefits of Tulsi, if you don’t have one already, I suggest you plant one Tulsi sapling in your garden or even a flowering pot.