"Oh, Narada! Every house, every village, every forest, wherever the plant of Tulsi is grown, there misery, fear, disease and poverty do not exist."
Holy Basil, or the Tulsi plant is native to India and grows wild in Asia and Malaysia. It is a sacred herb in the Hindu religion and is commonly grown in earthen pots in Hindu homes and gardens. Holy Basil is known by many names that clue us to the soul nature of this plant. The Latin name of one variety - Ocimum sanctum, means “the incomparable one” or “sacred fragrant lipped basil”. It is also referred to as the “Queen of Herbs”, “Mother Medicine of Nature” and the “The Elixir of Life.”
The Mother Medicine of Nature has been used in India for thousands of years as a principle herb of Ayurveda – the oldest known holistic health system and is still widely practiced today. Ayurveda means “knowledge of life” and this ancient medical science has promoted the physical, mental and spiritual health-promoting properties of the Tulsi plant for over 5000 years. Holy Basil is mentioned in the Charak Samhita (the central teaching of ayurvedic medicine) which was written at least two thousand years ago.
Rama – Ocimum sanctum is the short, annual, heavily flowered plant that was originally introduced to the U.S. as "Holy Basil". It is the most common type found in cultivation in the U.S.
Hardy to Zones 10 to 12, otherwise grown as a summer annual 60 days to harvest
Medical usage: This Ayurvedic herb has such profound spiritual and medical effects that it is written " even the ground beneath Holy basil is sacred" The herb is a calming adaptogen, a truly great herb tea.
Helps promote your respiratory system health*
Supports your healthy vision*
Antioxidant protection against free radicals*
Helps alleviate minor discomfort and irritation*
Provides a calming effect and relief from occasional stress*
Helps bolster your immune system*
May even give your stamina a boost*
Helps promote your healthy metabolism*
Balances the health of your digestive system*
Helps maintain blood sugar levels in the normal range*
Provides you with skeletal and joint support*
Aids in supporting normal cholesterol levels*
The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between, one can keep giving sips of cold water. In children, it is every effective in bringing down the temperature.
Tulsi 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.
For earache, a few drops of tulsi extract, if instilled, relieves the symptoms promptly.
The juice of fresh leaves, flower tops and slender roots is a very god antidote for snake and scorpion bite.
Its oil is rich in vitamin C, carotene, calcium and phosphorus. Besides, it has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
Ayurvedic tulsi preparations have significantly reduced the symptoms of viral hepatitis.
In diabetics it helps in lowering the blood sugar level.
Its anti-spasmodic property can be utilised to relieve abdominal colics. The extracts are also helpful in digestive disorders.
Tulsi leaves have properties similar to the currently available anti-TB drugs like Streptomycin and Isoniazide.
Oil of tulsi has been used as a potent anti-malarial drug. It also has mosquito repellent properties.
It raises the human body immunity by increasing the antibody production.
Experimental studies on animals have shown anti-stress activity with tulsi extract.
Tulsi has anti-fertility effects by reducing the estrogen hormone levels in females and decreasing the sperm count in men.
* Benefits backed up by scientific research.
CULTIVATION: Most seeds can be sown directly in the garden in spring. Press small seeds into the soil surface or barely cover with soil. Always tamp the soil after sowing the seeds and keep evenly moist until germination.
Precautions – Tulsi may have an anti-fertility effect so it is not recommended for use if pregnant, nursing, or are considering becoming pregnant. Do not administer to infants or toddlers. May lower blood sugar, so consult a doctor if hypoglycemic (in separate studies, it has also been shown to be beneficial for those with hypoglycemia). Mild blood thinning properties.
**For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.**
