Tulsi (तुलसी )

Tulsi, also known as Ocimum sanctum, basil leaves, or tulasī, is an aromatic plant in the family Lamiaceae which is native to the Indian Subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics.

•  Scientific name: Ocimum tenuiflorum

•  Rank: Species

•  Higher classification: Ocimum

Tulsi Considered holy by many religions, the tulsi plant is revered for its divine properties. Besides praying to the plant, a number of people advise including the leaves and roots of the plant in various medical decoctions. With immense benefits right from clear skin to dissolving kidney stones, tulsi is tonic for the entire body.

Here are some of the top 10 benefits of Tulsi.


1.   Cures a fever,          2.   Beats Diabetes,          3.   Protects the heart,          4.   Beats stress,
5.   Dissolves kidney stones,          6.   Beats Cancer,          7.  Helps to quit smoking
8.   Keeps your skin and hair healthy and glowing,          9.   Heals respiratory conditions
10.   Cures a headache:

1.   Cures a fever:   

                Tulsi has very potent germicidal, anti-bacterial, and anti-biotic properties that are great for resolving fevers. It has the potential to cure any fever right of those caused due to common infections to those caused due to malaria as well. In Ayurveda, it is strongly advised that a person suffering from fever should have a decoction made of tulsi leaves. In case of a fever boil a few leaves of tulsi with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water( The proportion of tulsi to cardamom powder should be in the ratio 1:0.3). Let it reduce to half its total volume. Mix this decoction with sugar and milk. Sip every two to three hours. This remedy is especially good for children.

2.   Beats Diabetes:  

                Leaves of tulsi are packed with antioxidants and essential oils that produce eugenol, methyl Collectively these substances help the pancreatic beta cells (cells that store and release insulin) function properly. This in turn helps increase sensitivity to insulin. Lowering one’s blood sugar and treating diabetes effectively. An added advantage is that the antioxidants present in the leaves help beat the ill effects of oxidative stress.eugenol and caryophyllene.

 

3.   Protects the heart:  

                Tulsi has a powerful anti-oxidant a component called Eugenol. This compound helps protect the heart by keeping one’s blood pressure under control and lowering his/her cholesterol levels. Chewing a few leaves of tulsi on an empty stomach everyday can both prevent and protect any heart ailments.

4.   Beats stress: 

                According to a study conducted by the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, tulsi helps to maintain the normal levels of the stress hormone – cortisol in the body.  The leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties (also known as anti-stress agents). It helps smooth the nerves, regulates blood circulation, and beats free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress. People who have high-stress jobs can chew about 12 leaves of tulsi twice a day to beat stress naturally.

5.   Dissolves kidney stones: 

                The holy basil is a great diuretic and detoxifier are great for the kidneys. Tulsi helps reduce the uric acid levels in the blood (one of the main reasons for kidney stones is the presence of excess uric acid in the blood), helps cleanse the kidneys, the presence of acetic acid and other components in its essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones and its painkiller effect helps dull down the pain of kidney stones. To relieve kidney stones one must have the juice of tulsi leaves with honey, every day for six months to help wash out the stone from the kidney.

6.   Beats Cancer: 

                 With strong anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties tulsi has been found to help stop the progression of breast cancer and oral cancer (caused due to chewing tobacco). This is because its compounds restrict the flow of blood to the tumor by attacking the blood vessels supplying it. Have the extract of tulsi every day to keep these conditions at bay.

7.   Helps to quit smoking: 

                Tulsi is known to have very strong anti-stress compounds and is great to help one quit smoking. It helps by lowering the stress that may be involved in trying to quit smoking or stress that leads to the urge to smoke. It also has a cooling effect on the throat just like menthol drops and helps control the urge to smoke by allowing the person to chew on something. Ayurveda relies heavily on tulsi leaves as a smoking cessation device. Keep some leaves with you and chew it whenever the urge to smoke arises. Another plus is that the antioxidant property of the leaves will help fight all the damage that arises out of years of smoking.

8.   Keeps your skin and hair healthy and glowing: 

                The holy basil has powerful purifying properties. When eaten raw, it purifies the blood giving the skin a beautiful glow, and prevents the appearance of acne and blemishes. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are very effective in preventing breakouts on acne-prone skin. Ayurvedic doctors say that this herb can cure difficult skin conditions like those caused due to ringworms and even leucoderma. Apart from all this, it helps in reducing the itchiness of the scalp and helps to reduce hair fall. Mix the powder in coconut oil and apply regularly to the scalp to prevent hair fall. Eating tulsi leaves, drinking the juice, or adding its paste to a face pack can help cure skin and hair conditions.

9.   Heal's respiratory conditions: 

                Tulsi has  antitussive (suppresses the cough center, reducing the amount of cough), immunomodulatory (helps to modulate the immune system), and expectorant properties (helps expel phlegm from the chest), that makes it a great relief for coughs, cold, and other respiratory disorders including chronic and acute bronchitis. Another great property of this leaf is that it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help to beat the infection causing the respiratory problem. It also relieves congestion since it contains potent components like camphene, eugenol and cineole in its essential oils. Its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties also help to treat allergic respiratory disorders.

10.   Cures a headache: 

                Tulsi helps to relieve headaches caused due to allergies, sinusitis, cold, or even migraines.   that help relieves the pain and resolves the root cause of the condition. If you are suffering from a headache, make a bowl of water that has been boiled with crushed tulsi leaves or tulsi extract. Cool the water till it is room temperature or bearably hot. Place a small towel in it, wring out the excess water and place this on your forehead to treat a headache. Alternatively, you could dip a towel in plain warm water and add a few drops of tulsi extract to the towel for immediate relief. 

This is because it has pain-relieving and decongestant properties,

                  These are just some benefits of the plant, other benefits include treatment for common colds, treatment for insect bites, itchiness of the skin, curing common conditions of the eye and as a herbal remedy for bad breath. So the text time you feel ill, try having a few leaves of Tulsi.