Kitchen Klinic - Tulsi / Holy Basil

Botanical Name: Ocimum sanctum

The tulsi or holy basil is a significant symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is worshipped in the morning and evening by Hindus at big. The holy basil is also an herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments.

Plant Description: It is an erect, aromatic, branching herb, with green or purplish leaves, white, green or pale purple leaves and oval black fruits.

Useful Parts: Whole Plant

Medicinal Properties:

Tulsi leaves are a nerve tonic and for weak memory. They promote the taking away of phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves reinforce the stomach and induce perspiration. The seeds are tiny and black and have cooling effect.

Tulsi leaves extract given every 2 to 3 hours brings down fever. In between one can keep giving sips of cold water. A decoction of tulsi leaves with cloves and common salt gives immediate break in case of influenza. This decoction should be boiled in half a litre of water until half the water is reduced and then used.

Tulsi tea taken during monsoons, act as a preventive against malaria, dengue, and viral fever. In case of acute fever, a decoction of the leaves boiled with crushed cardamom in half a litre of water mixed with palm sugar and milk brings down the temperature.

Tulsi is an important element of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu.

Water boiled with tulsi leaves, jeera, and a few peppercorns can be taken as drink for sore throat. This water can also be substituted as a gargle.

This herb is useful in the action of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the tulsi leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough, and cold.

Tulsi has increase effect on the kidney. The juice of tulsi leaves and honey, if taken on a regular basis for 6 months, will expel the kidney stones through the urinary tract.

Regular chewing of tulsi leaves has a positive effect in cardiac diseases and weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.

Common pediatric health issues like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and vomiting respond favorably to the juice of tulsi leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, tulsi leaves taken with saffron will speed them.

Tulsi leaves are look upon as an adaptogen (strengthens resistance to stress while enhancing energy); or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant defense against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 tulsi leaves, twice a day, to put off stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common rudiments.

Tulsi leaves are quite effective for ulcer and mouth infections. A few leaves chewed will heal these conditions.

Tulsi is a prophylactic or defensive and curative for insect stings or bites. Tulsi juice mixed with water can be consumed and tulsi leaves paste can be applied on insect bites and stings and the application can be repeated two or three times (A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insect and leeches).

Tulsi leaves paste is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin infections.

The herb is helpful in dental disorders. The tulsi leaves, dried in the Sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth.

Pounded tulsi leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can be applied on the forehead to relief from headache and migraine.