Tulsi (Holy basil) an aromatic shrub is a widely known herb in the family Lamiaceae (tribe ocimeae). It is thought to have originated in north central India native to India and vastly cultivated throughout the eastern world tropics. Tulsi has a special place in Ayurveda as well as the home of Hindus in Bharat. It is considered sacred by Hindus and worshipped by them. The spiritual benefits include its ability to relax the mind and the body helps in improving meditation and spiritual practices, while its leaves are believed to bring peace, prosperity and grace in life.

 

Within Ayurveda, Tulsi is known as “The Incomparable One,” “Mother Medicine of Nature” and “The Queen of Herbs,” and is revered as an “elixir of life” that is without equal for both its medicinal and spiritual properties. In Bharat, Tulsi has been adopted into spiritual rituals and lifestyle practices that provide a vast array of health benefits that are being confirmed by modern science. This emerging science on Tulsi, which reinforces ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, suggests that Tulsi is a highly effective tonic for protecting our body, mind, and spirit and offers solutions to many modern day health problems such as various infections, stress, and diseases of the liver, skin, kidney, diabetes, hair fall etc. It contains powerful oxidants that can help in keeping your blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels under control, making it one of the best heart-healthy foods.

 

Four types of Tulsi are seen growing in India:

 

What happens if you eat Tulsi leaves or Tulsi water/tea every day?

Taking a few Tulsi leaves/Tulsi water/tea on a daily basis has a calming effect and helps reduce stress. According to Ayurveda, Tulsi helps reduce asthmatic symptoms due to its Kapha-balancing property, and also useful in managing ringworm infection.

What research-backed benefits of Tulsi?

Tulsi leaves are rich vitamins A, C, B6, and K and minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium. It also has a good amount of protein and fiber. Owing to its numerous health benefits, Tulsi is rightly called the â€˜Queen of Herbs’.

1. Natural immunity booster:  Tulsi is rich in Vitamin C and zinc. It has immense anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties that act as a natural immunity booster and keep infections at bay by increasing the T helper cells and boosting natural killer cells activity.        

2. Reduces fever (antipyretic) & pain(analgesic): The anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties in the fresh juice of Tulsi taken with black pepper powder cures periodic fevers which help to fight infections, thus reducing fever in children as well. Tulsi leaves boiled with powdered cardamom (Elaichi) in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk, are also effective in reducing temperature. Eugenol, a terpene with pain-relieving properties found in Tulsi reduces aches in the body.

3. Reduces cold, cough & other respiratory disorders: Tulsi help reduce cold and congestion in the chest with camphene, cineole and eugenol properties. Juice of Tulsi leaves mixed with honey and ginger is effective in bronchitis, asthma, influenza, and cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, common salt, and cloves also provides quick relief in cases of influenza. The leaves of Tulsi have expectorant properties and help in expelling mucous from the bronchial tube.

 

4. Reduces stress & blood pressure: Tulsi contains compounds Ocimumosides A and B that reduce stress and balance the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain. The anti-inflammatory properties of Tulsi reduce inflammation and blood pressure.

5. Anti-cancer properties: Phytochemicals present in Tulsi have strong antioxidant properties that help in protecting us from skin, liver, oral and lung cancers.

6. Good for heart health: Tulsi has a profound effect due to its higher antioxidant properties on the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases by lowering blood lipid content, suppressing ischemia, stroke, and reducing hypertension. Apart from this, Tulsi also plays an essential role in platelet aggregation and preventing the risk of pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure that affects arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart).

7. Good for diabetes patients: Extract of Tulsi leaves has shown to lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 Diabetes. Tulsi leaves can be used as an adjunct to dietary therapy and drug treatment in mild to moderate noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Another animal study suggested that Tulsi leaf extracts have a stimulatory effect on insulin production. Tulsi and neem extracts taken together are known to lower blood sugar levels in humans.

8. Useful in kidney stones & gouty arthritis: Tulsi detoxifies the body and its diuretic properties decrease the level of uric acid in the body, which is the main reason why kidney stones are formed. Tulsi is known to strengthen the kidney. The juice of Tulsi leaves, when taken with honey, helps in expelling kidney stones through urine. Reduction in uric acid levels also provides relief to patients suffering from Gout.

9. Useful in gastrointestinal disorders: Tulsi leaves help to cure indigestion, loss of appetite, flatulence and bloating.

10. Good for skin & hair: The antioxidants in Holy Basil/Tulsi helps clear out the skin of blemishes, acne, improve skin texture, and prevent premature ageing because Tulsi is rich in Vitamin C & A and phytonutrients essential oils. Consuming 2 cups of Tulsi tea can help you look younger and prevent premature ageing. Tulsi helps in curing skin infections and any sort of skin allergies. The antifungal properties of Tulsi prevent the development of fungus, dry scalp, dandruff and strengthens our hair roots, thus preventing hair loss and makes your hair look better in all ways. Tulsi can also reduce greying of the hair and keep it thick and black.

11. Acts as an insect repellent: For centuries, the dried Tulsi leaves have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects.

12. Insect bites & blood purification: Apart from simply repelling insects, the extracts of Tulsi leaves can also be applied to insect bites and stings to ease the pain. They also reduce swelling or resultant irritation largely. Moreover, daily consumption of Tulsi also helps to purify the blood.

13. Oral and dental health: Tulsi can act on mouth ulcers and provide comprehensive oral health care. Therefore, it is often used in herbal toothpaste because of its amazing teeth and gum strengthening properties.

14. Treatment of Eczema: Tulsi can be used for the treatment of skin conditions like eczema because it provides long-lasting relief from itching and irritation. Tulsi pills and topical ointments are available.

15. Reduces stress & fatigue: Research has also shown that Tulsi has several physical and mental health benefits. For instance, consuming a Tulsi drink after a tiring day at work or during prolonged hours of study can be revitalizing and help to relieve stress and fatigue also help to enhance concentration for students.

16. Tulsi for weight loss: Tulsi tea has zero calories. So, two cups a day along with your work out is a natural ingredient that aids your weight loss process faster by boosting your digestive system, controlling your metabolism that helps your body absorb essential nutrients. 

17. Tulsi for Eyes: Your eyes are prone to a lot of dust and pollution every day and most people develop eye-related problems such as conjunctivitis and boils.. Tulsi leaves left in boiled water overnight can be used to wash your eyes. It reduces the strain on your eyes and makes them feel relaxed.

18. Tulsi to Quit Smoking: Every time you get the urge to smoke, chew Tulsi leaves because they help stop smoking, get the nicotine content off your body, and curtail yourself from going against the urge. They also help fight cancer and prevent it from attacking you. It helps in the purification of blood. Make it a point to drink Tulsi tea.

It is also believed that growing a Tulsi plant at home or garden helps clear the air of negative energy and create positive vibes. The plant absorbs harmful gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from the environment and produces high oxygen. Holy basil is probably safe for most people; however, Pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who are trying to become pregnant, and people with type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and those undergoing surgery should avoid holy basil.