Tulsi: A Magical Herb With Numerous Health Benefits

Tulsi scientifically known as Holy Basil is a revered herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae. It is an indigenous plant of India and is vastly nurtured throughout Southeast Asia. These green plants are almost part of every household in India, mostly in the Hindu community, as a part of the tradition. It is basically consumed raw to cure cough and cold. This plant is an important one in Indian traditions. The oil extracted from this plant is used in the beauty industries in the making of soaps, oils, perfumes, and many more. 

Holy Basil or Ocimum gratissimum is a green leafy plant with a history in Indian medicine, popularly known as Ayurveda, as a treatment for various ailments from stress to ringworms and kidney stones. Not just the leaves, but even the stem, seed, and various other body parts of the plant can be used to treat several medical conditions. Tulsi is a sacred plant worshipped by the Hindus in India. 

There are three main types of Tulsi growing in India. Those are:

• Ram Tulsi which has bright green leaves.
• Krishna Tulsi with purplish green leaves.
• Wild Tulsi called Vana Tulsi.

From ancient times till now, tulsi has proven to be highly effective and efficient in shielding our bodies from various infections and diseases. Enriched with high-powered oxidants that help regulate your cholesterol and blood pressure levels in the body, tulsi is termed one of the best heart-healthy foods. It is extremely good for diabetic people as it possesses hypoglycaemic properties which are known to reduce your blood sugar levels. Tulsi is rightfully the “Queen of the Herbs.”

Let’s take a closer look at what this magical herb has in store for us. 

Nutritional Value of Tulsi

Carbohydrate	2.65 g
Protein	3.15 g
Energy	22.4 g
Fat	0.64 g
Water	92.06 g
Dietary Fibre	1.6 g
Sodium	4 mg
Iron	3.17 mg
Zinc	0.81 mg
Potassium	295 mg
Manganese	1.148 mg
Phosphorous	56 mg
Riboflavin	0.076 mg
Thiamine	0.034 mg
Pantothenic Acid	0.209 mg
Niacin	0.902 mg
Vitamin B6	0.155 mg
Choline	11.4 mg
Vitamin K	414.8 µg
β -Carotene	3142 µg
Vitamin E	0.8 mg
Vitamin C	18 mg
Calcium	177 mg

Health Benefits of Tulsi

Reduces Cough, Cold, and Other Related Respiratory Ailments

Pollution and pollutants take a toll on your respiratory organs causing various diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and more. The presence of eugenol, cineole, and camphene in Tulsi helps fight the cold and congestion in your chest. Juices of tulsi leaves combined with honey and ginger are highly effective on asthma, bronchitis, influenza, cold, and cough. 

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Each part of Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogen. Adaptogen is a substance that helps alleviate stress and promotes mental balance. Although the concept of adaptogen is a holistic approach, Tulsi is incorporated with pharmacological properties to help your mind cope with several types of stress including physical, emotional, chemical, and infectious stress. 

It even consists of compounds Ocimumosides A and B which are effective in reducing stress and maintaining the balance between the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain. 

Lowers Your Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels

If you are a diabetic person or someone who has type-2 diabetes, Tulsi can help in the lowering of your blood sugar level. Scientific research and studies have shown that holy basil or tulsi helps in preventing several diabetic symptoms such as weight gain, hyperinsulinemia or excess insulin in the blood, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and hypertension.

Reduces Fever and Pain

Tulsi contains natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that help to fight infections, consequently reducing the fever. The fresh juice of tulsi taken with black pepper powder cures periodic fevers. Tulsi leaves boiled with cardamom powder in a container with a half liter of water combined with milk & sugar are also effective in toning down the temperature. Eugenol, a terpene with pain-relieving properties found in Tulsi reduces aches in the body. 

Boosts Your Immunity

Enriched with nutrients such as Vitamin C, zinc, and a few others, Tulsi automatically acts as a natural immunity booster keeping infections out of your reach. Tulsi leaf extracts help in stimulating T helper cells in your body which helps fight the killer cell’s activity. As a result, it increases your immune system. 

Anti-cancer Properties and Heart-friendly

The presence of phytochemicals in tulsi is infused with strong antioxidant properties. Because of this reason, tulsi protects us from skin, oral, lung, and liver cancer. By reducing the lipid content of blood, Tulsi due to its higher antioxidant properties effectively treats and prevents cardiovascular diseases on the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to this, it even suppresses ischemia & stroke lowering hypertension. 

Aids in Gouty Arthritis and Kidney Stones

Tulsi helps in the detoxification of the body and contains diuretic properties. It helps reduce uric acid levels in your body, the main cause of the formation of kidney stones. Reduction in uric acid levels also provides relief to patients suffering from Gout. Furthermore, Tulsi also helps to cure indigestion and appetite loss. 

Good for Skin and Hair

Tulsi helps in cleansing acne and blemishes from deep within, on your face. Packed with antioxidants, tulsi helps to prevent premature aging. It also helps to strengthen the hair roots, thus preventing hair fall. The anti-fungal properties help in fighting off dandruff and fungus on your scalp. 

Purifies Your Blood and Acts as an Antiseptic

Apart from the mentioned above, extracts of tulsi leaves can be applied to insect or bug bites or even other wounds and stings to ease the pain. They reduce swelling and irritation to a greater extent. Additionally, consuming tulsi leaves every day will purify your blood. 

Promotes Oral Care and Treats Eczema

Tulsi has often been used in herbal toothpaste because of its amazing teeth and gum-strengthening properties. On top of that, it can act on mouth ulcers and therefore provide comprehensive oral health care. Commercially, Tulsi is also available in the form of ingestible pills and topical ointments which can be used for the treatment of skin conditions like eczema. They also provide long-lasting relief from itching and irritation.

Properties of Tulsi

• Anti-pyretic.
• Might have anti-inflammatory activity.
• Might be an antiemetic.
• Anti-diabetic.
• Hypotensive and hypolipidemic.
• Analgesic and anti-asthmatic.
• Anti-cancer properties and diuretic.
• Diaphoretic and stress reliever.

How to Incorporate Tulsi into Your Diet

Tulsi is available in different formulations in the market such as:

• Manasamitra Vataka
• Muktadi Mahanjana
• Tribhuvanakirti Rasa
• Muktapancamrta Rasa

The tulsi leaves are available in different formulations such as: 

• Tribhuvana Kirti Rasa
• Manasamitra Vataka
• Mahajvarankusa Rasa
• Pancamrt Rasa

Apart from this, tulsi can be used in several other ways such as

• Mixed vegetable soup
• Cold extract
• Tulsi tea
• Medicated oil
• Medicinal powder
• Ghrit
• Refreshing drink