Herbal Spotlight  - Tulsi (Holy Basil)

/

This is an age old Indian favourite as far as home healing plants are concerned. It is considered as an auspicious plant that is worshipped and an Indian home would be considered incomplete without a tulsi plant. Its leaves are used in ceremonial offerings but wow do the therapeutic properties of this plant exceed expectations!

Though tulsi is native to southeast Asia and commonly used as a tonic for the mind body and spirit, it seems to be an unsung hero for winter health and particularly useful as we approach the Kapha season (Spring).

There are around thirty different varieties of basil and although holy basil is different from the regular basil we are used to eating with our Italian dishes, it can contain some similar properties. It is worth noting however that holy basil also contains great nutritional value, including vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, iron and calcium.

Called the ‘queen of herbs’, tulsi is considered one of the best herbs for treating colds, coughs and flu, as well as for reducing inflammation and headaches.

As a rasayana herb (rejuvenative), we can consider it as a youth-promoting plant. Holy basil has brilliant anti-stress and mind clarifying properties. It is labelled as a sattvic herb, bringing purity to the mind and opening the heart. With strong volatile oils such as eugenol (also in parsley), tulsi also has magical antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Overview of uses/benefit
Here’s a snapshot of the wellness uses:

  • Combat colds & flu

  • Reduce sleep issues, fatigue

  • Reduce anxiety, stress, low mood

  • Protect body against infections

  • Mental clarity

  • Reduce joint pain (analgesic – natural painkiller)

  • Speed wound healing (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant)

  • Weight management

  • Hypertension

  • Blood sugar levels (diabetes type 2)

  • Lower imbalanced cholesterol

  • Digestive protection especially for ulcers

  • Reduce excess mucous in lungs

  • Reduce skin irritations (itching, urticaria etc)

How to include in your daily regime

All parts of the plant can be used for its medicinal properties from seeds, flowers, leaves. You can incorporate tulsi into you daily regime as a tea made with the leaves, flowers or dried leaves, chew on fresh leaves, as a supplement, or as an ointment or oil for topical use. Make a tea with tulsi leaves, a few whole cloves and a little salt when you have a cold or flu. You can also use this as a throat gargle too.

The Ayurvedic Science:
Botanical name: Ocimum sanctum
Quality: light, dry, penetrating
Taste: pungent, bitter
Potency: heating
Dosage/Safe usage: Please contact your Ayurvedic Practitioner

Buy organic tulsi capsules from recommended supplier - Fushi: Organic capsules / Organic tincture