USES OF BASIL

In traditional Indian medicine system called Ayurveda, Tulsi (Holy Basil) is considered an important herb to cure disorders and sickness.

Tulsi is an erect sweet -scented pubescent herb, 30-100cm in height , growing in abundance near cultivated field gardens and waste lands. Its leaves, seeds and whole plant is useful.
Tulsi is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely known across the Indian subcontinent as a medicinal plant commonly used in Ayurveda. Tulsi leaves, stem flowers and seeds are used in ayurvedic preparations.

Ayurveda describes the properties of Tulsi as follows:

1. Tulsi has anti-inflammatory properties. Hence its external application on swollen parts helps to diminish swelling and pain.

2. Tulsi helps in many skin sicknesses. It is effective in skin rashes, insect bites and itching. Leaves of this plant are effectively used in ring worm infections.

3. Fresh juice of Tulsi leaves is to get rid of headache and diseases of head and neck. Tulsi leaves help to sharpen memory.

4. Paste and Juice of Tulsi leaves help to decrease acne, pimples and scars.

5. According ayurveda, preparations of Tulsi are beneficial in indigestion, intestinal parasites and constipation.

6. Crushed leaves of tulsi are very effective in fever, cough, bronchitis and other diseases of lungs. It helps in expectoration of excess mucous secretion.

7. Consuming 10 – 12 leaves of Tulsi per day helps to decrease stress.

8. Apart from these researches have shown that Tulsi is very effective in reducing blood sugar and blood cholesterol.

Traditionally, Tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted from Tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics.

The intake of Tulsi can be in several forms. In the form of cream , oil , ointment etc. The scientific name for Tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum.