Ocimum tenuiflorum - Tulsi plant

Tulsi plant

Tulsi or Tulasi [Ocimum Tenuiflorum] or Holi Basil is a scared plant in Hindu belief. Hindus regarding it as an earthy manifestation of the goddess Tulsi, she is regarded as a great worshipper of the god Vishnu The plant is cultivated for religious and medical purposes, and for its essential oil.

Useful parts of the plant

• Leaves, Root, Seed and entire plant.

Health benefits of tulsi

1. Cures a fever: Tulsi has very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties that are great for resolving fevers. It has the potential to cure any fever right from those caused due to common infections to those caused due to malaria as well. In ayurveda, it is strongly advised that a person suffering from fever should have a decoction made of tulsi leaves.
2. Protects the heart: Tulsi has a powerful anti-oxidant component called Eugenol. This compound helps protect the heart by keeping one’s blood pressure under control and lowering his/her cholesterol levels. Chewing a few leaves of tulsi on an empty stomach everyday can both prevent and protect any heart ailments.
3. Dissolves kidney stones: The holy basil being a great diuretic and detoxifier is great for the kidneys. Tulsi helps reduce the uric acid levels in the blood (one of the main reasons for kidney stones is the presence of excess uric acid in the blood), helps cleanse the kidneys, the presence of acetic acid and other components in its essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones and its painkiller effect helps dull down the pain of kidney stones. To relieve kidney stones one must have the juice of tulsi leaves with honey, every day for six months to help wash out the stone from the kidney.
4. Keeps your skin and hair healthy and glowing
5. Cures a headache etc

Common name

• English - Tulasi
• Kannada - ತುಳಸಿ
• Hindi - तुलसी

External links

• "indianexpress"
• "livestrong"
• "wikipedia"