Tulsi, Basil, Uses and Benefits, Buy Dry Tulsi leaves online at Astroshastra , Delhi India

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Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Also known as

basil
Latin : Ocimum basilicum
English : Holy Basil
Sanskrit : Tulasi, Surasah
Hindi : Kalatulsi
Marathi : Tulas
Tamil : Karuttulaci, Tulasi
Telugu : Tulasi
Malayalam : Krshnattulasi
Kannada : Kari tulasi
The sanskrit word "Tulasi" means "incomparable”

How it looks—It is an erect, aromatic, branching herb, with green or purplish leaves, white, green or pale purple leaves and oval black fruits.

What we use—whole plant

What it does—It is aromatic, thermogenic, anti-inflammatory antispasmodic, galactogogue, antibacterial, anti-emetic, insecticidal and antipyretic.

How we use it

In cough—Drink the juice of the leaves of the black variety of tulsi with a tsp of honey thrice a day. Or you could chew the leaves from time to time.

In irritation or pain in the throat—Gargle with warm water in which Tulsi leaves have been boiled, and drink the same, until relief is obtained.

In night blindness—Instill 2 drops of tulsi leaves in the eyes daily at bedtime.

In insect sting or allergic rashes—Drink tulsi juice in water and apply the fresh juice on the stung area to reduce inflammation. In skin infections too, the same procedure is highly beneficial.

In hives or urticaria—Take an infusion of tulsi leaves, neem leaves and fenugreek seeds with honey.

In ear infections—When there is pus in the ear and the ear emits a foul odour, a few drops of tulsi should be instilled in the ears to clear the pus and combat infection.

In seasonal fevers—Take tulsi leaf juice with pepper thrice a day to bring down the temperature and clearing the infection.

Modern studies

tulsi
1. Tulsi was found to increase humoral and cell mediated immunity in experimental studies.

2. Antibecterial and antifungal effects of Rama Tulsi collected from Congo were demonstrated in experimental studies.

3. The leaf powder administered to rats was shown to considerably decrease fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol and phospholipids.

4. Experimental studies on rats proved that administering them with the essential oil of Tulsi helps correct behavioural reactions of syress.

5. Anti cataract activity of Tulsi was observed in experimental models with delay in development of various stages of cataract on administration.