Learn about tulsi plant benefits (tulsi ke fayde), tulsi medicinal uses, health benefits of tulsi leaves, tulsi juice, tulsi kadha and tulsi tea recipes.
What is tulsi?
Known as तुलसी or tulsi in Hindi (Tulsi meaning in English is Holy Basil), the scientific name of tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum.
The Tulsi tree is a medicinal herb and regarded as a sacred plant in India. In use since medieval times, tulsi medicinal uses and tulsi benefits (tulsi ke fayde in Hindi) are well-known and scientifically documented.
In Indian tradition, this medicinal herb is widely used in the form of a tulsi herbal tea and its essential oil is commonly used in tulsi Ayurveda preparations.
Types of tulsi plant
The tulsi plant (also known as the Tulasi plant or thulasi plant) is cultivated widely in India for religious and traditional medicine purposes.
There are three types of tulsi plants that are used medicinally, with the most commonly used tulsi varieties being Ram tulsi, Krishna tulsi and the common wild vana tulsi.
Tulsi power in Indian tradition
The importance of tulsi, the medicinal value of tulsi, and the health benefits of tulsi leaves have strong roots in Indian mythology.
In a post on the SHEROES app, Rajni Paul discusses how Indian women have seen their elders worship the tulsi plant at home for reasons of prosperity, livelihood and betterment. She also shares a fascinating story about tulsi from Indian mythology.
As the result of being cheated by a lord, Devi Vrinda immolated herself and, for cheating her, cursed Lord Vishnu that he would be separated from his loved one in his next human incarnation and his wife would also be impure like Vrinda.
This led Lord Vishnu to confess his guilt and grief in front of the entire world, and he announced that Vrinda a.k.a. Tulsi would not be considered impure, rather she would be worshipped as a Devi, and that no devotion would be complete without tulsi leaves.
The importance of the tulsi plant in Indian tradition is evident in the uses of tulsi leaves in Hindu religious traditions, such as the worship of the tulsi plant as the avatar of Lakshmi.
A tulsi plant is traditionally grown in the centre of the central courtyard of Hindu homes and families learn all about tulsi plant care, such as which tulsi is best for home, how to plant tulsi, how to take care of tulsi plants, and how to worship tulsi plant at home.
10 Tulsi Plant Benefits And Tulsi Medicinal Uses
Tulsi is not only a spiritual herb, but also an immunity-boosting tonic (tulsi ka kadha) commonly found in many regions of India. Due to the many advantages of tulsi, it is considered highly essential in the world of Ayurveda.
So, how can tulsi’s medicinal uses and the health benefits of tulsi leaves make our lives better? And how can the medicinal value of tulsi leaves be used to combat various ailments?
This tulsi medicinal plant information will help you understand how to use tulsi products such as tulsi leaves and tulsi juice to boost your health.
1. Tulsi for immunity
Boosting your immunity is one way of fighting off infections such as seasonal flu and other germs. Tulsi contains ursolic acid which has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties.
It also has anti-microbial and immune-boosting phytochemicals, bioflavonoids and anti-oxidants. Daily consumption helps scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative cellular damage.
Tulsi Kada or tulsi kadha is a popular immune-boosting concoction and tulsi for cough is a common remedy used in India. Another popular immune booster is to chew a few leaves of Tulsi (tulsi ka Patta) on an empty stomach.
Ritandhara Mishra’s Immuno Power Booster recipe explains the uses of tulsi in Hindi (tulsi ka upyog) for boosting immunity. Watch the video below to learn how to make tulsi kadha in Hindi.
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Tulsi benefits elders and those with compromised immunity who are more prone to catching germs and infections. Drinking tulsi seed oil can also prove to be extremely advantageous to health.
Tulsi also has the ability to bring down fevers. Consuming fresh tulsi juice from tulsi leaves along with black pepper can help lower your body temperature during a fever.
- One Wellness’ Tulsi Concentrate Herbal Drops
One Wellness’ Tulsi Concentrate Herbal Drops consists of nano-emulsified tulsi extract that provides all the benefits of Tulsi in the most bio-available form to maximize absorption. In just one drop a day, you can now get all the benefits of Tulsi.
Apart from just diluting One Wellness’ Tulsi Concentrate Herbal Drops in water, you can consume it in tea and juices as follows:
- In tea, dilute 2 drops of concentrated tulsi herbal extract for maximum absorption.
- In Juices, dilute 4 drops of concentrated tulsi herbal extract.
- In 1 litre and 20 litres of water, dilute 10 drops and 10 mL of concentrated tulsi herbal extract for maximum absorption.
The daily usage of tulsi drops for immunity boosting is mentioned on the packaging. However, please consult a physician before daily consumption of these drops.
2. Eating tulsi leaves mitigates stress
Stress can trigger severe mental conditions like depression, and physical maladies like diabetes, heart ailments, hypertension and weight gain. Tulsi is a powerful adaptogenic herb that reduces stress and increases energy.
It can lower the stress-induced release of adrenal hormones and help in balancing cortisol levels. Eating tulsi leaves daily can keep stress away and bring several other benefits too.
3. Benefits of tulsi for skin
The benefit of tulsi for skin healing has been well-documented. Ursolic acid in tulsi promotes skin healing, enhances elasticity, and shows potential for preventing and curing skin cancer.
Tulsi has several antioxidants that help in preventing skin problems like premature ageing. Tulsi ginger tea can work as an anti-inflammatory remedy and promote detoxification, reducing breakouts.
Because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s quite common to see people applying tulsi on a cut in India. Tulsi leaves are even being used after major surgeries to hasten wound healing and manage keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Steep 2 to 4 teaspoons of dried tulsi leaves in hot water for about 20 minutes to make tulsi water. Benefits include reduced inflammation when applied to the skin or consumed as tulsi tea.
4. Tulsi can reduce the risk of cancer
One of the benefits of drinking tulsi water daily is that it can reduce the risk of cancer. Ursolic acid in tulsi has shown potent anticancer effects in the treatment of melanoma.
Other ingredients in the tulsi extract, like eugenol, apigenin, rosmarinic acid, β–sitosterol, myretenal, luteolin, and carnosic acid also inhibit cancer cells. For patients on chemotherapy, tulsi’s antioxidative effects can protect against radiation and chemotherapy-induced damage.
Tulsi also supports drug and nicotine withdrawal and can help you quit smoking – another major cause of cancer. So, if you’re trying to get rid of your smoking habit, keep a few tulsi leaves (tulsi patta) handy and chew on them whenever you feel like smoking.
5. Tulsi is excellent for heart health
Tulsi has a cardiotonic effect that nourishes the cardiovascular system, inhibits platelet aggregation and exhibits a profound anti-atherogenic effect, making it an excellent herb for heart health. Ursolic acid in tulsi has antihyperlipidemic properties that lower cholesterol, normalise blood pressure and lipids.
Regular consumption of tulsi can help you reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders, regulate cortisol levels and control stress, prevent hypertension, strokes, and ischemia – all of which contribute to heart conditions.
- Ausum Tea NoStress
Lower stress levels, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases with this revitalizing brew. Ausum Tea NoStress contains a unique and special extraction of Tulsi leaves that provides an optimal concentration of active compounds to alleviate anxiety and lower blood pressure while also enhancing calm and confidence.
This caffeine-free, herbal tea also includes Hibiscus and Spearmint and is clinically proven to increase immunity. Ausum teas come in 100% biodegradable cornstarch pyramid teabags and have no sugar, sweeteners or preservatives.
6. Tulsi protects the liver and kidneys
Ursolic acid in tulsi has hepatoprotective properties and protects the liver. Tulsi’s detoxifying and diuretic properties help excrete excess uric acid in the blood, preventing kidney stones from forming and providing relief to those suffering from gout.
7. Tulsi helps balance blood sugar
Tulsi has also been shown to counter metabolic stress by normalizing blood glucose. Ursolic acid in tulsi has also proven to be effective in balancing blood sugar and insulin metabolism, making it easier for you to manage your weight.
8. Tulsi for hair nourishment
Massaging a few drops of tulsi hair oil diluted with coconut oil can improve the health of your tresses and nourish them. Tulsi can improve the thickness of your hair and make it look glossier.
9. Tulsi for respiratory disorders
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, tulsi is used to strengthen the respiratory system and is prescribed for coughs and colds, especially when associated with asthma and bronchitis.
Compounds such as rosmarinic acid present in tulsi extracts are great for promoting better respiratory health. Daily consumption helps clear up cough and chest infections, soothe the throat naturally and expectorate mucus.
10. Tulsi mitigates depression and anxiety
Scientific studies have demonstrated the antidepressant potential of ursolic acid as a possible agent for the treatment of depression and the anxiolytic-like effects of orally administered ursolic acid, which makes it a novel treatment for anxiety-related disorders.
Ursolic acid in tulsi can elevate mood, relieve depression, help with processing grief and fear, and even reduce Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
Side effects of tulsi
Tulsi or holy basil is considered safe to be consumed by mouth for shorter periods. Consumption of tulsi ras might cause nausea or diarrhoea in the starting days of consumption, but it’s not known if they have long term health side effects.
There are some side effects of tulsi, including decreased fertility in men and women, and slower blood clotting. So it may help to avoid consuming tulsi if you’re trying to conceive or are breastfeeding, and for at least two weeks before and after surgery.
In general, tulsi should be avoided by women trying to conceive, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and those planning to undergo surgery. If you have diabetes, consult a doctor before consuming tulsi ras because it interferes with blood sugar levels.
This list of tulsi plants uses shows the goodness of tulsi and demonstrates just how versatile and useful the tulsi plant is. Read Ritandhara Mishra’s post on the benefits of tulsi leaves in Hindi and learn how to make tulsi tea with this tulsi tea recipe.
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Use the sacred Tulsi herb daily and lay the first step towards a healthier and happier life. If you liked this information on how to use tulsi leaves, tulsi juice and tulsi tea to boost your health, share this post and leave a comment below.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is presented to educate people. Nothing contained on this website should be construed nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please promptly call or see your physician or another qualified healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare providers before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Also read:
- 7 Health Supplements To Increase Immunity
- 5 Ayurvedic And Natural Herbal Extracts To Boost Your Kid’s Health
- 10 Health And Wellness Brands To Support Your Health And Vitality
- 10 Healthy Foods To Boost Immune System
- Natural Remedies To Boost Immune System
- 6 Benefits Of Green Vegetables (Plus A Green Juice Recipe)
About the author:
Priya Florence Shah is the Group Editor at SHEROES and author of Devi2Diva, an emotional self-care book for women.
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