“Tulsi” – The holistic plant of India and human being’s herbal allies. It is a beautiful, delicious, aromatic plant with numerous health beneficial properties. This green leafy plant is native to Southeast Asia and also named as Ocimum sanctum L. Tulsi is a traditional and well described plant in Ayurveda literature due to its history of uses in treating various conditions from eye disorders to ringworms. Starting from the seed to the leaves, each part of Tulsi is a herbal tonic for evaluating the mind, spirit and the body. Each part is used in managing specific conditions:
- Fresh flowers are used in bronchitis
- Leaves and seeds are used in combination with black pepper in malaria
- Whole plant is beneficial in vomiting, nausea and diarrhea
- Pill and ointment form of tulsi is used in eczema
- Alcoholic extract is used in relieving stomach ulcers and eye disorders
- Essential oil made with the leave extract is used in treating insect bites
The researches and studies proven that the whole Tulsi plant is high in nutritional value and contains:
- Vitamin A and C
- Iron
- Zinc
- Chlorophyll
- Calcium
Tulsi in Ayurveda
Ayurveda always praises the sacred nature of the tulsi. The Sanskrit name of tulsi states “the incomparable one”. Obviously there is no comparison between Tulsi and other herbal plants. There is no substitute also which can be used as an alternative for tulsi.
Tulsi is high in Sattva- the principle of clarity, perception and light. Being a sattvic herb, tulsi fills your body, mind and soul with its divine energy in a complete Ayurvedic manner.
Uses of Tulsi and its benefits
Being a powerful nutritious plant, Tulsi has the ability to induce Ojas and Prana. Ojas is an essence found in every tissue (dhatu) and plays a crucial role in maintaining their health. Ojas are directly connected with the body’s immune power. The increase Ojas means strengthening of the immune system and body tissues, increased vigor, joy and pleasure during the whole life span. While Prana are those that create us and our vital life force. Ojas provide protection to the Pranas and Tulsi induces the both, leading to a healthy and increased life journey.
Reduce stress and anxiety
The whole Tulsi plant is a powerhouse of adaptogenic properties and acts as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a natural compound which aids your body in adapting to stress and promoting mental health by balancing hormone levels. The therapeutic properties present in Tulsi support the mind to overcome many types of stress and health-related ailments. In this overwhelmed, busy and overstressed lifestyle, consumption of herb is very advantageous to maintain overall mental health.
Vitalize and stimulate the body
Being a rich source of antioxidants, Tulsi detoxifies the body by removing toxic substances from the blood. These toxic substances can lead to the growth of tumors or cancer in the blood if doesn’t get eliminated at the correct time. Several researches have proven that the tulsi plant defends your body against harmful toxic substances and rejuvenates the cells and tissues.
Protect body against infections and treat wounds
Antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties are present in high quantities in the Tulsi plant. These properties are supposed to pace up the wound recovery and inhibit the growth of any harmful bacteria, fungus or virus in the blood. You can use extract prepared from the tulsi leaves just after the surgery to heal and protect your wound from infection.
Studies proven that tulsi can work against wounds and infections, such as:
- Acne
- Raised scars
- Keloids
- Mouth ulcers
Regulate blood sugar level
Patients having type-2 diabetes can consume any part of the tulsi plant to maintain normal sugar level in the blood. Tulsi plant has the ability to prevent symptoms of diabetes like:
- Hypertension
- Insulin resistance
- High cholesterol
- Hyperinsulinemia (increased insulin levels)
- Obesity
Protect stomach
Consumption of tulsi can counteract the negative impact of stress-induced ulcers and enhance stomach’s defense naturally by:
- Increasing mucus cells
- Increase secretion of mucus
- Decreasing stomach acid
- Improving life of mucus cells
Add Tulsi to your life
Tulsi is an amazing and pretty complex herb. But the methods by which you can consume it are quite simple and easy to do to integrate your day. Here is a great idea to include tulsi in your daily routine:
1. Tulsi Drops
Life Aveda offers you Tulsi drops prepared with pure extracts of 5 types of tulsi extracts. All five types of tulsi –Ban tulsi, Sweet tulsi, Ram tulsi, Kali tulsi and Kapoori tulsi are extracted and used in preparing Tulsi Drops. This herbal formulation is a blood purifying and cleansing remedy loaded with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. For a simple and delicious way is to mix our tulsi drop concentration with hot water and enjoy. If you’re experiencing a little excess kapha, add some honey to tulsi drops. To increase the sattvic qualities and promote the ojas, add ghee in tulsi drops with hot water.
Dosage: Consume 4-5 drops twice daily after or before the meals.
2. Immunity Revival drops
To promote the health of the immune and respiratory system, Life Aveda formulated immunity revival drops with Tulsi and several other health beneficial herbs such as Amla (Emblica officinalis), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Dalchini (Cinnamomum cassia), Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), etc. This wonderful herbal formulation is a powerful source of energy to rejuvenate and detoxify the body. Along with that, these drops will provide strength to your immune system to defend the body against numerous dreadful diseases. Cough and cold conditions can also be managed with these drops in a natural manner.
Dosage: Consume 4-5 drops twice daily after or before the meals.
Here at Life Aveda, the holistic plant- Tulsi is a longtime favorite when it’s the matter of boosting the immune system of the body and soothing the overall health.
The Bottom Line
A small sized Tulsi plant is richly packed with sattvic, ojas-full, adaptogenic and delicious content. It is beneficial for you to establish a friendship bond with Tulsi by adapting its usage in daily routine. It is a plant for overall well-being and supports you to keep your own body safe from a wide range of infections and diseases.
