Holy Basil

HOLY BASIL aka Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tulsi, Tulasi or Vrinda is a sacred plant in Hindu belief.

GROW

Propagate : seed or cuttings

Light : Sunny

Water : 1-2 times a day

Soil : good drainage

Fertilizer : weekly

USES

Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) is also considered ‘The queen of herbs’ as it is regarded as a pre-eminent herb in Ayurvedic medicine.

Strenghten Immune Systems: It is viewed that tulasi helps one strengthen the immunity power and immune response of the body. Gives you a sense of well being.

Good for liver: tulasi mixed with other herbal powder showed notable antioxidant activity and acted very well to guard the liver against any injury.

Cures digestive disorders: Consuming tulasi leaves and sipping tulasi tea helps stimulate the appetite and improves digestion by minimising the gas and bloating and increasing the gastric juices’ flow.

Heal Respiratory Problems: The use of tulasi leaves for treating common cold and fever is practised traditionally.  The mixture of honey, ginger, and tulasi is regarded as an effective remedy for curing respiratory infections like bronchitis, bronchial asthma, sore throat, influenza, cough, and cold. In many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants, tulsi is a significant ingredient.

Combat Cancer: In a 2013 review, it is confirmed that some of tulasi’s phytochemicals eugenol, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, myretenal, luteolin, β-sitosterol, and carnosic acid help people prevent and treat various types of cancers including skin, oral, lung and liver cancers. As per the review, these phytochemicals do so by increasing the antioxidant activity, altering the gene expressions, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis. Also, this review briefs the chemopreventive and radioprotective properties of tulasi.