It’s incredible what a simple herb or plant can offer as a health aid! Tulsi is a member of the sector of plants and herbs that is highly medicinal, supplying many different vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds that have profound health effects on the human body.
There are four well-known Tulsi types in India, each with beneficial properties. Since this holy herb is used so popularly for health reasons, it’s been dubbed the ‘Queen of Herbs.’
Find out all the amazing benefits and properties of tulsi!
10 Uses of Tulsi For Health
Tulsi is an important aspect of Ayurvedic medicine and has been studied by modern medicine as well. In both cases, tulsi has been recommended for myriad reasons, since it can help prevent and cure many different ailments.
Some medicinal uses of the tulsi plant include:
- Antimicrobial
- Antifungal
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- Antiprotozoal
- Antimalarial
- Antihelmintic
- Anti-diarrhoeal
- Antioxidant
- Anti-cataract
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antitumor
- Radioprotective
- Liver, brain, and heart protective
- Anti-diabetic
- Analgesic
- Anti-pyretic (anti-fever)
- Anti-stress
- Mosquito repellant
- Among many others!
Tulsi is high in a few different essential and helpful nutrients including:
- Vitamin A - Eye health, skin health, immune function
- Vitamin C - Maintain and build healthy body cells (skin, bones, blood vessels, etc) maintain healthy metabolism boost immune function.
- Zinc - Immunity and DNA production
- Calcium - Build and maintain bone density & health
- Iron - Red Blood Cell Production
- Chlorophyll - Helps rid the body of toxins, and cognitive & brain health
Tulsi Reduces Stress
Tulsi has antidepressant and antianxiety properties which help to gently relax the nervous system. This is the primary reason the herb is considered an adaptogen. It helps the body handle stress with less of a reaction, which means less cortisol, less inflammation, and less mental and physical distress.
Prevent Sickness and Recover Faster
Due to the vitamins in Tulsi, the immune system can be strengthened to prevent sicknesses, illnesses, and certain diseases from happening. If you do fall ill, tulsi can help shorten the amount of time you experience symptoms and may even help slow down or halt more serious diseases, like cancer.
Tulsi has been the subject of numerous scientific studies, including experiments on animals and humans, as well as in vitro studies.
These studies have shown that tulsi possesses a variety of beneficial properties, such as being antimicrobial (including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antimalarial, and anthelmintic), as well as mosquito repellent.
Additionally, tulsi has been found to have anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, anti-arthritic, adaptogenic, anti-stress, anti-cataract, anti-leukodermal, and anti-coagulant activities.
These pharmacological actions can help the body and mind deal with a wide range of stresses and restore physiological and psychological function.
Tulsi Helps Healing
Due to the medicinal properties of tulsi, many people use it to heal things like mouth sores, cuts and scrapes, minor burns, and insect bites.
Internal Health
Additionally, tulsi may help with issues like gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, kidney stones, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irregular blood sugar levels, fibromyalgia, diabetes, obesity, respiratory issues, kidney problems, and cognitive health (reducing the chance of dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc).
Cosmetic Benefits
Tusli helps boost skin and hair health, meaning it can clear skin blemishes, prevent wrinkles, and boost healthy hair growth.
Tulsi Plant In Ayurveda
Ayurveda, the world's oldest medical system, approaches health and disease holistically by emphasizing preserving and promoting good health and preventing disease through healthy lifestyle practices.
These practices include consuming fresh, minimally processed foods, using formulas to combat aging and disease, employing advanced detoxification methods, and regularly consuming adaptogenic herbs to enhance the body's ability to maintain balance in the face of various stressors.
Tulsi is often called the "Elixir of Life" in the Ayurveda system due to its healing properties and is used to treat various common health conditions. In the Indian Material Medica, tulsi leaf extracts are recommended for managing bronchitis, rheumatism, and fever.
Ayurveda's use of medicinal and culinary herbs relies on India's rich biodiversity, with tulsi or holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) holding a status unparalleled by any other herb.
Tulsi is a Potent Adaptogen
The tulsi plant is well-known as being an adaptogenic herb.
Its leaves contain compounds that serve many medicinal purposes, from antimicrobial and anti-stress effects to radioprotective (against radiation) and anti-diabetic effects.
What Are Adaptogens?
Nikolai Lazarev, a Soviet toxicologist, coined the term "adaptogen" in 1947 to describe natural substances that appear to increase an organism's resistance to stress.
According to Lazarev's (admittedly vague) definition, adaptogens help the body cope with stress. According to current thinking, adaptogens are mushroom and plant compounds that help the body regulate its stress response, encourage healthy immune function, and boost energy.
Aside from helping the body recover from stress faster (like an emotional incident or mild physical trauma), they can also reduce the impact of illnesses and diseases and have a positive effect on the body overall.
To be considered an adaptogen, a plant or mushroom must not be toxic or harmful at reasonable dosages.
How Does Adaptogens Work?
Adaptogens are currently believed to affect the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis and the endocrine system, according to a 2021 study by Todorova V, Ivanov K, Delattre C, et al. Therefore, substances in the adaptogenic plant may influence enzymes and hormones in these organs, affecting blood cells, glucose, nitric oxide, lactate, cortisol, lipids, and liver enzymes.
It’s important to note that in the US and UK, marketing supplements and foods with the term is prohibited as of 2023 since it has no scientific backing; the term isn't recognized in pharmacology or physiology. As a traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India, it is recognized and regulated by the Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) departments.
Tulsi in Hindu Culture
Tulsi is related to other types of basil (like the well-known Italian basil with a sweet, bright flavour) but has its history. This Holy Basil originates in India and Nepal and has been a pivotal inclusion in ancient Ayurvedic medicine as well as Hindu scriptures, as it’s mentioned as being especially sacred for the worship of Vishnu.
The botanical name of tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum, showing its revered status. There are four types of tulsi in India:
- Rama (Green Leaf) Tulsi / aka Sri or Lakshmi Tulasi
- Krishna (Purple Leaf) Tulsi / aka Shyama Tulsi
- Vana (Wild Leaf) Tulsi
- Kapoor (Heavy Flowered) Tulsi
Tulsi is also called Tulasi or Vrinda, and is believed to be a manifestation of Lakshmi, and thus the consort of the god Vishnu. Because of this, tulsi is always part of the worship of Vishnu, Krishna, and Vithoba.
It’s common for Hindu households to grow tulsi in special pots or structures called Tulsi Vrindavan for spiritual reasons (but the plant also helps keep away mosquitoes).
Tulsi is so revered that it even has its own festival, called Tulsi Vivah, which celebrates the marriage of Tulsi and Vishnu.
Those who tend to the tulsi plant are said to gain moksha.
The Hindu scriptures hold great religious significance for the Tulsi plant. According to popular belief, the Goddess Lakshmi is believed to reside within the Tulsi plant. It is said that daily worship of Tulsi pleases Goddess Lakshmi, leading to her blessings and bringing happiness and prosperity into the household.
Tulsi Vivah, the ceremonial marriage of Tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu or his avatar Krishna, is celebrated annually in Hindu households. It usually occurs during the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November). During this festival, the marriage ceremony is enacted with great devotion and fervor.
Ayurvedic Properties of Tulsi
Since tulsi is part of the Vedas and an important ancient medicinal herb, it has many ascribed Ayurvedic properties.
| Quality | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa | Dhatu | Permeates the tissues |
| Rasa | Katu | Pungent |
| Virya | Ushna | Heating |
| Vipaka | Katu | Pungent after digestion |
| Tulsi pacifies all three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. | ||
How to Use Tulsi
The leaves and flowers of the tulsi plant are used. The stem and roots are not typically used for medicinal purposes.
You can eat tulsi raw and fresh or dried by itself or incorporate it into many different foods. It’s also very popular as a tea made of fresh or dry leaves.
You can also find tulsi in capsule, tablet, tincture, or essential oil form.
Take tulsi fresh, in food, in tablets, or capsules for internal use.
You can apply tulsi oil diluted in a carrier oil to the skin and scalp to help prevent and get rid of things like dandruff and minor skin issues like eczema.
A poultice of tulsi leaves can be applied to minor wounds to help prevent infection and assist in faster healing.
Tulsi is generally a safe herb to take in moderate doses. But, it's unclear if it may harm fertility, pregnancy, and breastfed babies.
Side Effects of Tulsi
While tulsi is generally a safe plant to use as part of your daily routine and diet, too much of anything may cause problems.
Ingesting an excess amount of tulsi may cause nausea.
It’s also extremely important that your tulsi is harvested from a clean farm, away from water, air, and soil pollution. Tulsi absorbs toxins from its environment, so using contaminated tulsi can expose you to higher levels of toxins.
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It’s also unclear if tulsi has negative effects on fertility, pregnancy, and breastmilk, so if you are trying to conceive, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should avoid taking the herb.
Always consult with your doctor before adding tulsi or other medicinal herbs to your diet or wellness routine!
Tulsi is an amazing herb with countless benefits. What else can you expect from a plant with deep spiritual meanings? Give Tulsi a try for health and medicinal purposes!
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