Most Amazing Health Benefits of Tulsi

Ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as Ocimum sanctum, holy basil, or tulsi, is an aromatic plant which is native to the Indian Subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. It is an erect, many branched subshrub, 30–60 cm tall with hairy stems and simple opposite green or purple leaves that are strongly scented. Tulsi Leaves have petioles and are ovate, up to 5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. The flowers are purplish in elongate racemes in close whorls.The two main morphotypes cultivated in India and Nepal are green-leaved (Sri or Lakshmi tulsi) and purple-leaved (Krishna tulsi).

Tulsi and Holy Basil is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely known across the Indian Subcontinent as a medicinal plant and an herbal tea. There are many uses of Tulsi in Ayurveda, and has an important role within the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving holy basil plants or leaves.

Health Benefits of Tulsi:-There are multiple medicinal uses of Tulsi. It is used in Ayurveda since long time. It rejuvenates and energizes the body. . It keeps one fresh mentally and stimulates the thought process. The holy basil is a homemade remedy for a lot of common ailments.

Relieves Cold and Fever:-The tulsi medicinal uses begin with the ability of the leaves to cure many kinds of fever. In case of acute fever, a decoction of the leaves boiled with cardamom powder in half a litre of water mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature.Tulsi is also a good germicidal agent and a disinfectant that protects the human body from all types of viral infections.

Beats stress:- Tulsi maintains the normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.  The leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties and anti-stress agents. It soothens the nerves, regulates blood circulation and beats free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress. People who have high stress jobs can chew about 12 leaves of tulsi twice a day to beat stress naturally.

Respiratory Disorder:-The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.

Stress:-This is the main benefit of Tulsi Leaves. Vitamin-C and other antioxidants in Holy Basil, apart from repairing damages done by free radicals, also minimize the stress caused by these oxidants. They soothe the nerves, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and thus reduce stress. One such component is Camphene. Potassium also reduces blood pressure-related stress by replacing sodium and loosening the tense blood vessels.

Improves Digestion:- The traditional use for Tulsi leaves is to help digestion and the organs associated with it. A tea made with tulsi is used to relieve stomachache, excessive acidity in the stomach and constipation. The herb is also a remedy for nausea, especially when combined with ginger in a tea. Even though tulsi has been used to help relieve morning sickness, its use is absolutely not recommended for pregnant women.

Children Related Diseases:-  There are many benefits of Tulsi or Holy Basil for your children. It treats common paediatric problems like cold, vomiting etc. The recommended use of tulsi leaves for children are as follows:-

• Take it with honey at the time of chicken pox.

• Give your baby tulsi juice regularly. It helps in the growth of teeth. Massage gums with the mix of honey and tulsi leaves. 

• At the time of cough, give the mixture of honey and tulsi to your child. 

Good for Teeth:- The use of Tulsi leaves in treating teeth disorders. It maintains the health of the gums and helps to counteract bad breath, pyorrhoea and other dental problems. This tooth paste can also be rubbed on the gums to hinder gum inflammation. Tulsi is an excellent mouth freshener and oral disinfectant and destroys 99% of germs and bacteria found in the mouth. These leaves are quite effective for several mouth infections like ulcer.