Tulsi, commonly known as Holy Basil, is a medicinal plant that has a wide range of medicinal characteristics and therapeutic health benefits. Tulsi is an adaptogen, which means it helps the body deal with stress, reduces inflammation, increases immunity, improves brain function, and promotes lifespan.
Tulsi, according to scientists, contains a high concentration of bioactive chemicals that can boost general health and well-being. Tulsi’s ayurvedic and scientific health advantages are immense.
Where is Tulsi found?
Tulsi is a tiny, leafy, vivid green shrub that can be either a perennial or an annual depending on where it is cultivated. Its leaves, which are members of the basil family (Lamiaceae), can be green or purple depending on the type. It has a halo of fragrant, aromatic blooms, making it a favorite of bees and other pollinators.
Tulsi, one of the most respected and celebrated Ayurvedic plants, grows in abundance throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in India.
Tulsi’s Ayurvedic Health Benefits
Tulsi is utilized in Ayurvedic medicine as part of a comprehensive programme that takes into account the patient’s individual dosha profile. Doshas are classified into three types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas have an impact on one’s physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
Tulsi, according to Ayurvedic practitioners, balances Vata (cold and dry properties) and Kapha (warm and wet qualities). Tulsi is regarded as a tonic for the body, mind, and spirit. The herb is also used to treat a variety of ailments, including:
- Cold, flu, fever, ear ache, bronchitis, malaria, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis are examples of infectious diseases.
- Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and dysentery are gastrointestinal diseases.
- Headache, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and genitourinary problems are among the other conditions.
It is vital to emphasize that the majority of these advantages are anecdotal. Many of Tulsi’s Ayurvedic health advantages have yet to be supported by scientific research.
What Is the Purpose of Tulsi?
Tulsi provides numerous health advantages for the body, mind, and soul, providing assistance on both physical and subtle levels. Tulsi has the following advantages:
- Providing Adaptogenic Assistance.
Tulsi, one of the most important adaptogenic herbs, helps the body cope with stress, enhances mental clarity, and aids in regeneration.
- Lung Health Support.
Tulsi is well-known for its ability to nourish the lungs, remove kapha buildup, and promote healthy, unobstructed breathing.
- Increasing Circulation Health.
Because of its actions in the plasma tissue layer (rasa dhatu), tulsi promotes healthy circulation and, as a result, a robust and healthy heart.
- Weight management assistance.
Tulsi promotes proper weight management by acting on the adipose tissue layer (meda dhatu).
Keeping a Normal Body Temperature. Tulsi, despite being considered hot, helps maintain a normal body temperature. This is referred to as its prabhava in Ayurveda, a property that cannot be grasped solely through its energetics.
- Vata and Kapha Doshas must be balanced.
Aside from balancing kapha in the lungs, it also balances excess kapha and vata in the mind and nerves, and is frequently used to ease vata in the digestive tract.
Reduce anxiety and stress
The holy basil plant, in its entirety, functions as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a natural chemical that aids in stress adaptation and promotes mental balance.
An adaptogen is a comprehensive strategy. However, scientific evidence suggests that holy basil has pharmacological qualities that can assist your mind cope with many sorts of stress.
Source of your tension could be:
- chemical
- physical
- infectious
- emotional
In the case of physical stress, holy basil has been shown to boost animal endurance. Animals given holy basil leaf extracts and subjected to environment-induced stress situations demonstrated:
- improved metabolism
- increased swimming time with less tissue injury
- reduce stress in noisy situations
Various studies showed that humans saw reduced:
- stress
- sexual problems
- sleep problems
- forgetfulness
- exhaustion
Ayurvedic practitioners advise making holy basil tea from the leaves. And because it contains no caffeine, it is safe to drink on a daily basis. Tea drinking can be as ritualistic and relaxing as yoga. It promotes clarity of thought, relaxation, and a general sense of well-being.
If the bitter and spicy flavor of basil isn’t your thing, a supplement in pill form or as an alcohol extract is available. Taking a herb in its natural form reduces the chance of infection.
Revitalize your body.
Holy basil is also high in antioxidants and aids in detoxification. According to research, holy basil can protect your body from hazardous substances. It may also be used to prevent cancer by slowing the growth of malignant cells.
Infection prevention and wound care
Tulsi’s leaf extracts are claimed to improve wound healing speed and strength. Holy basil is also known as:
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- Antifungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic (pain reliever).
Some people even use holy basil to cure and protect their wounds after surgery. Holy basil improves the breaking strength, healing time, and contraction of your wound. The breaking strength of a wound relates to how much pressure or weight it can withstand before breaking.
According to research, holy basil may be effective against infections and wounds such as:
- mouth ulcers
- keloids
- raised scars
- acne
Reduce your blood sugar levels
All parts of the holy basil plant can help lower blood sugar if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Animal and human research have indicated that holy basil can help reduce diabetic symptoms such as:
- gaining weight
- Hyperinsulinemia, or an excess of insulin in the blood, is associated with high cholesterol.
- insulin sensitivity
- Hypertension
Before including holy basil into your diet, consult your doctor. If you are already on blood sugar management drugs, it may cause your blood sugar levels to drop even more.
Is Tulsi safe to consume?
While tulsi can be quite beneficial in a wide range of situations, it is crucial to note that it is not typically indicated when there is a high pitta health state. Tulsi is warming, therefore if pitta is an issue, combine it with cooling herbs such as brahmi/gotu kola and hibiscus.
Contraindications
Tulsi is not advised for persons who are pregnant, nursing, or attempting to get pregnant. It should also be avoided if you have low blood sugar levels. We recommend checking with your Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare provider before trying tulsi if you are using drugs.
In conclusion
Tulsi has proved to be highly effective in protecting our body from various infections and diseases of the liver, skin, kidney, etc. It contains powerful oxidants that can help in keeping your blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels under control, making it one of the best heart-healthy foods.