Healing powers of Tulsi leaf- holy basil
The Incomparable Queen of Herbs
All of us know too well that Tulsi or sometimes
referred as Holy Basil is so divine for Sri Hari Vishnu
bhakti (devotion).
The tulsi leaves or its seeds are offered to all Sri
Hari Vishnu avtaars - like Sri Ram, Sri Krishna and Sri
Narsingh. Ardent Sri Ram's bhakt, Sri Hanumanji is
also easily pleased with the offering of Tulsi patram. The Tulsi Leaf is also a herbal
remedy for a lot of common human body ailments.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT TULSI PATRAM
What you should do:
1. Offer the patram to Sri Hari Vishnu and his avtaars daily. If fresh leaves are not available then use leaves picked previous day or those fallen on ground.
2. Be taken in mouth after offering to Gods as prasad. Do not bite on this auspicious leaf, rather swallow if unable to keep in mouth for long.
3. Light a diya (lamp out of ghee) under Tulsi plant daily or 365 diyas on Kartik Purnima to make up for days missed during the year.
What you Should NOT DO:
1. Pick the leaves on:
a. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
b. On Purnima and Ekadashi days
c. Before sunrise or after sunset
d. During Suutak-ie times of mourning after a family death
e. After birth of a new born
2. Should NOT picked with shoes on or without taking a shower.
MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF USING TULSI LEAF [Holy Basil]
The tulsi or holy basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is
worshipped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. The holy basil is also a
herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. The list below has some of the
important medicinal uses of tulsi.
1. Healing Power- Tulsi plant has multiple medicinal elements. The leaves are a
nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal
matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach
and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.
2. Fever & Common Cold- The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. In parts
of India, during the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely
prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against these diseases.
In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom
in half a litre of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature.
The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extracts of tulsi leaves in
fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips
of cold water. In children, it is very effective in bringing down the temperature.
3. Coughs- Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and
expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi
leaves relieves cold and flu.
4. Sore Throat- Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.
5. 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 litre of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.
6. Kidney Stone- has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the
juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via
the urinary tract.
7. Heart Disorder- Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness
resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.
8. Children's Ailments- Common paediatrics problems like cough cold, fever,
diarrhoea and vomiting respond favourably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules
of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten
them.
9. Stress- Tulsi leaves are regarded as an "adaptogen" or anti-stress agent. Recent
studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even
healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It
purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.
10. Mouth Infections- The leaves are quite effective for the ulcer and infections in
the mouth. A few leaves daily will help cure these conditions.
11. Insect Bites- The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect
stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated
after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of
fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches.
12. Skin Disorders- Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of
ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some
naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma.
13. Teeth Disorder- The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Powdered [dry the leaves
in sun and grind to powder] leaves can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be
mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good
for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the
gums. It is also useful in pyorrhoea and other teeth disorders.
14. Headaches- Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the
leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste
can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for
providing coolness in general.
15. Eye Disorders- Tulsi juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-
blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black
basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS TO NOTE
[1] TULSI patram should not be offered to all other Gods and Godesses as Tulsi or Vrinda Devi gained her blessings only from Sri Hari Vishnu.
[2] TULSI patram should not be mixed with pancha- mint as it is used for Avishek of all Gods and Godesses'.
[3] TULSI mala or bead should be worn around neck at all times. The beads made out of dry tulsi stem have divine qualities that guarantee moksha or liberation to the wearer of such mala.
[4] TULSI is always pure and unlike other flowers/leaves should not be washed before offering.
All of us know too well that Tulsi or sometimes
referred as Holy Basil is so divine for Sri Hari Vishnu
bhakti (devotion).
The tulsi leaves or its seeds are offered to all Sri
Hari Vishnu avtaars - like Sri Ram, Sri Krishna and Sri
Narsingh. Ardent Sri Ram's bhakt, Sri Hanumanji is
also easily pleased with the offering of Tulsi patram. The Tulsi Leaf is also a herbal
remedy for a lot of common human body ailments.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT TULSI PATRAM
What you should do:
1. Offer the patram to Sri Hari Vishnu and his avtaars daily. If fresh leaves are not available then use leaves picked previous day or those fallen on ground.
2. Be taken in mouth after offering to Gods as prasad. Do not bite on this auspicious leaf, rather swallow if unable to keep in mouth for long.
3. Light a diya (lamp out of ghee) under Tulsi plant daily or 365 diyas on Kartik Purnima to make up for days missed during the year.
What you Should NOT DO:
1. Pick the leaves on:
a. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays
b. On Purnima and Ekadashi days
c. Before sunrise or after sunset
d. During Suutak-ie times of mourning after a family death
e. After birth of a new born
2. Should NOT picked with shoes on or without taking a shower.
MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF USING TULSI LEAF [Holy Basil]
The tulsi or holy basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is
worshipped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. The holy basil is also a
herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. The list below has some of the
important medicinal uses of tulsi.
1. Healing Power- Tulsi plant has multiple medicinal elements. The leaves are a
nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal
matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach
and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.
2. Fever & Common Cold- The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. In parts
of India, during the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely
prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against these diseases.
In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom
in half a litre of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature.
The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extracts of tulsi leaves in
fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips
of cold water. In children, it is very effective in bringing down the temperature.
3. Coughs- Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and
expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi
leaves relieves cold and flu.
4. Sore Throat- Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.
5. 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 litre of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.
6. Kidney Stone- has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the
juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via
the urinary tract.
7. Heart Disorder- Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness
resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.
8. Children's Ailments- Common paediatrics problems like cough cold, fever,
diarrhoea and vomiting respond favourably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules
of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten
them.
9. Stress- Tulsi leaves are regarded as an "adaptogen" or anti-stress agent. Recent
studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even
healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It
purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.
10. Mouth Infections- The leaves are quite effective for the ulcer and infections in
the mouth. A few leaves daily will help cure these conditions.
11. Insect Bites- The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect
stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated
after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of
fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches.
12. Skin Disorders- Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of
ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some
naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma.
13. Teeth Disorder- The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Powdered [dry the leaves
in sun and grind to powder] leaves can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be
mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good
for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the
gums. It is also useful in pyorrhoea and other teeth disorders.
14. Headaches- Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the
leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste
can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for
providing coolness in general.
15. Eye Disorders- Tulsi juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-
blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black
basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS TO NOTE
[1] TULSI patram should not be offered to all other Gods and Godesses as Tulsi or Vrinda Devi gained her blessings only from Sri Hari Vishnu.
[2] TULSI patram should not be mixed with pancha- mint as it is used for Avishek of all Gods and Godesses'.
[3] TULSI mala or bead should be worn around neck at all times. The beads made out of dry tulsi stem have divine qualities that guarantee moksha or liberation to the wearer of such mala.
[4] TULSI is always pure and unlike other flowers/leaves should not be washed before offering.