Tulsi

Tulsi is a common name in most Indian househols. Alternatively known as the “Holy Basil or Ocimum Scantum”. Not only from a religious point of view, but from a medicinal too, tulsi has endless value. In Ayurveda, it is considered as all the doshas. The tulsi benefits are many and people also chew raw leaves regularly to reap these these benefits. Tulsi leaves also re-energize and rejuvenate the body of a person. It keeps one fresh mentally and stimulates the thought process. The holy basil is a homemade remedy for a lot common eliments.

Listed below are some of the uses of plant:

Fever and common cold : The medicinal use of tulsi begins with the ability of the leaves to cure many kinds of fever.

Tender tulsi leaves boiled in water act as a preservative against malaria and dengue fever.

In the case of acute fever, a decoction of the leaves boiled with cardamom powder in half a liter water mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature.

This is also a good germicidal agent and a disinfectant that protects the human body from all types of viral infections.

Treatment of sore throat: A concoction made by boiling basil leaves in water can be taken as a drink or used for gargling to get relief from a sore throat.

Heart disorder: Basil is very beneficial in combating cardiac disease and the : weakness resulting from it. It reduces blood cholesterol levels. Tulsi also contains vitamin c and other anti-oxidants such as Eugenol protects the heart from harmful effects of fre-redicals. Tulsi can also reduces blood pressure and thus is useful for heart patients.

Kidney stones: One of the Tulsi plant uses is that its leaves have a strengthening effect on the kidneys. In case of renal stones, the consumption of juice of basil leaves mixed with honey help to reduce uric acid level which is the main reason  behind kidney stones.

Healing properties: Basil leaves have antiseptic properties and are hence, used in the treatment of ulcers, cuts and wounds. They help in reducing the pain caused by the muscles, chickenpox, and smallpox. A mixture of basil leaves juice and coconut oil can be applied on cuts and wounds to give relief. Chewing a basil leaf or applying the juice of basil leaves on area stung or bitten by an insects also help relieve the pain as well as draw the venom out.            

Apporva Dangi

B.Sc  1^st year