Tulasi

Tulasi: 

The name "Tulasi" in Sanskrit literally means "Unmatched or Supreme one". The Tulasi plant is known as scared plant in India and grown in two varieties 1)Krishna Tulasi or Shyama Tulasi(Purple or Blue in color) 2) Rama Tulasi or Lakshmi Tulasi(White or light green in color) and it is called as Holy Basil in English

Tulasi is the most sacred plant in India. Its quality is pure in nature. Holy Tulasi opens the mind and heart and honors with energy of love and devotion. Tulasi is holy plant to Vishnu and Krishna, it bestow faith, clarity and compassion. Tulasi Beads are worn by Indian Holy men to promote attachment to God and used for chanting on to increase divine Love for the Supreme.

Cultural Beliefs:
The ancient Indians used to worship tulasi as it has many medicinal properties and is utilized effectively. Tulasi is believed to be Lord Vishnu’s Wife. Tulasi is a medicinal herb as per Ayurveda and Rig Veda.

In Skanda Purana there is a sentence about tulasi tree "My sincere prayer to tulasi tree, which can instantly suppress volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree one can become relieved from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisance’s and pouring water on the tulasi tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yama raja [the King of death, who punishes the sinful].

Types of Tulasi:

The variations of soil type and rainfall will lead to difference in the plant size, medicinal values, strength and efficiency.

• Krishna Tulasi: Krishna Tulasi leaves are of purple in color. It is used for the treatment of throat, respiratory system, cough, fever, infected wounds, ear ache, urinary disorders and skin diseases
•  Drudriha Tulasi: IT is used to cure the injuries on hands and feet. The dryness of throat can be relived, makes it slippery and reduces stickiness.
• Rama Tulasi: Ram Tulasi stems are of purple in color and have a strong fragrance. This is used to cure leprosy disease.
• Babi Tulasi: Babi Tulasi is of yellow in color (stem, branches) and grows up to one or two feet long. Seeds are very small and black in color and have thick edges. The leaves has no fragrance but a tingling taste like cloves, becomes sticky when soaked in water. The aroma comes when it is dried.
• Tukashmiya Tulasi: This is used in the treatment for disorders in throat, leprosy and acidity problems. This gives strength to weak muscles.

Scientific Reasons: 

• Tulasi gives protection and strengthens the immune system.
• Tulasi plant has to be in every one’s house as it purifies and absorbs negative energies, liberates zone from the sun rays.
• Tulasi leaves cannot be chewed as it contains mercury (nontoxic), and this may damage the teeth.
• Tulasi if taken as a whole, the mercury is very beneficial for the digestive system.
• Tulasi plant emits ozone and oxygen and reduces the air pollution.
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• Tulasi is useful for curing cardiac disorders, controls cholesterol, diabetes and stress, relaxes muscle, Anti-microbial agent and reduces urinary infections.
• Tulasi if taken regularly sharpens the memory.
• Tulasi leaves are used in Ayurveda medicines.
• Tulasi is used as dried powder, herbal tea and fresh leaves with honey.
• Tulasi improves the resistance to fight against illness and viral diseases and help the patient to recover fast.

Medicinal uses:

• Healing power: The leaves strengthen the stomach and sharpen memory as it contains a nervine tonic.
• Fever: Tulasi leaves is used in mosquito repellant as this acts as an anti-stress agent
• Malaria and dengue fever can be prevented if the tender tulasi leaves are boiled in tea (sugar and milk) or half liter of water has to be given for every 3 hrs. to reduce the temperature.
• Common Cold: Tulasi is mostly used in many cough syrups.it helps in curing asthma.
• Sore Throat: Water mixed with tulasi leaves has to boiled and taken as drink or the water can be used to gargle.
• Respiratory disorder: Tulasi leaves decoction with honey and ginger is the best medicine for asthma, cough and cold. Tulasi leaves decoction along with cloves and rock salt has to be used for influenza.
• Kidney Stone: Tulasi leaves juice with honey if taken for 6months regularly, cures the urinary tract problem
• Children’s ailments: problems like cough cold, fever, vomiting and diarrhea can be cured by taking Tulasi leaves juice. chicken pox pustules can be cured if tulasi leaves mixed with saffron and apply.
• Stress: Tulasi Leaves purifies blood and helps in preventing common elements.
• Mouth infections: ulcer and infections can be cured by chewing tulasi leaves.
• Insect Bites: Tulasi Leaves juice can be applied to the insect bites. Dried Tulasi leaves mixed with grains can repel insets.
• Skin disorders: Tulasi Leave juice is used in the ringworm treatment and skin diseases. Also leucoderma can be cured.
• Eye disorders: Black Tulasi Leaves can cure sore eyes, night-blindness.
• Teeth disorder: Tulasi Leaves dried mixed with mustard oil can be used for brushing teeth and is good for acting against bad breath.
• Headaches: Tulasi leaves mixed with sandalwood paste has to apply for forehead to cure head ache and provide cooling effect.