Tulsi
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Ocimum Species: O. tenuiflorum Botanical name: Ocimum tenuiflorum The Indian herbal plant Tulsi has a lot of significance in the Hindu religion. The term "Tulsi" is used in the context of one who is absolutely incomparable.

Tulsi has a lot of reverence for the Hindus. Infact, people worship Tulsi everyday in the morning as well as evening time. This Indian basil basically grows in the warm and tropical regions. There are two main varieties of this aromatic plant, namely Shyama tulsi and Rama tulsi. Well, out of the two, the former one is of greater medicinal value. Rama Tulsi, on the hand, is primarily used for worship. In this section, we will cover the following aspects related to the holy basil .

Tulsi:Tulsi BenefitsTulsi plant has a lot of significance for mankind, due to the manifold medicinal benefits it provides. Tulsi leaves are widely used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. It is known to promote the longevity of life. The extracts obtained from the plant are extensively brought to use for curing various diseases such as the common cold, inflammation, malaria, heart disease, headaches etc.

Tulsi LegendsTulsi is considered to be highly sacred in the Hindu religion. Most of the Hindus offer daily prayers to Tulsi Devi. But, not many people are aware about the origin of Tulasi plant. Well, there are many interesting legends about Tulsi. There is a famous legend about Krishna Tulsi, which suggests that Tulsi was the incarnation of a gopi, who was deeply in love with Lord Krishna. She was cursed by Radha, the consort of the Lord.

Tulsi VivahTulsi vivah is a grand festivity that has a lot of significance for Hindus. There is an interesting legend behind the celebration of Tulsi vivah festival. Tulsi is considered to be an incarnation of Maha Lakshmi, who was born as Vrinda in her previous birth. Tulsi was married to a demon king Jalandhar. She offered prayers to Lord Vishnu to protect her husband from being harmed by any God.

Tulsi PujaTulsi is a consecrated plant that holds lot of importance for the traditional Hindus. In most of the Hindu homes, people worship Tulsi plant on a daily basis. Many people keep a plant of Tulsi in front of their house, since Tulsi has a lot of reverence for them.

Tulsi as a DeityTulsi is a prominent Indian basil that is considered to be very sacred. In the house of every Hindu family, you'll find a Tulsi planted in the courtyard. In certain homes, Tulsi plant is kept in a specially constructed structure and is surrounded by images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses from all four sides.

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Krishna Tulsi""Krishna Tulsi Plants: This variety is found in almost all regions of India. It is used to treat infection of the throat and the respiratory system, cough, enteric fever, nasal lesions, infected wounds, earache, urinary disorders, skin diseases, etc.

Drudriha Tulsi Plants: This variety is found mainly in Bengal, Nepal, Chatgaon and Maharashtra. Its use purifies the gaseous humour - Apaan Vayu. It relieves dryness of the" throat, lubricates it, and reduces the viscosity of phlegm. It cures inflammation of hands and feet, and rheumatism. Rama Tulsi""

Ram Tulsi Plants: This variety of Tulsi is found in China, Brazil, Eastern Nepal, as well as in Bengal, Bihar, Chatgaon and the southern states of India. All the parts of the plant emit a strong aroma. Ram Tulsi has a characteristic fragrance. Crushing its leaves between the palms releases a stronger fragrance than other varieties of Tulsi. This variety of Tulsi is used to treat diseases like leprosy.

Babi Tulsi Plants : This Tulsi is found in hot and the temperate regions of India, from Punjab to Trivandrum. It is also found in Bengal, Bihar, etc. The plant grows to a height of one to two feet. The stem and the branches are green or light yellow. The leaves are one to two inches long, oval, pointed and sharp. The ends of branches are laden with inflorescences. The ovaries are located in the inflorescences. The seeds are small in size, black in colour, slightly elongated, round at one end and flattened at the other, with thick edges. They possess no fragrance, and have an oily and sharp, tingling taste. They become sticky when soaked in water. The plant exudes a pleasing aroma when dried.It is hot, dry, sharp and bitter. It stimulates nerve-endings causing a tingling sensation. Its leaves taste like cloves, and so are widely used for flavoring vegetables etc.

Tukashmiya Plants: This Tulsi is found in western regions of India and in Persia. It is used in the treatment of throat disorders, acidity and leprosy. It imparts strength to weakened muscles. Krishna Tulsi and AyurvedaProbably a Krishna Tulsi (also Krishna tulasi, Krishna Thulasi) is the most revered and adored plant in Hinduism. Every Hindu family has at least a tulsi plant in their courtyard, usually in a raised platform just before the entrance to the house. It is the favorite plant of Lord Vishnu and is associated with Lord Krishna.

There is a variety of tulsi plants, but only Krishna tulsi (ocimum sanctum) gets a special reverence by Hindu families of India. The same species, Ocimum Sanctum, has two varieties – one with green leaves – Rama Tulsi and one with deep purple leaves – Krishna Tulsi. Though only Krishna Tulsi is held with reverence, both have the same medicinal properties.

Apart from the religious auspiciousness, Krishna Tulsi is connected to Ayurveda because of the different medicinal properties of this herb. It is because of the medicinal benefits that you can find at least a tulsi plant in any courtyard in Kerala.

It is a first aid like tonic for common diseases like coughing. Almost all of Ayurvedic medicines for cough –syrups or capsules – have tulsi as a major component. Freshly plucked leaves are also a medicine for fever, common cold, etc. One can just chew the leaves. It is also the major ingredient of special medicinal coffee (it has no real coffee content). Water boiled with tulsi leaves and cooled is effective to bring down fever of children.

Tulsi is also used in treating respiratory disorders like bronchitis, asthma, influenza, etc. It contains other medicinal herbs and spices like cloves or pepper. Tulsi leaves, when taken with honey can expel kidney stones. It requires a balanced diet also, with a lot of green vegetables for complete effectiveness of the treatment.

A healthy person can chew four to six tulsi leaves a day. It brings several benefits like normal blood sugar levels, healthy heart, prevention of ulcers, higher levels of physical endurance, lowered blood cholesterol level and can even act as a stress buster. Recent scientific studies have brought to light the powers of Tulsi to act as an adaptogen. It lowers instances of production of adrenal hormones commonly associated with stress.

Tulsi leaves have mosquito and head lice repellent properties. They are also used in treatment for insect bites.

Do you still wonder why this biannual herb got so much of a place of reverence from people of India?

Tulsi Medicinal Herbal PlantTulsi has been shabby for thousands of being in Ayurveda for its diverse cathartic properties. It is mentioned by Charaka in the Charaka Samhita, an antique Ayurvedic content. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and dear for adapting to stress. apparent by its deep aroma and astringent style, it is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life" and expected to promote endurance.

Tulsi Ayurvedic Medicinal Plant Tulsi is extracts are shabby in ayurvedic remedies for open colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, medium disease, many forms of poisoning, and malaria. Traditionally, tulsi is full in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, cool part, or pied using ghee. crucial oil extracted from Karpoora Tulsi is generally shabby for curative purposes and in herbal blusher, and is broadly shabby in features preparations due to its anti-bacterial activity. For centuries, the dried grass of Tulsi have been pied using stored grains to disgust insects.

Natural Painkiller – Carvacrol and terpene are the antibacterial agents present in this remarkable plant. Sesquiterpene B-caryophyllene also severs the same purpose. This constituent is FDA approved food additive which is naturally present in Tulsi. It helps keeping the body safe from bacterium that causes illness.