11 Health Benefits of Tulsi (Basil)

Most of the Indians are well aware of Tulsi or Tulsi plant. Tulsi or Tulsi plant is easily found in the house of most Hindus. It is also known as holy basil. Ocimum Tenuiflorum is the botanical name of basil. Tulsi or Tulsi plant comes from the Lamiaceae family and is a natural aromatic plant. The word Tulsi means "incomparable". Mostly two types of Tulsi or Tulsi plants are cultivated or worshipped in India which are Dark or Shyama Tulsi and light or Rama Tulsi. Both basils offer many health benefits and medicinal value. Tulsi or Tulsi has been known and worshipped by Hindus for centuries and is also used as a major herb in Ayurvedic based medicine and treatment. Tulsi or Tulsi is used in various home remedies to treat common ailments because of its healing properties. In both the Charaka Samhita and the Rigveda, Tulsi is described as a life-saving herb that contains a kind of "nectar of life" and bestows longevity.

Indian science and researchers have studied the medicinal properties of different parts of the Tulsi plant on different parts of the human body.

Here are some health benefits that we can get from Tulsi or Basil: -

1. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Common Fever and Cold:

Tulsi act as antibiotic and disinfectant agents means they have the properties to fight bacteria and viruses. Tulsi can be used to treat common fever and cold.  When someone is having a mild fever then that person is served Tulsi Tea (Tulsi leaves are boiled with Tea). In high fever juice of Tulsi leaves is given to bring down the fever. This should be given in every 2-3 hours gap. This method is so effective in children.

2. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Sore Throat and Cough:

To cure sore throat one should drink water boiled with Tulsi or Basil leaves and gargle with this water. Tulsi or Basil is used as the main ingredient in many Ayurvedic cough syrups because it helps to move mucus in bronchitis and asthma. By chewing Tulsi leaves we can relieve cold and flu.

3. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Kidney Stone:

If someone is having a kidney stone, then they can have Tulsi leaves with some honey for 5-6 months on regular basis then that stone will be eliminated through the urinary tract.

4. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Respiratory Disorder:

Tulsi leaves can be used for the treatment of respiratory-related disorders. For this Tulsi leaves extraction is mixed with honey and ginger, this is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, cough and cold. If Tulsi leaves extraction mixed with cloves and salt it will give relief to influenza affected person. 

5. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Heart-Related Issues:

Consumption of Tulsi can reduce the blood cholesterol level and reduces the heart-related problem and weakness caused by them.

6. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Stress:

Tulsi leaves are also known as an anti-stress agent. If a person chews some leaves of Tulsi on daily basis then it helps to prevent stress and also purifies the blood. Tulsi keeps hormone levels balanced naturally which helps to lower the anxiety symptoms. For this one should take Tulsi leaves extract two times a day after meals.

7. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Ulcers:

If few leaves of Tulsi is chewed then it will help to remove ulcers and infections in the mouth. The compound found in the Tulsi leaves acts as a natural mouth freshener and cleanser so, it helps to care the dental problems.

8. Health Benefits of Tulsi in Skin Related Problems:

Since Tulsi have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that are why Tulsi leaves are very beneficial in skin related problems such as pimple, ringworm, infections, and acne. It treats these problems internally as well as externally. For effective treatment of acne, Tulsi is used with coconut oil.

9. Tulsi -Good for Bones:

Tulsi is a good source of Vitamin-K. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is good for bone and heart health. Vitamin-K is also good for bone density, digestive health and the brain.

10. Tulsi Helps in Headaches:

Tulsi can help to relieve migraine pain. Tulsi works as a natural headache remedy. Tulsi essential oil or Tulsi tea can be helpful in this.

11. Tulsi - Good for Eyes Health:

Tulsi is useful to fight viral, bacterial and fungal infection in the eyes.