Tulsi: An Ayurveda Herb

Biological Name: Ocimum sanctum

Family : Labiateae

Common Name: Tulsi (Hindi), Manjari/Krishna tulsi (Sanskrit), Trittavu (Malayalam), Tulshi (Marathi) and Thulsi (Tamil & Telegu). It is called Holy Basil in English

Varities: Ocimum canum (Ram tulsi or Kali tulsi), Ocimum basilicum or bobai tulsi, Ocimum kilmand, O. scharicum or camphor tulsi, etc.

Plant Parts Used: Leaves, Seeds and Root

Introduction
Tulsi is a many branched, erect stout and aromatic herb. It grows up to the height of about 75 cm to 90cm and is hairy all over. The plant has tender leaves, usually smooth, up to 2.5cm in length. The herb is bitter and pungent. Tulsi is native to India and has been known from as early as Vedic period.Commonly used tulsi is one with dark leaves. The inflorescence is a long spike with tiny purple flowers. These are of two varieties: a red - and a green one. Red holy basil has a stronger smell. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum, Holy Basil) is a type of basil that has important medical properties that are useful in ayurvedic therapy.

Characteristics and Constituents:        
The leaves contain an essential oil which has been studied with gas chromatography. The oil contains eugenol, eugenal, carvacrol, methyl-chavicol, limatrol and caryophylline.

A variety of biologically active compounds have been isolated from the leaves including ursolic acid, apigenin and luteolin. The seeds contain oil composed of fatty acids and sitosterol. The mucilage is compared of sugars - xylose and polysaccharides.

Properties
rasa -Katu( sharp) Tikta (bitter) , Virya -Ushna(hot) ,Vipak -Katu (sharp). Ayurvedic practice recommends Tulsi in several formulations to enhance immunity and metabolic functions as well as in the management of respiratory problems (Shwas -Kasa).

Pharmacological Effects         
In traditional Ayurvedic system of medicine, several medicinal properties have been attributed to this plant. Recent pharmacological studies have established the anabolic, hypoglycemic, smooth muscle relaxant, cardiac depressant, antifertility, adaptogenic and immunomodulator properties of this plant.

The leaves of tulsi are a nervine tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. Tulsi leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the tulsi plant are mucilaginous. Below are some of the uses of tulsi.          

1. Anxiety and Stress   
Tulsi leaves are regarded as an adaptogen or anti-stress agent. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of the basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.

2. Common Cold & Fever        
The leaves of tulsi are specific for many fevers. During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender tulsi leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against theses diseases. In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the tulsi leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature.

The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water is given every 2 to 3 hours. Tulsi is also 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.

3. Sore Throat 
Water boiled with tulsi leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.

4. Respiratory disorder
The tulsi herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the tulsi leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the tulsi leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.

5. Kidney Stone           
Tulsi can have a strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone, the juice of tulsi leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months, can expel them via the urinary tract.

4. Heart disorder          
Tulsi has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol. As 'Tulsi' (basil) has a positive effect over blood pressure and also a de-toxicant, its regular use prevents heart attacks. A tonic may be prepared by mixing 1 gm of dry 'Tulsi' leaves with a spoonful of butter and some candy sugar or honey. Take twice a day; first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night. The drinking of Tulsi-leaf tea keeps the blood pressure even.

5. Children?s ailments  
Common pediatric problems like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and vomiting respond favorably to the juice of tulsi basil leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, tulsi leaves taken with saffron will hasten them.

6. Mouth infections     
The tulsi leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.

7. Insect Bites  
The tulsi herb is a prophylactic; a preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the tulsi leaves is taken and a repeated after a few hours. Fresh tulsi 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. The juice of the leaves is used as an antidote for snake and scorpion bites.

8. 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 I, the treatment of leucoderma.

9. Eye disorders          
Tulsi basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A.

10. Teeth disorder       
The tulsi herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, 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, counter acting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

11. Headaches 
Tulsi 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.

12. Antimicrobial effects          
Essential oil of Tulsi have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It inhibits the growth of E coli, B.anthracis, M.tuberculosis etc. Its antitubercular activity is one-tenth the potency of streptomycin and one-fourth that of isoniazid. Preperations containing Tulsi extract significantly shorten the course of illness, clinical symptoms and the biochemical parameters in patients with viral hepatitis and viral encephalitis.

13. Antimalarial effects
Essential oil of Tulsi has been reported to possess 100% larvicidal activity against the Culex mosquitoes. Trials have shown excellent antimalarial activity of Tulsi. Its extracts have marked incecticidal activity against mosquitoes.It's repellant action lasts for about two hours.

14. Antifertility effect   
One of the major constituents of the leaves, ursolic acid has been reported to possess antifertility activity in rats and mice. This effect has been attributed to its antiestrogenic effect which may be responsible for arrest of spermatogenesis in males and inhibitory effecton implantation of ovum in females. This constituent may prove to be a promising antifertility agent devoid of side effects.

15. Anti diabetic effect 
 A randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over single blind trial on 40 human volunteers suffering from Type II diabetes was performed. During the four week trial, subjects alternately received a daily dose of 2.5 g of Tulsi leaves powder or a placebo for two week periods. The results showed 17.6 % reduction in fasting blood glucose and 7.3% decline in postprandial blood glucose on treatment with Tulsi as compared to the blood glucose levels during treatment with placebo.

16. Miscelllaneous       
Anti-spasmodic properties, relieves abdominal pains and helps in lowering the blood sugar level. The plant can play a role in the manangement of immunological disorders such as allergies and asthma.