Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is an aromatic shrub in the basil family Lamiaceae that is thought to have or iginated in north-central India. Tulsi is a sacred plant in Ayurveda that is revered as an “elixir of life” and is known as “The Incomparable One,” “Mother Medicine of Nature” and “The Queen of Herbs”.[1] Ayurveda has celebrated the benefits of Tulsi leaves since time immemorial.
Within India, Tulsi has been adopted into spiritual rituals and lifestyle practices that provide a vast array of health benefits that are just beginning to be confirmed by modern science. This emerging science on Tulsi, which reinforces ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, suggests that Tulsi leaves are a tonic for the body, mind, and soul and offer solutions to many modern-day health problems.[1]
Tulsi, as perceived by Ayurveda
Tulsi is perhaps one of the best examples of Ayurveda’s holistic lifestyle approach to health. Tulsi tastes hot and bitter and is said to penetrate the deep tissues, dry tissue secretions, and normalize Kapha and Vata.[1]
The traditional uses of Tulsi leaves in Ayurveda might be due to some intrinsic properties in many varieties of Tulsi such as the essential oils containing an anti-inflammatory compound called eugenol, and various acids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.[2]
Benefits of Tulsi
Considered as a potent adaptogen, Tulsi has a unique combination of pharmacological actions that promote well-being and resilience. In addition to these health-promoting properties, uses of Tulsi leaves include treatment for a range of conditions including anxiety, cough, asthma, diarrhea, fever, dysentery, arthritis, eye diseases, otalgia, indigestion, hiccups, vomiting, gastric, cardiac, and genitourinary disorders, back pain, skin diseases, ringworm, insect, snake and scorpion bites and malaria.
Let’s explore 12 amazing benefits of Tulsi leaves without further ado.
1. Potent Antioxidant
Polyphenol Rosmarinic acid present in Tulsi acts as a powerful antioxidant. It protects the cells in the body from cell damage caused due to excessive oxidation.[2]
2. Antibacterial Benefits
Carvacrol and terpene are the antibacterial agents present in this remarkable plant. It helps keep the body safe from a bacterium that causes illness.[2]
3. Promotes Heart Health
Tulsi leaves have cardioprotective properties that help in reducing the risk of heart disease. It lowers blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, and prevents the formation of blood clots.[2] [3]
4. Regulates Blood Sugar
Tulsi leaves have hypoglycemic properties that help in regulating blood sugar levels.[2] Eugenol is the main ingredient responsible for controlling the blood sugar levels in the body. Studies have shown that Tulsi’s beneficial effect on blood glucose levels is due to its antioxidant properties.[3]
5. Reduces Mental Stress
Eugenol and caryophyllene are the most imperative adaptogen agents present in the chemical formula of Tulsi. These are very effective in lowering the corticosterone levels that are the main cause of stress.[2]
6. Immuno-modulator
It is very vital to have some immuno-modulator in the body that stabilizes, recovers, and maintains the proper balanced functioning of the immune system. Tulsi leaves possess excellent immune-enhancing properties that prepare the body against foreign elements like bacteria, viruses, microbes, allergens, etc. Thus, it maintains the overall balance in the body.[2]
7. Relieves Respiratory Disorders
In the Indian Materia Medica, Tulsi leaves separates are portrayed for the treatment of bronchitis.[2]
A decoction of the Tulsi leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for asthma, influenza, cough, and cold.[3]
8. Improves Digestion
Metabolic stress due to poor diet, low physical activity, and psychological stress is a prominent feature of modern lifestyle.[1] This causes obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and poor glucose regulation and is associated with chronic inflammation that causes diabetes and heart diseases.[1] There is evidence to suggest that Tulsi can assist in dealing with many features of metabolic syndrome and their consequences.[1]
9. Improves Oral Health
The benefits of eating Tulsi leaves include having good oral health. Tulsi leaves when dried in the sun and powdered are used as a toothpaste. This helps in effective dental health, combats bad breath and massages the gum for good health.[2] [3]
One of the other effective benefits of eating Tulsi leaves is that they help in combating ulcers and other mouth infections.[2] [3]
10. Treats Skin Disorders
Applied locally, Tulsi leaves juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. Uses of Tulsi leaves have also proven beneficial in the treatment of leucoderma. [2] [3]
11. Improves Eye Health
The juice of Tulsi leaves is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night blindness, generally caused due to a deficiency of Vitamin A.[2] [3]
12. Cures Insect Bites
One of the other benefits of Tulsi leaves is that the herb is a preventive and curative method for insect stings or bites. Fresh juice applied to the affected area or a paste of fresh roots proves effective against insect bites.[2] [3]
FAQs
1. What are the Ayurvedic benefits of Tulsi leaves?
Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is an aromatic shrub in the basil family Lamiaceae that is thought to have originated in north-central India. Tulsi is a sacred plant in Ayurveda that is revered as an “elixir of life” and is known as “The Incomparable One,” “Mother Medicine of Nature” and “The Queen of Herbs”.[1] Ayurveda has celebrated the benefits of Tulsi leaves since time immemorial.
Tulsi is perhaps one of the best examples of Ayurveda’s holistic lifestyle approach to health. Tulsi tastes hot and bitter and is said to penetrate the deep tissues, and dry tissue secretions, and normalize Kapha and Vata.[1]
2. What are the benefits of eating Tulsi leaves?
The benefits of eating Tulsi leaves include having good oral health. Tulsi leaves when dried in the sun and powdered are used as a toothpaste. This helps in effective dental health, combats bad breath, and massages the gum for good health.[2] [3]
One of the other effective benefits of eating Tulsi leaves is that they help in combating ulcers and other mouth infections.[2] [3]
3. Does Tulsi assist in improving respiratory disorders?
In the Indian Materia Medica, Tulsi leaves separates are portrayed for the treatment of bronchitis.[2]
A decoction of the Tulsi leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for asthma, influenza, cough, and cold.[3]
4. What are the uses of Tulsi leaves in promoting heart health?
Tulsi leaves have cardioprotective properties that help in reducing the risk of heart disease. It lowers blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, and prevents the formation of blood clots.[2] [3]
5. Does Tulsi leaves cure skin disorders?
Applied locally, Tulsi leaves juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. Uses of Tulsi leaves have also proven beneficial in the treatment of leucoderma.[2] [3]
Conclusion
Tulsi leaves have been used for centuries in Ayurveda for their numerous health benefits. It has immune-boosting, respiratory, digestive, stress-relieving, heart-protective, skin, and blood sugar-regulating properties. Tulsi leaves are also considered a rasayana, which helps in promoting longevity. It helps in improving the overall health and well-being of an individual. It can be used to treat various ailments and promote overall health and well-being. Incorporating Tulsi leaves into your daily routine can have a positive impact on your health.
Disclaimer: The information mentioned here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be an alternative to medical treatment by a medical practitioner. Please consult a professional medical practitioner before any dietary modifications.
References:
- Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons
- A Review Paper on Tulsi Plant (Ocimum sanctum L.)
- Review Article Traditional Indian Herbal Plants Tulsi and Its Medicinal Importance
