Tulsi or Holy Basil is an Auspicious Plant in India for Hindus

holy basil

Tulsi or holy basil also known as Tulasi is the popular name for its scientific name Ocimum tenuiflorum. It is an auspicious plant having a lovely aroma surrounding it. It has its origin in the Indian sub-continent since the ancient times of sages and holy people.

Tulsi has both the properties of being a medicinal as well as a religious plant. It has an aura of sanctity within it. Regarded as Goddess Laxmi’s incarnation, Tulsi is an incomparable and inseparable part of the Indian culture.

The religious significance of tulsi can be seen from the very fact that it is worshiped in many Indian homes. It is the symbol or incarnation of Goddess Laxmi. The daily routine of many Hindu Indian homes consists of the woman of the house getting up early with the rising sun. After taking her bath, she is seen worshiping and watering the tulsi plant. She chants the Vedic hymns and circles around the plant as well.

It is also considered a healthy practice of standing near the tulsi plant because of its emissions of purified air. So, the tulsi plant serves both religious and medical purpose.

The Skanda Puranas also point out that the mere touching of the tulsi plant or Tulsidevi purifies an individual mentally as well as physically. Worshipping the tulsi plant helps in eliminating all ailments and diseases from one’s life and watering the plant diminishes the fear of death.

Christians also give the tulsi plant a prominent place in their religion. They believe it protects against bad influences. Tulsi plant washes away the sins with sprinkling of Holy water. Water which has basil leaves in it.

Tulsi has been known for its medicinal properties since very olden days. It has been widely used in many modern day pain killers. Tulsi helps in the control of diabetes. Also for control of cholesterol levels in a person. Tulsi has anti oxidant properties that are also useful in many skin diseases, coughs and colds.

Could this be you earning part-time income blogging from home? Click image to find out.

Ayurveda Defines the Healing Properties of Tulsi

Ayurveda defines the healing properties of the Tulsi in many books. The Charita Samhita being one of them. In the book it has been regarded as the ‘Elixir of life’ in Ayurveda. It has immense anti-stress properties as well as anti-bacterial properties.

It also helps in stomach disorders, headaches, heart diseases, common colds, inflammations and malaria. A person suffering from renal stones should consume a concoction of honey and tulsi juice to dissolve the stone in a short term. It is also effective in eye disorders and infections.

Tulsi can be consumed in many forms like the herbal tea, leaves or the dried powdered form. Oils extracted from the tulsi plant have various medicinal properties and are used in cosmetics and skin disorders.

Tulsi leaves make a significant place in the Thai cuisines as well as many Indian cuisines. Because of its aromatic flavor and astringent taste, it serves as a delicious herbal tea which has positive effects on the health of an individual.

Thus, we can see the numerous benefits of this medicinal, magical herb tulsi. My personal opinion is that Tulsi can be a very good substitute for tea and coffee. Both have been scientifically proven to be harmful drinks with regard to the health of an individual.

Apart from that, tulsi has proven to be a medicine for the minor ailments. It can be used for the common cold and headaches to major ailments like heart attacks and diabetes.

We are aware of the harmful effects of various conventional or western medicines available in the market. They may have a cure for ailments but also leave many side effects along with their curative properties. This risk can be avoided with the magical plant tulsi which has no side effects at all.

I remember that when I was young, I would go to the garden to play. In between, when I wanted to chew on something, I would tear off two or three tulsi leaves and eat them. In the process, my coughs, my headaches, were taken care of by these leaves.

Moreover, the medicines available in markets are so costly they are not easily affordable by the common person. Tulsi has proven to be a boon from the financial aspect of a poor man. No doubt tulsi is an’ Elixir of life’ as put forth by Ayurveda.