Holy Basil also famously known as ‘Tulsi’ in India. Tulsi is the queen of herbs whose scientific name is Ocimum tenuiflorum belonging to Plantae kingdom. It is the sacred plant in Hinduism belief. The people of Hinduism belief pray tulsi as godess and grow the plant at their houses. She is regarded as avatar of godess ‘Lakshmi’ and spouse of God Vishnu. ‘Tulsi’ or ‘Basil’ is also known as ‘Vrinda’ in India. Apart from religious believes basil has a lot benefits and uses to know about.
Tulsi has a variety with different leaves and names. According to Hindu Vedas, ‘Tulsi’ or ‘Vrinda’ is also known as ‘Vaishanavi’ which means belonging to god Vishnu. Tulsi is also known as godess of wealth.Basil with green leaves is known ‘Shri Tulsi’ which possess ‘Fortunate’. Basil leaves with dark green or purple leaves are known as ‘Shyama Tulsi’, where Shyama refers to lord ‘Krishana’ as his colour was dark or purple. Another variety is also known as Rama Tulsi after the avtar of lord Vishnu and his wife was Tulsi. In mythology, it is said Tulsi was also known as Lakshmi in another avatar.
Tulsi is considered as the most holiest plant in Hinduism. According to mythology, Brahma the creator resides in its branches, Ganga resides in its roots and deities are in its leaves. It is also referred as the symbol of wife hood and motherhood and religiously people considers it as manifestation of god in plants. Hindus worship the plant with all rituals, growing it own house. Tree or plant worship is common in India. Tulsi Vivah is a wedding of Tulsi and God Vishnu usually performed between Ekadarshi and Poornima basically on eleventh or twelve day of lunar day. The time of monsoon is regarded as the auspicious time for Hindu wedding. It is a common believe that the person who waters and prays to Tulsi gets salvation after the death and blessings of lord Vishnu.
Apart from the religious belief, Tulsi has its own importance for medicinal uses. It is the main source of ingredient for many medicines. Many years ago, the acharyas used it in ayurvedic medicines. Tulsi has a special importance in Ayurvedas also. They are beneficial for body, it could be added to drinks or tea with honey and one could consume it very morning. It helps you stay healthy. Ocimum tenuiflorum has fungicidal, antibacterial and antibiotic properties which helps in resolving fevers, cough and cold. Tulsi leaves does wonderful for diabetic patients as tulsi posses antioxidants and oils which produce eugenol which helps increasing sensitivity of insulin lowering one’s sugar level. It can also help as an anti-depressant by chewing the leaves of Basil. Accordin to reports,chewing the leaves of tulsi empty stomach every morning could prevent you from heart ailments. Tulsi helps in maintaining stress, anxiety and stress hormone.Basil has the detoxifier and diuretic properties which is good for kidneys and helps in reducing uric acid in blood and helps cleaning kidneys.Th acetic acid present in the leaves helps in breakdown of kidney stones. Dried leaves of Tulsi is used in many cooking recipes known as Basil powder.
Therefore, Tulsi posses a lot of properties including vitamins, minerals, energy and fiber.It has a great mythological as well as medical importance in the past.
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