“Tulsi” is known as the “Mother of All Herbs” for Weight Loss, Stress Management, and much more.
Holy Basil or Tulsi is known as the most sacred plant on earth, and is worshipped by Hindu people.
It is also considered as the “Mother Medicine of Nature.”
Holy Tulsi is frequently used in daily puja (worship), and is often found in home courtyards to support a positive, energetic, and uplifting environment.
Tulsi in itself as a word also means “the incomparable one”.
Why do we keep tulsi in our courtyard?
- It helps in reducing the chemical stress caused by factors like industrial pollutants & heavy metals.
- It helps in reduction of physical stress and overtraining symptoms from prolonged physical exertion.
- Helps reduce exposure to cold and heat.
- It helps in preventing excessive noise.
- It is the herb that can promote a healthy body, mind, and spirit altogether.
Holy basil leaf contains a variety of beneficial constituents, including:
- Eugenol (a volatile oil).
- Ursolic acid (a triterpenoid).
- Rosmarinic acid (a phenylpropanoid).
Other active compounds include caryophyllene and oleanolic acid, carotenoids, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, and chlorophyll.
Types of Tulsi
According to Ayurvedic texts, the three different types of tulsi are:
- Rama (green leaf) tulsi.
- Shyama (purple leaf) tulsi.
- Vana (wild leaf) tulsi.
Although all three types of tulsi have their uses in Ayurveda, green leaved rama-tulsi is the most widely used.
The fragrance of the leaves is quite attractive and the taste is excellent, especially when the dried leaves are brewed in tea.
Health Benefits of Tulsi
Tulsi has many benefits for the body, mind, and spirit, offering support on both physical and subtle levels.
- Offering Adaptogenic Support. Tulsi helps the body cope with stress, promotes mental clarity, and supports rejuvenation.
- Support Lung Health. Removing kapha build-up, and promoting healthy, uncongested breathing.
- Promote Healthy Circulation.
- Maintaining a Normal Body Temperature.
- Promotes Healthy Heart.
- Holy basil contains vitamin C and antioxidants such as eugenol, which protects the heart from the harmful effects of free radicals.
- Anti-aging. Vitamin C and A, phytonutrients, in Holy Basil are great antioxidants and protect the skin from almost all the damages caused by free radicals.
- Treats Kidney Stones.
- Acetic acid present in holy basil helps in the breakdown of the stones.
- Relieves Headaches. Tulsi is a natural headache reliever which can also relieve migraine pain.
- Fighting Acne.
- Holy basil helps kill bacteria and infections, and thus helps in fighting acne.
- Relieves Fever.
- Tulsi is an age-old ingredient for treating fever.
- Tulsi has anti-inflammatory properties that help promote eye health by preventing viral, bacterial and fungal infections.
- Tulsi is a natural mouth freshener and an oral disinfectant.
- Rich Source of Vitamin K.
- Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone health and heart health, which is found abundantly in Tulsi.
Tulsi & Weight Loss
- Tulsi helps in Weight Management. Tulsi aids in weight loss and management due to its effect in the adipose tissue layer.
- Tulsi is very low in calories and high in essential nutrients. It is a good source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin C.
- Consumption of Holy Basil or Tulsi will help reverse up your metabolism. Thus, it also helps to burn a lot of calories at a faster pace. It converts the food into energy and enhances the nutrient absorption from food in the body.
- Tulsi tea is known to increase strength and endurance. Drinking a cup of Tulsi tea before your workout will help in burning more calories and lose belly fat.
- Tulsi is known to have both antioxidant and adaptogen properties, which help in treating a variety of health conditions including the imbalance of hormones which is a major cause of weight gain.
Tulsi and Ayurveda
- Taste: Pungent
- Quality: Warm
- Balancing for vata and kapha doshas, it may increase pitta in excess.
- Avoid chewing tulsi leaves, Tulsi has mercury which can cause tooth decay. Instead, you can cut it into pieces and swallow with water.
- Make sure you don’t it drink with milk.
- Best time to consume is in the morning, from sunrise to sunset.
- Avoid consumption of tulsi during summer season.
How to consume Tulsi?
Traditionally, it is taken as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. The essential oil extracted from certain forms of tulsi is used for medicinal purposes as well as in skin care preparations due to its antibacterial properties.
Who should avoid or take precautions while consuming Tulsi?
- Generally safe but not recommended when there is a health situation involving high pitta.
- Tulsi is warm in nature, so if pitta is a factor, it is best to combine it with cooling herbs.
- Tulsi is not recommended for those who are pregnant or nursing, or those who are trying to become pregnant.
- It is also best avoided if you have low blood sugar.
- If you are taking medications, we recommend speaking with your medical practitioner or healthcare provider before trying tulsi.
- Blood clotting: Holy basil may slow blood clotting. Don’t take it for two weeks before or after surgery.