Tulsi: Queen Of Herbs - India's Holy Basil

By Ralph Miller, PhD & Sam Miller

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“When I was first introduced to the sacred Tulsi, my first reaction as a Western scientist was disbelief. There seemed to be far more wide-ranging health benefits attributed to this plant than could be possible for a single agent. Yet, I realized that there must be compelling reasons why Tulsi has, for thousands of years, remained one of the most cherished of India’s sacred healing plants.”

— DR. RALPH D. MILLER, former Director of Research for the Canadian National Department of Health and Welfare.

TULSI’S HEALTH BENEFITS

Tulsi, Queen of Herbs, the legendary “Incomparable One” of India, is one of the holiest and most cherished of the many healing and health-giving herbs of the Orient. The sacred basil Tulsi is renowned for its religious and spiritual sanctity, as well as for its important role in the traditional systems of holistic health and herbal medicine of the east.

An impressive array of health promoting, disease preventing and life prolonging properties of Tulsi have been described and documented over five millennia. In the past few decades, many of these benefits have been investigated and verified by modern scientific research. Current research offers substantial evidence that Tulsi protects against and reduces stress; enhances stamina and endurance; increases the body’s efficient use of oxygen; boosts the immune system; reduces inflammation; protects against radiation damage; lessens aging factors; supports the heart, lungs and liver; has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties; enhances the efficacy of many other therapeutic treatments; and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients.

Overall, Tulsi is a premier adaptogen, helping the body and mind to adapt and cope with a wide range of physical, emotional, chemical and infectious stresses, and restores disturbed physiological and psychological functions to a normal healthy state.

These general vitality enhancing and health promoting properties, in addition to Tulsi’s many more specific therapeutic actions, likely account for much of the exceptionally broad range of Tulsi’s traditional medical uses, as well as contributing to its mythological importance and religious sanctity.

TULSI’S BOTANICAL IDENTITY

Tulsi is identified by botanists primarily as Ocimum sanctum (Rama and Krishna Tulsi varieties) or more recently Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Ocimum gratissimum (Vana Tulsi variety). Belonging to the Lamiaceae/Labiatae mint family, these and other closely related species and varieties (e.g., Ocimum canum) are cousins of the familiar sweet basil cooking herb Ocimum basilicum. Highly aromatic, different varieties of Tulsi may smell and taste of peppermint, cloves, licorice or lemon, as well as having distinct characteristics of their own. The leaves of Tulsi are most commonly used for their health benefits, although all parts of the plant, including the roots, stems, flowers and seeds, have significant and differing medicinal and religious symbolic properties. Tulsi beads, made from the woody stalks, are commonly strung in necklaces, bracelets, and meditation malas or rosaries, which are believed by many to have spiritual as well as physical protection benefits.

TULSI’S CHEMISTRY

The chemical composition of Tulsi is highly complex, containing many nutrients and other biologically active compounds. The nutritional and pharmacological properties of the whole herb in its natural form, result from synergistic interactions of many different active phytochemicals. Although Tulsi is known as a general vitalizer and increases physical endurance, it contains no caffeine or other stimulants. Tulsi is traditionally taken in a variety of forms, including fresh or dried leaf tea infusions (herbal teas), ground or powdered leaf, alcohol tinctures, poultices and oil preparations, as well as seed, root and stem formulations, both internally and topically.

TULSI LEGEND

Hindus revere Tulsi as a goddess in the form of a plant bestowed with great spiritual and healing powers. According to legend, no amount of gold could outweigh Krishna, but a single Tulsi leaf placed on the pan in loving devotion tilted the scale.

In Europe, as it traveled west along the early trade routes from the Orient, Tulsi became known to Christians as sacred or holy basil, and was hailed as “The King of Herbs.” Holy Basil became routinely included in legends, offerings and worship rituals and was looked on by many as a gift of Christ.

TULSI IN MODERN SOCIETY

The mental and biological stressors of the demanding and rapidly changing social and physical environments of modern urban life are leading factors in illness and premature death throughout the industrialized nations, and are emerging as health crises in developing countries worldwide.

Stress-related disorders, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological dementia, arthritis and other autoimmune disorders have almost become synonymous with Western-style material progress. Furthermore, many modern medical treatments entail substantial adverse side effects and compounding secondary health risks.

A significant complementary role is emerging for traditional herbal medicines and holistic approaches to health in the prevention and treatment of the pervasive illnesses of modern civilization. Recognizing the importance of broadening Western medical perspectives, the World Health Organization has recommended that traditional health and folk medicine systems be integrated with modern medical therapies to more effectively address health problems worldwide.

Substantial evidence has accumulated that, in addition to Tulsi’s many specific therapeutic applications, the herb’s powerful general adaptogenic properties offer significant preventative and curative potential with respect to the stress-related degenerative diseases endemic to industrialized societies. Ongoing clinical investigation of Tulsi’s health promoting qualities is sure to bear rich fruit.

Relatively little known in the West, the holy basil Tulsi is certain to emerge in the near future as a major player in the growing field of herbal health supplements and medicines, both in daily self-care and in professionally managed health care systems.

TULSI ACTIONS

• Protects against and reduces stress
• Improves stamina and endurance
• Boosts immunity
• Diminishes symptoms of colds, coughs and flu
• Reduces inflammation
• Lessens aging factors
• Powerful antioxidant

OTHER BENEFITS

• Antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties
• Reduces nausea, vomiting and cramping
• Lowers fevers
• Supports the heart, lungs and liver
• Helps maintain a healthy digestive system
• Useful in blood-glucose management
• Supports oral and periodontal health
• Encourages efficient use of oxygen|
• Protects against radiation damage
• Enhances the efficacy of many other therapeutic treatments

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT

• Vitamins A and C
• Calcium, zinc and iron
• Chlorophyll and many other phytonutrients

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Research indicates that Tulsi has a very high safety margin with exceptionally low toxicity, providing general beneficial effects without adverse reactions or other undesirable side effects.

© 2003 Ralph and Sam Miller / The Green Isle Enterprise

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