What is Holy Basil ?
Ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as holy basil or tulsi, is an aromatic, medicinal perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. The plant is native to the Indian subcontinent however it is widely seen throughout the Southeast Asia.
Holy Basil is a shrub that grows upto a height of 1 metre (3.3 feet). The stems are hairy and bear simple toothed or entire leaves oppositely along the stem. The colour of the leaves is primarily green, while the colour of the stems is primarily purple. Tulsi seeds are very minute and can grow easily under tropical and subtropical areas.
Active Compounds in it (Tulsi)
The phytochemicals present in tulsi are oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, as well as β-caryophyllene (about 8%).
Tulsi also contains various essential oils, eugenol (70%) β-elemene (11.0%), β-caryophyllene (8%), and germacrene (2%), with the balance being made by some trace compounds, mostly terpenes.
Holy Basil Flower
The inflorescence of holy basil flower is of racemose type which are very small with purple to reddish in colour. They are present in small compact clusters on cylindrical spikes. Tulsi or holy basil blooms and keep blooming, hence providing forage for the bees and a sweet fragrance to your garden.
Tulsi Tea
Holy basil tea or tincture can compose of it’s leaves, stem and seeds. It is a common herb in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, well known for improving skin, digestive, respiratory and joint conditions, however there are few more to count.
Benefits of Holy Basil
Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional ayurvedic medicinal purposes, and also for its essential oil. It can either be eaten raw by chewing 3-4 leaves or by infusing few leaves in a tea works best on a daily basis.
Here are 12 Benefits of Tulsi
- Reduces inflammation
- Anti oxidant
- Stress reliever
- Anti bacterial
- Cancer resistance
- Anti allergic
- Protection from diabetes
- Anti ageing
- Blood purifier
- Skin healer
- Immunity builder
- Seasonal flu fighter
Types of Holy Basil Plants
From Ayurveda to Unani or to Modern medicine, Tulsi alongwith its extracts have been used as an active ingredient in making healing and immunity boosting medicines, but its surprising to know that there are several varieties of Tulsi existing in this world.
Krishna Tulsi
This type has a unique purple colour and the leaves are crisp in texture.
Vana Tulsi
Also known as Wild Tulsi, usually grows around the Himalayas and has a strong aroma.
Rama Tulsi
This type of tulsi is slightly a sweeter one, yet having an aromatic aroma.
Kapoor Tulsi
This one is full with medicinal properties, its sweet fragrance can also keep insects and mosquitoes at bay.
You can easily grow tulsi plants from their tiny seeds in your kitchen garden or at your terrace. You can plant them in the ground, terracotta pots as well as in grow bags.