Tulasi
Common Name:
Holy Basil (Eng.)
Sanskrit Name:
Tulasi- Means this plant is with out any comparison i.e. no plant stand besides it in usefullness
Surasa- Means it is having a nourishing sap with in itself or
It is used as devotional offering to dieties
Apetarakshasi
Bhootaghni- Means it kills all the small infectious agents
Bahumanjari
Devdundubhi
Sulabha- Means it is very easily available in India
Gramya- Means it is grown in each and every home in India
Lt. Name:
Ocimum sanctum- Labiatae
Bio energetics:
Rasa (Taste)-Tikta (Bitter); Katu (Pungent)
Guna (Characteristics)- Laghu (Light); Ruksha (Rough)
Veerya (Potency)- Ushna (Warm)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect)- Katu (Pungent)
Prabhava (Specific which can not be explained in the light of any logic) -Krimighna (Kills in fectious agents)
Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):
Pacifies Kapha and Vata i.e. it is useful in the management of all diseases resulting from aggravation of Vata/ Kapha or both.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Vahnideepani- Ignites the digestive fire
Hrudya- Cardiac tonic
Kushthajit- Useful in management of all skin diseases
Shwas- kasahara- Useful in respiratory discomfort and cough
Visha- vinashana- Useful in management of all the conditions where some toxins (Both endo and exo) are the etiologic factors
Medicinal value:
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Preliminary research suggests that Holy basil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and in the case of Holy basil oil, antibacterial capabilities. In Indian studies mostly done on animals, this Ayurvedic botanical was shown to help reduce the effects of chronic stress, promote wound healing, lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes, slow age-related memory impairment and lower cholesterol.
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Current research, both in animals and humans, supports the use of this herb in treating inflammation, digestive disorders, diabetes, headaches, heart diseases and infection. It also protected against mercury toxicity in mice and offered chemoprotection against chemically induced fibrosarcoma in an animal model.
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Daily usage may help lower cortisol levels which helps lower blood sugar levels and protects the system from stress.
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It may also benefit the immune system by increasing the number and activity of neutrophil cells, which are normally decreased by stress.
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This herb also has antimicrobial properties useful in the topical treatment of ringworm.
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Holy basil contains polyphenols (antioxidants also found in green tea and other herbs) that theoretically could help reduce cardiovascular disease risk: Some test tube studies suggest that polyphenols from Holy basil inhibit the function of genes involved in fatty plaque formation. Eugenol, ursolic acid and rosmarinic acid are the three active compounds that have been identified thus far in Holy basil.
Useful part:
Leaves; Flowers; Seeds; Roots
Doses:
Powder- 3-6gm; Decoction
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