Tulsi, otherwise known as holy basil, is known for its healing power, and it has a rich history dating back to ancient eastern uses 3,000 years ago. Historically used as medicine due to its widespread healing power, tulsi leaves are now regarded by most countries as adaptogens (anti-stress agents) and have been used widely to promote health throughout the entire body.
It’s suspected that tulsi is native to tropical Asia, although it now grows in many tropical climates across the globe. Today, tulsi is commonly consumed in supplement form or as tulsi tea; it’s used as a natural remedy for anxiety, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, unbalanced blood sugar and as a home remedy for acne.
In modern medicine, in last few decades, several Indian scientists and researchers have studied the pharmacological effects of various parts of the tulsi plant on the immune system, reproductive system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastric system, urinary system and blood biochemistry.
Researchers described the therapeutic significance of tulsi in the management and relief of various ailments, and they established a scientific basis for the therapeutic uses of tulsi. It protects organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals, and physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint, and exposure to cold and excessive noise.
Tulsi Nutrition Facts
Tulsi is an aromatic shrub in the basil family Lamiaceae that’s thought to have originated in north central India and now grows native throughout the eastern world tropics. Tulsi is a perennial that has a light lemon scent and purple-pink flowers. Tulsi leaves are oval-shaped with a slightly sharp tip, and the edges are slightly toothed.
There are two common types of tulsi: Rama tulsi has a white stem and green leaves, and Shyam tulsi has a dark pinkish-purple stem and leaves. Both types are similar in smell and benefits.
1/4 cup of fresh tulsi leaves (six grams) includes the following (listed in recommended daily values):
1 calorie
No cholesterol
0.2 grams of sodium
0.2 grams of carbohydrates
31 percent vitamin K
6 percent vitamin A
2 percent vitamin C
3 percent manganese
1 percent folate
1 percent calcium
1 percent potassium
1 percent magnesium
10 Benefits of Tulsi
1. Fights Acne
Tulsi kills bacteria and infections, therefore it’s a great natural home remedy for acne and other skin irritations. Holy basil benefits the skin and heals skin infections both internally and externally — and it’s completely safe!
The primary compound of holy basil oil is eugenol, the active ingredient in the powerful antimicrobial clove oil, which is widely believed to treat many skin disorders. Research shows that tulsi is a natural acne treatment, and when used with coconut oil as a carrier, it’s more viscous and absorbs into the skin even better.
2. Protects Against Diabetes
Tulsi has the ability to control blood glucose levels; several test tube and animal experiments, as well as human clinical trials, show that tulsi has anti-diabetic activity. Studies using diabetic laboratory animals show that tulsi can reduce blood glucose, correct abnormal lipid profiles, and protect the liver and kidneys from the metabolic damage caused by high glucose levels.
3. Fights Cancer
Tulsi not only works as a natural cancer treatment, but it prevents it. Research shows that people who regularly consume tulsi are less likely to be immune-compromised and less susceptible to developing cancer cells. The phytochemicals in tulsi prevent chemical-induced lung, liver, oral and skin cancers because they increase antioxidant activity, alter healthy gene expressions, induce cancer cell death, prevent blood vessel growth contributing to cell growth and stop metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one organ to another.
Tulsi also protects your body from radiation poisoning and heals damage from radiation treatment. It selectively protects the normal tissues against the destructive effects of radiation. Laboratory studies published in Alternative Medicine Review show that tulsi protects against toxic chemical-induced injury by increasing the body’s levels of antioxidant molecules, such as glutathione, and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. These enzymes protect cellular organelles and membranes by fighting free radical damage caused by a lack of oxygen and other toxic agents.
In fact, the journal Nutrition and Cancer published an interesting review outlining the important research involving tulsi’s cancer-killing prowess we’ve seen the past several years. The doctors involved in this research agree that conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments during the past three decades haven’t been able to contain the disease, and they have serious side effects. Many natural agents, especially tulsi leaves and extracts from other plants, prove to be nontoxic, easily available and have proven anticancer properties.
4. Balances Hormones
Elevated cortisol levels can be dangerous; it’s commonly known as the stress hormone, and it can have a major impact on our learning, memory, immune function, bone density, weight gain and heart disease. Luckily, tulsi has the amazing ability to regulate cortisol levels and keep hormone levels balanced naturally. Tulsi has a physical effect on the body and mental benefits as well. By drinking tulsi tea or adding tulsi to your meals, you calm your system and keep your body running smoothly.
5. Relives Fever
Tulsi leaves act as antibiotic, germicidal and disinfectant agents; they protect us from bacteria and viruses. When we have a fever, it’s proof that our bodies are fighting against an infection. Therefore, with its infection-fighting properties, tulsi fights a fever and restores your health quickly.
6. Cures Respiratory Disorders
Tulsi is effective in curing almost all varieties of respiratory disorders, including working as a bronchitis natural remedy, a deep cough that usually comes on with another type of upper respiratory infection, such as the cold or flu. The components of tulsi leaves like camphene, eugenol and cineole provide relief from congestion and other symptoms of respiratory disorders. This means tulsi is an asthma natural remedy, as it relieves congestion and allows for easier breathing.
7. Good Source of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone health and heart health. It’s one of the main vitamins involved in bone mineralization and blood clotting, but also helps maintain brain function, a healthy metabolism and protects against cancer. One cup of tulsi leaves has more than your daily recommended value of vitamin K, making it a perfect source to prevent vitamin K deficiency, and can be beneficial to your bone density, digestive health and brain function.
8. Dental Care
Tulsi has the power to fight bacteria in your mouth that lead to dental issues, such as cavities, plaque, tartar and bad breath. Tulsi leaves serve as a mouth freshener because they kill the bacteria and germs hiding in your mouth.
Tulsi can cure ulcers in the mouth, and it’s known to stop the growth of oral cancer cells caused by chewing tobacco. For this natural dental care, try adding a drop of tulsi essential oil to your toothpaste or drinking one cup of tulsi tea every day.
9. Relieves Headaches
Because tulsi has sedative and disinfectant properties, it’s a natural headache remedy that can relieve migraine pain. This is especially true with headaches due to sinus pressure. Tulsi is anti-congestive and helps reduce the buildup and tension due to sinus issues. An easy way to take advantage of this tulsi benefit is by drinking one cup of tulsi tea every day — or by diffusing tulsi essential oil.
10. Supports Eye Health
Our eyes are susceptible to viral, bacterial and fungal infections that can be very dangerous. Thankfully, holy basil has the power to fight these detrimental infections. Tulsi fights against conjunctivitis (pink eye) and boils; it also has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that protect your eyes from environmental damage and free radicals.
Tulsi leaves prevent a range of eye issues, including cataracts, vision defects and opthalmia. It’s also a glaucoma natural treatment and natural treatment for macular degeneration. Glaucoma, for instance, is caused by a buildup of fluid in the eye that puts pressure on the optic nerve, retina and lens; the pressure can permanently damage the eye if not treated. Macular degeneration, another major vision inhibiter, is age-associated vision loss and blurry vision related to damage to the macula, or center of the eye.
History & Interesting Facts
Holy basil in English, or tulsi in the various Indian languages, is an important medicinal plant in the various traditional and folk systems of medicine in Southeast Asia. Tulsi is a medicinal herb that’s considered a sacred plant by the Hindus in the Indian subcontinent.
‘The Queen of Herbs’
In traditional systems of medicine, different parts of tulsi — the leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant — have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever and insect bites.
In fact, of all the herbs used within Ayurveda, tulsi is preeminent, and scientific research now confirms its beneficial effects. There is mounting evidence that tulsi can address physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions. (6)
Ayurveda is the world’s oldest medical system. It has a holistic approach to health and disease that focuses on preserving and promoting good health and preventing disease through healthy lifestyle practices — including regular consumption of adaptogenic herbs that have the power to enhance the body’s ability to maintain balance in a world with a ton of stressful components. For this reason, Ayurvedic practitioners recommend the regular consumption of tulsi tea as an essential lifestyle practice.
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