Tulsi– Secret of healthy life
“We don’t have a magic potion, but there’s a herb that comes pretty close.”
When we are living in very busy and stressful life, someone has to come up with a solution that can de-stress us without engaging so much of time. Being very practical to the life style we are living with we don’t even have a second to waste. The race running in today’s life is very competitive. Though technology has helped in a numerous ways, but this also has come up with endless drawbacks. The life which people were living many years ago without technology was far healthier than what we are living today.
This pandemic has taught us one very basic thing which we usually
tend to ignore in our daily lives and that is to keep ourselves healthier and fitter so as deal with any kind of sudden health challenges. So when it comes to getting healthier,we preferably choose herbs and traditional way to enhance the body defence. In light of the same, our Ayurveda teaches us how to use herbs in our daily routine.
Tulsi (Holy basil) is one of the herb which called “The queen of herbs”.We find that holy basil, better known as tulsi, graces almost every home as an aromatic perennial shrub. In Ayurveda, it has tremendous spiritual as well as medicinal significance. It is one of the oldest herbs known to mankind, tulsi’s healing and healthful properties have been the most treasured knowledge across the world. Holy Basil or Tulsi, is considered sacred in Hinduism and is worshiped as ‘Goddess of Devotion’ in many of the Indian households. Tusi is cultivated for religious and medical purposes and also for its essential oil which is often used in Ayurveda. Tulsi leaves are used in a variety of culinary preparations.
However, despite its common existence and easy availability, most people are not aware of tulsi’s basic uses and health benefits.
To understand its benefits better, let’s get to know a little more about this miracle plant.
Holy Basil now grows in many regions throughout the world, but it is native to India. This herb was also known as “sanjeevani” in ancient time. The reason for calling it “sanjeevani” was that the power of this herb in making people healthier, the belief of people in this herb never died. Tulsi has a strong feminine plant essence and considered as “The queen of the Herbs” for her restorative and spiritual properties. Tulsi has traditionally been used to support a healthy response to stress, natural detoxification, and restore balance and harmony.
Modern research has classified Tulsi as an adapt genic herb. This means Tulsi is literally on a mission to bring the body’s to homeostasis, or balance. Adaptognes have to shown to support the body’s healthy reactions to stress.
Miracles that this Herb can do:-
Tulsi has been found to protect 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 excessive noise. Tulsi has also been shown to counter metabolic stress through normalization of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid levels and psychological stress through positive effects on memory and cognitive function and through its anxiolytic and anti- depressant properties.Tulsi is also a powerful antioxidant, and has been used in Ayurveda for centuries. It is particularly effective with slow or congested digestion as well as emotional digestion. When the body is continually bombarded by high levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, it can lead to increased appetite, weight gain and poor digestion, potentially leading to anxiety, depression or a suppressed immune system.
Tulsi works to lift mood, stamina and endurance with a calming energy. Adapt genic herbs do not alter mood, but rather, they help the body function optimally. Tulsi creates a general sense of well-being, working to boost energy and enhance focus in order to deal with ongoing conflict and stress.
The anti-aging properties of Tulsi have been revered in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Studies have found that Tulsi is protective against oxidative damage and reduces free radicals, while it reduces total cholesterol levels and blood pressure thus helping heart disease patients.
Like many other greens, holy basil is alkaline forming. In fact, so much so that it is a traditional herb used during fasting so that the body doesn’t become too acidic during the temporary cleansing process.
This is how you can use tulsi for better health:-
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 skincare preparations due to its antibacterial properties.
- A decoction of tulsi leaves, honey, and ginger is a beneficial remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough, and cold.
- Water boiled with tulsi leaves can be used in case of a sore throat.
- Tulsi seeds, taken mixed in water or cow’s milk, act as an antioxidant which also proves to be nourishing and soothing for the body.
- Tulsi has a strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stones, the juice of tulsi leaves and honey if taken regularly for six months will expel them via the urinary tract, according to Ayurveda.
- Though you must consult with your doctor first.A decoction of tulsi leaves makes a good medicine for headache. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can be applied on the forehead for relief.
- A functional water developed blending tulasi growing demand.