For centuries, the little Tulsi has been working its magic both as a wonder drug and a cooking aid
Commonly known as Holy Basil, Tulsi is an aromatic and potent herb that has been used in India for thousands of years to treat colds, coughs, and the flu. Although basil is found on every continent, Holy Basil is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Its leaves are oval and serrated, with colours ranging from light green to dark purple, depending on the variety. The plant has delicate lavender-coloured flowers, and its fruit consists of tiny rust-coloured nuts.
Tulsi leaves offer a rich source of essential oil that works as a strong antiseptic against many kinds of disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Traditionally, Tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf or mixed with ghee. Widely used in cooking, it is often added to stir-fry dishes and spicy soups because of its peppery taste. Cookbooks sometimes call it “hot basil”. Its essential oil extracted is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics.
Chemicals in Tulsi have powerful effects relieving pain and inflammation. Ayurveda recommends it to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes as well.
There is interest in using Tulsi seed oil for cancer. Beginning research suggests that the oil can slow progression and improve survival rate in animals with certain types of cancer. Researchers think this benefit may be explained by the oil’s ability to act as an antioxidant.
BENEFITS OF TULSI
Tulsi’s oil has antioxidant properties that help reduce the damaging effects of stress and aging on the body. Studies have shown that it protects healthy cells from the toxicity of radiation and chemotherapy. Additionally, it has been shown to help people with many other conditions
• Early research found that taking 500 mg of Tulsi leaf extract twice daily after meals for 60 days reduced anxiety and associated depression in people with anxiety.
• Some early research suggests that Tulsi leaf extract might decrease blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
• In early research, taking 400 mg of a holy basil extract by mouth in the morning and 800 mg at night for 6 weeks decreased symptoms of stress, including forgetfulness, sexual problems, exhaustion, and sleep problems.
• Also known for its benefits when is used to treat common cold, the flu, asthma, bronchitis, ear and headache, stomach upset, heart disease, fever, insomnia, acne, kidney stones, lung disorders and respiratory disorders among many other conditions.
AYURVEDA AND TULSI
Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. It is mentioned in different ancient texts. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it is regarded in as a kind of “elixir of life” and believed to promote longevity.
Tulsi is used as an “adaptogen” to counter life’s stresses. It is considered a sacred plant which name means “the incomparable one”. Medicine is made from it using the leaves, stems, and seeds. It is cultivated for both religious and medicinal purposes. As the name would imply, Holy Basil has spiritual as well as medicinal significance in Ayurveda. In Hindu mythology, the plant is an incarnation of the goddess Tulsi, offering divine protection. Many Indian families keep a living holy basil plant in their homes, and tend to it with great care and reverence.
According to Ayurveda, Tulsi promotes purity and lightness in the body, cleansing the respiratory tract of toxins, and relieving digestive gas and bloating.
Tulsi is one of the seven botanicals contained in the Amalaki, one of Zapata’s flagship products. It is an Ayurvedic liquid nutritional supplement made with a blend of ancient nutrients and botanicals as amla, tulsi, ginger, turmeric, haritaki, jujube and schizandra. People that use it on a daily basis have had remarkable changes and affirm they are feeling improvement with their pain and inflammation conditions.
I’ve had a mature client who used to claim that she’d felt pain in the hands, mostly in her fingers joints when she needed to apply some strength over things. After a few weeks of the recommended dose of Amalaki she experienced relief in the pain and now she can open bottles and do this kind of things without feeling pain. What’s more, the usual swallowing on her hands is not happening anymore.
After explaining Amalaki´s benefits to a girl whose mother was recovering from a Cancer surgery, she decided to buy the product to complement her mother´s recovery process. A few weeks later, she sent to me a message expressing her happiness because, after a few days of using Amalaki, her grandmother, who used to suffer from cramps and pains that troubled her in the nights keeping her from sleeping, now is having pleasant dreams and feeling a positive impact in her quality of life which is something very important for people at that stage of their lives.
As I have expressed in my previous article about Amla, being a regular user of Amalaki myself, I would recommend you to give it a try and allow yourself to experience the difference of being healthier and feel more radiant.
The author is the founder of Zapata Org and can be reached on 0451 300 539 or daniel@zapata.org.au. Zapata is not just another organisation; it supports wellbeing and rehabilitation of many underprivileged youth in many parts of the world in association with the Helping Hands Foundation. You can also follow them on Instagram Zapata.org.au.
Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
