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Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also known as tulsi, is a plant in the mint family. It has many health benefits, such as supporting the liver, skin, and kidneys, and containing powerful antioxidants that help maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This makes it beneficial for heart health. Tulsi also supports natural processes for people with diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
Tulsi has therapeutic properties that help maintain balance in the body and combat the effects of stress. It's an "adaptogen," capable of promoting balance throughout the body, including the immune, reproductive, central nervous, and cardiovascular systems.
Today, tulsi is commonly consumed as a supplement or tea. Research suggests that holy basil can naturally help reduce anxiety and adrenal fatigue/dysfunction, as well as possibly alleviate symptoms caused by hypothyroidism, unbalanced blood sugar, acne, and more.
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, is a plant in the basil family that smells like lemon and has pink flowers. It originally came from north central India and now grows in many places in the Eastern world. You can make extracts, oils, and supplements from the plant's seeds, leaves, flowers, and stems. The leaf, which is oval-shaped and has a slightly sharp tip, is used to make tulsi tea and has most of the plant's healing compounds.
There are different types of tulsi, such as Rama tulsi (white and green), Shyam tulsi (dark pinkish-purple), Krishna tulsi and Vana tulsi.
Researchers have found that holy basil can help protect your organs and tissues by defending against chemical stress from things like industrial pollutants, heavy metals, physical stress, overtraining, poor blood circulation, exposure to cold and heat, and loud noise. It has a lot of phytonutrients, such as eugenol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and carvacrol, that help protect you from these things.
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Common Names: Holy Basil, Tulasi or Thulasi, St. Josephwort, Krishna tulsi, Vana tulsi, Rama tulsi, Queen of Herbs
Botany
Holy basil is a plant that grows up to 2 feet tall, with many branches and hairy stems. Its leaves are green or purple, simple, and have a slightly toothed margin. They are also strongly scented. The plant has purplish flowers that are close together on long stems. In India and Nepal, there are three main types of holy basil: Ram tulsi (the most common type, with broad bright green leaves that are slightly sweet), Krishna or Shyam tulsi (a less common purplish green-leaved type), and vana tulsi (a common wild type, e.g., Ocimum gratissimum). 38
Holy basil is a plant that grows up to 2 feet tall, with many branches and hairy stems. Its leaves are green or purple, simple, and have a slightly toothed margin. They are also strongly scented. The plant has purplish flowers that are close together on long stems. In India and Nepal, there are three main types of holy basil: Ram tulsi (the most common type, with broad bright green leaves that are slightly sweet), Krishna or Shyam tulsi (a less common purplish green-leaved type), and vana tulsi (a common wild type, e.g., Ocimum gratissimum). 38
Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a versatile plant that can be found both in cultivation and in the wild. Its genus, Ocimum, is home to more than 150 different species, which makes it one of the largest genera within the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as mints. Interestingly, tulsi is a relative of the herb we use in cooking - basil. Although basil is native to tropical Asia, many of its varieties grow wildly across various regions in Asia and Africa, making it a popular herb in many parts of the world.
Tulsi is a fragrant, bushy perennial shrub that can grow up to 60 cm in height. However, it is not frost-tolerant, so it grows as an annual in more temperate climates. The color of the leaves varies depending on the variety: Vana tulsi has light green leaves, while Krishna tulsi's leaves are dark purple. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs on a slightly hairy stem, and its beautiful blooms are arranged tightly in a long raceme, ranging in color from white to reddish-purple. The flowers bloom in mid-summer and are loved by pollinators, which makes tulsi a fantastic addition to any garden space that aims to attract bees and other pollinators.
Aside from its aesthetic value, tulsi is highly valued for its herbal properties. It has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to support & aid a wide variety of ailments, including respiratory problems, digestive issues, and stress. Tulsi is also known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, which makes it an essential ingredient in many natural herbals.
In conclusion, tulsi is a versatile plant that offers numerous benefits. It is not only visually appealing but also has herbal properties that can help support one's health.