Tulsi plant is an annual herb. It grows to a short height and lives for a span of one year.

Tulasi is worshiped in India as a holy plant. It is kept in many households and gardens. Besides, it is also a part of alternative medicine. This tulsi is also called as holy basil.

The health benefits of the tulsi herb are many. Some people consume its leaves on a regular basis to gain therapeutic benefits.

Scientifically it is called as Ocimum sanctum and is an important medicinal plant.

The parts of tulsi generally used are leaves, flowers, seeds, stems and dried roots.

Below is the list of uses of tulsi plant based on different parts of the plant.  Still, the list is not exhaustive.

Medicinal uses of Tulsi leaves

♣ Decongestant action to relieve nasal stuffiness,

♣ As nerve tonic to sooth nerves and tension.

♣ Tulsi is an adaptogen i.e. consumption of tulsi is known to boost immunity and helps tolerate stress.

♣ Even as a memory sharpener,

Tulsi tea or decoction is used to prevent malaria, dengue fever. Also used for common cold.

♣ In acute fevers, the temperature is lowered by administration of decoction of leaves.

♣ Aqueous extract i.e tulsi juice is used as a gargle to treat a sore throat.

♣ It is also believed that the aqueous extract of leaves taken with honey for 6 months expels kidney stones.

♣ It lowers cholesterol and hence it is cardioprotective.

♣ In respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, cold, influenza are treated with leaf extract.

♣ Leaves, when chewed, relieve mouth ulcers and infections.

♣ Leaf extract is effective to treat skin disorders like ringworm etc.

♣ Dried leaf powder is used for brushing the teeth. In the preparation of toothpaste for dental health.

♣ Extract of black tulsi leaves is used to treat sore eyes and night-blindness.

♣ Stomachic to promote hunger or appetite.

♣ As an expectorant to help remove phlegm from bronchi and also to treat bronchitis

♣ In relieving coughs due to any irritants.

♣ For relief from diarrhea

♣ In case of epidemic, as prophylaxis (to prevent) against influenza, cholera, and malaria

 USES OF TULSI SEEDS:

 The solution of Tulsi plant seeds with milk or water is a

♠ Good anti-oxidant,

♠ Mucilaginous,

♠ Demulcent

♣ It also possesses anti-ulcer, antiemetic, anti-diarrheal properties.

USES OF TULSI ROOT:

Dried Tulsi root powder mixed with milk or ghee etc is good

a)  For malaria fever

b) To relieve insect pain and sting bites.

c) Fresh roots are made into a paste and applied to areas where leeches or insects bite.

USES OF TULSI STEM:

This is a bit funny application but widely believed among some parts of India.

When one applies the powder of dried tulsi stem on the forehead as a tilak. It helps to gain the attention of listeners to you during a speech.

In general, Tulasi is consumed in daily life as tulsi tea, tulsi seeds as a condiment in foods, tulsi leaves after prayer as holiness.