Benefits of Tulsi/Basil Leaves for Health, Skin and Hair
Basil has been known for its medicinal properties all over the world but for Indians, it is more than a plant or herb. Basil is simply known as Tulsi in India and it has further subtypes too. Based on the texture of the leaves it can be named as Rama Tulsi or Shyama Tulsi. Ayurveda and other Indian sacred books mention its importance in the human civilization. We can spot it easily in any Hindu temple and it is the most common plant in Indian homes. Known as Tulsi or Tulsee the scientific name of Basil is Ocimum Tenuiflorum. It is commonly known as tulsi in Gujrati and Marathi as well, It is called Thulasi in Tamil, Thulasi Aakulu in Telugu and Sivatulasi in Malayalam. Its leaves, seeds and dried roots all are highly beneficial for human consumption hence it is also known as “Queen of Herbs”. It has strong antioxidant, adaptogenic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties which make it the best medicinal plant. The Tulsi plants extract is used for treating various diseases like common cold, inflammation, malaria, heart diseases, etc. The strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, adaptogenic, and immune enhancing properties of tulsi work to treat many diseases.
Health Benefits of Basil Leaves/Tulsi
1. Cure for Fever and Common Cold
Tulsi or Basil is best suggested for the treatment of Fever and the common cold. Making a decoction by boiling a few leaves of basil with cardamom powder in half a litre of water mixed with sugar and milk helps to bring down the body temperature of the patient having a fever. Its consumption in any form is also considered as the best method to prevent serious fever like malaria and dengue. Having a solution made by boiling tender tulsi leaves in water helps to prevent the onset of malaria and dengue fever. It acts as a disinfectant and a good germicidal agent which further helps the human body as a good protection from all types of viral infections.
2. Relief from Headache
You can try a hot cup of tea prepared by boiling Basil leaves to get instant relief from Headache or try facial steam of dried basil leaf. For this just take a large pot and add a tablespoon of dried basil leaves to 2 cups of water. Now using a towel cover your head and carefully lean over the pot and take the steam for 5 to 10 minutes. Basil leaves are the perfect cure of a headache and work like a wonder. It has a cooling effect on the mind and helps a lot after a long working day.
3. Heart Disorder
Basil leaves are an important source of Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants such as Eugenol which protects the human heart from free radicals. Its consumption is healthy for heart patients as helps to reduce the blood pressure and also maintains good cholesterol levels in the human body.
4. Cure for Children’s Ailments
Basil Juice is recommended for various pediatric problems like vomiting, cough, cold and diarrhea. If your child is having usual teething troubles then massaging the gums with honey and Basil leaves will help you. The Juice extracted from fresh Basil leaves is highly effective for the removal of worms which usually occurs in the stomach. Basil leaves when taken with honey helps to prevent chicken pox. If your little one is having a sore throat give him/her a mixture of Tulsi juice and honey to get relief from the irritation.
5. Effective against Diabetes
Consumption of Basil is highly recommended for the control of blood sugar level in a person. This property helps to maintain the balanced level of glucose in the human body and prevents serious diabetic problems.
6. Stomach Problems
Acidity, constipation, and flatulence are very common among humans due to wrong food habits. Basil supports the digestive system and prevents these stomach problems. It also cures the lack of appetite and helpful with vomiting.
7. Gum Disorder
If you want healthy teeth and healthy gums then you should try using toothpaste or powder which has tulsi as an important ingredient. Application of such toothpaste helps you to prevent pyorrhea and other gum disorders. It also provides relief from bad breath as it acts as a disinfectant and kills the bad bacteria. You can use it as mouth freshener too.
8. Have Healing Properties
As mentioned above Basil leaves have antiseptic properties and hence they are preferred as best natural medicine for the treatment of wounds, cuts, and ulcers. If someone is suffering from measles, chicken pox or small pox then its consumption helps him/her to get relief from the pain. If you are stung or bitten by an insect then you must apply it on your wound as it will help to get relieve the pain as well as draw the venom out.
9. Pain Relief
Consuming Basil benefits people with painful medical conditions as it acts like a COX-2 inhibitor. Inflammatory and neurological pain can be easily cured without facing any side effects on the body. The chemical compound present in basil helps to cure the damage and also helps as an effective pain removal medicine.
10. Stress Reliever
Basil/Tulsi has several anti-oxidants which help in balancing different processes of the body. Ayurvedic doctors recommend daily consumption of Tulsi extract daily. It makes your nervous system healthy and helps to relieve stress.
11. Eye Disorder
Basil/tulsi juice is used as an important ingredient in Herbal eye drops as it is an effective remedy for several Eye related problems. Application of such eye drops reduces the stress and soothes eyes. Several eye problems like night blindness, vision degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma can be cured by the usage of such eye drops. If you want sharp and healthy vision then you must try Basil. Also chewing a few basil leaves works to keep eye problems caused by free radicals at bay.
12. Anti-Cancer
Basil/tulsi has anti-carcinogenic properties and works incredibly in the treatment of some forms of cancer like breast cancer. It is known to stop the blood vessels that feed tumors. Its usage is helpful to cure tumors and also controls oral cancer caused by tobacco.
13. Cure for Cough and Respiratory Problems
Chewing Basil /tulsi leaves helps with cough and flu. It consumption with ginger and honey is highly recommended as an effective cure for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, and cold. It is also helpful to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma attacks. Consuming fresh basil leaves with cloves and common salt also relieves influenza. Drinking boiled water having Basil Leaves is also helpful to get relief from a sore throat. These medicinal benefits of Basil make it an important ingredient in the preparation of cough syrups and expectorant.
14. Kidney Stones
Consumption of Tulsi leaves mixed with honey is beneficial in the cure of kidney problems and it helps to remove the kidney stones via the urinary tract. It acts as a detoxifying agent and helps to reduce uric acid which causes several kidney problems.
15. Helpful In Quitting Smoking
Chewing basil leaves helps a lot to get rid of the smoking addiction. It is hundred percent healthy and a better option than nicotine patches, you can have it as flavored gum or candy to curb the urge of smoking. Basil juice has a cooling effect on your throat and the antioxidants help to cure the damage caused due to smoking.
16. Aids In Weight Loss
A mixture of Basil leaves and fresh curd when taken helps in reducing excess weight and also reduces fatigue by enhancing your energy levels.
17. Cures Bad Breath
Basil is known to acts as a disinfectant and kills the bad breath causing bacteria in the mouth. To get rid of bad breath you just need to chew on few basil leaves.
18. Insect Bite
Tulsi helps in curing insect stings and bites. Just take a teaspoon of fresh basil juice and apply it on the stung areas few times a day. You can also apply a paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches. Tulsi is also known to treat the sting of the scorpion. Applying basil leaves paste works to completely remove the effects of poison from the sting. To reduce the pain caused by the sting you can drink Tulsi juice.