Holy basil (tulsi), is regarded as the elixir of life because it is believed to promote longevity. It is an aromatic branched shrub that is native to the Indian subcontinent and cultivated as far as the Southeast Asian tropics.
Tulsi is known for its health-promoting and disease-preventing properties. It contains hundreds of beneficial compounds and possess strong antioxidant, anti-viral, adaptogenic, anti-bacterial, and immune enhancing properties. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogenic, which means it is able to balance various processes in the body by helping it to adapt to stress.
Did you know that 1/4 cup of fresh tulsi leaves contains?
- 1 percent calcium
- 1 percent potassium
- 1 percent magnesium
- 31 percent vitamin K
- 6 percent vitamin A
- 2 percent vitamin C
- 3 percent manganese
- 1 percent folate
Holy basil: Clinically proven to Fight Cancer, Infections & More. Here is how to use it
Insect stings or bites: a paste of ground roots and leaf juice is effective when applied to the location of the bite or sting. Holy basil is a prophylactic and the juice of the leaves should be taken once, and again a few hours later. The leaves make a great nerve tonic.
Dermal conditions: naturopaths have successfully treated leucoderma, ringworm and other skin diseases by topically applying basil juice. A study out of Thailand discovered the antimicrobial properties of holy basil to treat acne. Distilled into a 3.0% solution, the holy basil was able to effectively kill of the bacteria that is the main cause of the acne.
Mouth and teeth: The antibacterial properties of the Holy basil keep your mouth and teeth free from bacteria. Chewing a few leaves is an effective treatment for infections and ulcers in the mouth. A paste of mustered oil and dried leaves can be used as a toothpaste. The toothpaste is great for bad breath and pyorrhea.
Kidney stones: taken regularly for 6 months, honey and basil leave juice will help to expel renal stones.
Smoking: It helps to quit smoking. Tulsi is known to have very strong anti- stress compounds and is great to help one quit smoking.
Stress: basil leaves are shown to protect against stress, chewing 12 leaves of basil, twice a day is a great preventative.
Heart health: basil can help a weakened heart from cardiac disease and it lowers blood cholesterol while purifying the blood.
Headaches: basil leaves mixed with sandalwood paste, pounded together, can be applied to the forehead, providing relief from head pain.
Respiratory health: basil leaf juice, honey and ginger will assist with asthma, bronchitis, common colds, coughs and influenza.
Colds and fevers: basil leaves boiled with tea, is utilized as prevention of malaria and dengue fever during the rainy season. For influenza, basil leaf juice, table salt and cloves will provide immediate relief. Basil leaves boiled with cardamom, water, sugar and milk is said to bring down the body’s temperature during a fever.
Coughs: Ayurvedic cough syrups contain basil because it promotes the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm in bronchitis and even asthma. Basil leaf tea can be drank or gargled to soothe a sore throat.
Stomach ailments: basil leaves strengthen the stomach. The juice of the basil leaves are a great remedy for diarrhea and vomiting.
Anti-cancer properties: the tulsi plant has been researched by the National Centre for Biological Sciences for its metabolite-biosynthesis genes, these metabolites could be utilized as anti-cancer treatments. As reported in Nutrition and Cancer,researchers focused on the chemopreventive and radioprotective properties of Tulsi and noted that preclinical studies “have shown that Tulsi and some of its phytochemicals eugenol, rosmarinic acid, apegenin, myretenal, tuteolin, -sitosterol, and carnosic acid prevented chemical-induced skin, liver, oral, and lung cancers and to mediate these effects by increasing the antioxidant activity, altering the gene expressions, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis.”
Holy basil is marked by its strong aroma and astringent flavor but has been used for thousands of years for its diverse healing properties.
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17887944
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18492147
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23682780
