Tulsi Extract | Benefits of Tulsi

Introduction
Benefits
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FAQs

Tulsi is a sacred plant that has both medicinal and spiritual properties. Tulsi is beneficial in relieving cough and cold symptoms due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitussive (cough-relieving) and anti-allergic properties. Tulsi helps reduce stress and improve immune health. According to Ayurveda, Tulsi helps reduce asthmatic symptoms due to its Kapha-balancing property.

What are the synonyms of Tulsi?

Tulsi is also known as Ocimum sanctum, Holy Basil, Devdundubhi, Apetrakshsi, Sulbha, Bahumanjri, Gauri, Bhutghani, Vrinda, Ared Tulsi, Karitulasi, Thai basil, Sacred basil, Dohsh, Tulasi, Kala Tulsi, Krishna Tulsi.

Benefits of Tulsi

1. Manages Common Cold

Tulsi improves the individual’s ability to fight against the common cold. It has antimicrobial, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It also prevents the regular recurrence of the common cold symptoms and gives relief from cough.

According to Ayurveda, The common cold is caused by an aggravation of Kapha and weak digestion. When the food we eat is not fully digested, it changes into Ama (toxins). This Ama reaches the respiratory system in the form of sputum(saliva and mucus) and causes a cold or a cough. Tulsi has Deepan (appetizer), Pachan (digestive), and Kapha balancing properties, which help reduce Ama and expel the body’s excessive cough.

2. Manages Asthma

Tulsi helps prevent the regular recurrence of asthmatic symptoms. It has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the inflammation and also acts as an expectorant that expels excess mucus from the lungs.

According to Ayurveda, Asthma is known as Swas Roga, and the main doshas involved are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with deranged ‘Kapha dosha’ in the lungs, causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in gasping and labored breathing. Tulsi has Kapha and Vata balancing properties, which help remove the block and relieve asthma

3. Reduces Fever

Due to its immunomodulatory and anti-microbial properties, Tulsi enhances the immune system of the body. Tulsi has an antipyretic and diaphoretic (inducing perspiration) activity that helps to induce sweating and normalizes the elevated body temperature during fever.

According to Ayurveda, The leaves of Tulsi can be used to reduce a fever because it helps to improve immunity and fight against infection due to its Rasayana (rejuvenating) property.

4. Reduces Stress

Stress increases cortisol levels (stress hormone) in the body. Tulsi might improve the individual’s ability to deal with stress. Eugenol and Ursolic acid in Tulsi reduces the level of cortisol and helps manage stress and stress-related problems.

According to Ayurveda, Stress can usually be attributed to an imbalance of Vata dosha, and is associated with insomnia, irritation, and fear. Tulsi has the property of balancing Vata, which reduces stress.

5. Manages Heart disease

Tulsi might be useful in preventing stress-related heart diseases. Eugenol and ursolic acid in Tulsi lower cortisol levels and help reduce stress and stress-related problems like heart diseases. Tulsi also has an antioxidant property, which prevents cardiac lipid peroxidation caused by free radicals. This lowers the risk of heart diseases and helps maintain a healthy heart.

According to Ayurveda, An increase in cholesterol and blood pressure levels and a stressful life can increase the risk of heart disease. Tulsi reduces the stress level due to its Vata balancing property and controls high cholesterol due to Ama reducing nature. Together, it helps prevent heart diseases.

6. Manages Liver disease

Tulsi might be useful in managing viral hepatitis. Tulsi has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It protects the liver cells from the damage caused by the virus and free radicals. Therefore, Tulsi not only acts as a hepatoprotective (protection of liver) agent but also helps restore the liver functions.

According to Ayurveda, Liver disorders are due to an aggravation of the Pitta dosha and low Pachak Agni (digestive fire). This affects liver function and later vitiates other doshas as well. Tulsi improves Pachak Agni due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It prevents toxin-induced damage of liver cells due to its Rasayana (rejuvenating) nature.

FAQs

What are the benefits of Tulsi leaves?

Tulsi leaves might help prevent diseases like cough, cold, flu, asthma, infections (bacterial, viral, fungal), stomach and heart problems, lung disorders, and even cancers due to its ability to heal the body and adapt to different stresses. Tulsi being rich in vitamin C, K, A, and other antioxidants promote general health, well-being, and longevity and positively affect memory.

According to Ayurveda, Tulsi might help prevent cold-cough problems by preventing the excessive generation of sputum. It helps manage asthma and bronchitis by improving immunity and avoiding infectious diseases due to their Kapha balancing property. Tulsi also reduces some gastric issues like flatulence or bloating to some extent due to its Vata balancing, Deepan (appetizer), and Pachan (digestion) properties.

How is Tulsi good for digestive health?

Tulsi is rich in fiber; thus, it makes your stomach full and helps curb hunger. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals – including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron along with vitamins A, B-complex, E, and K – all of which are essential for a healthy digestion.

According to Ayurveda, Tulsi has Kapha balancing and Shodhana (detoxifying) properties. It helps to flush out the waste products out of the body, thereby promoting lightness in the body. It is generally advisable to avoid taking Tulsi (seeds) during pregnancy

Can Tulsi help in wound healing?

Tulsi accelerates the wound healing process by increasing wound contraction and promoting the formation of new skin cells.

According to Ayurveda, Tulsi helps wound healing by naturally promoting the repair mechanism due to its Ropan (healing) properties.

Can Tulsi improve memory?

Yes, Tulsi is known to have memory enhancement properties. Tulsi helps manage stress and stress-related problems like poor memory. Tulsi relaxes and calms the mind, and may show positive effects on memory and cognitive function. It also protects against aging-induced memory deficits.

According to Ayurveda, Sleeplessness, stress, and a weak nervous system are the main causes of poor memory or memory disorder. Tulsi helps to improve memory by controlling stress and gives sound sleep by balancing Vata. It also helps improve the nervous system due to its Rasayana property. Therefore, Tulsi might help enhance the memory of a person

Can Tulsi protect from toxic chemical-induced injury?

Tulsi can protect against toxic chemical-induced injury by increasing the body’s antioxidant molecules such as glutathione and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. This helps in cell protection and scavenging free radicals caused by a lack of oxygen and other toxic agents.

Does Tulsi help in fighting depression?

Yes, Vitamin C and other antioxidants present in Tulsi help reduce toxic stress by relaxing and calming the mind. Potassium in Tulsi also reduces blood pressure-related stress by loosening the tensed blood vessels. Tulsi has a calming effect, and it doesn’t cause any side effects like synthetic drugs.

According to Ayurveda, Depression is a state of mind that occurs due to an imbalance of Vata Dosha. Tulsi regularly helps relieve the symptoms of depression like stress to some extent due to its Vata balancing property.

References

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Disclaimer

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on Foresta Organics. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your healthcare plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.