Tulsi – 5 wonderful solutions to your common health problems| Holy Basil
Many Indian households are homes to the very tiny shrub of the Holy Basil, the Tulsi plant. The plant has its origin in the Indian subcontinent & is also a widely cultivated herb in the South-east Asian parts of the world. While Tulsi has had its aesthetic presence rooted in its sacredness, especially among the Hindus, it’s also a powerfully multi-purpose herb in its own might. Surprisingly, many of us let it grow as a customary plant in our courtyard or balconies oft without knowing much about its health benefits.
Here are 5 major health benefits of the Tulsi (Holy Basil) plant that some know & many DO NOT.
1. Tulsi – the #1 Cough & Cold remedy
The leaves of Tulsi (Holy Basil) are a natural expectorant that make the phlegm in the chest to loosen & thus easy to expel. Tulsi leaves contain immunomodulatory compounds which can fight viral or bacterial attacks. All the more, the leaves are a natural decongestant that work wonderfully during cold. So if you’re badly irked with a cold or cough, specially during the hostile monsoon & winters, here’s a cough syrup that you could try at home using Tulsi leaves as the main ingredient for the decoction.
2. Low Immunity
The Holy Basil has naturally rich anti-biotic & anti-fungal properties, which escalates during common infections to the body. In fact, its regular consumption prevents cold, cough & stomach infections when they’re most likely to happen.
3. Skin problems
Very few plants can match up to the richness of the plant in antioxidants, which promote healthy & ageless-looking skin. Drinking Tulsi decoction regularly helps in rejuvenating skin cells, prevents dryness & chapping. The best part is that it can even fight acne owing to its anti-microbial properties. Grinding a few Tulsi leaves to a thick paste & applying over the affected areas really helps diminish the severity of acne.
4. Urinary Infections
When a burning sensation, that looks like a probable urinary infection, bugs you, instead of heading to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or the doctor, first try having a few drops of Tulsi decoction diluted with water twice or thrice a day. This usually helps solve the problem.
5. Weight Loss
These leaves are known to fight cholesterol effectively & are also very low on calories. That makes the Tulsi Tea a perfect drink for those who are trying to lose weight.
How to make Tulsi Tea?
1. Wash 4-5 leaves & crush/grind them coarsely.
2. Crush half an inch of ginger.
3. Boil the leaves & crushed leaves together in water.
4. Strain & drink.
You don’t have to add milk to this tea. At the same time, it keeps your craving for tea or coffee away with its satiating & aroma. And the taste is equally refreshing!
Do you know any other benefits of the Tulsi plant, or do you have other amazing ways of using it? Do let me know in the comments.
Oh I love Tulsi! Every house in Kerala used to have this plant in the courtyard. As kids we used to chew Tulsi leaves. ? Tulsi With black pepper is a commonly used recipe to treat coughs and sore throats in our house. I haven’t known Tulsi’s part in reducing weight or glowing skin. Thanks for sharing this informative post, Ashvini!
I remember mom used to give us tulsi mixed with honey and ginger for cough and cold. It used taste so good too.
Tulsi is indeed beneficial in many ways ?
My mother and my aunt have always stressed on the importance of chewing tulsi leaves everyday; about how beneficial the leaves are and much better than the OTC drugs we rush to buy when down with minor ailments.
Thanks for this detailed post, Ashvini!
I’ve heard of these leaves before but i never really tried and didn’t know how to use it. Now that I know its full benefits, I would love to try this one. Thanks!
Tulsi is a dream remedy for cold and cough when consumed with a little honey! Although I haven’t made a Tulsi tea as yet, I soon will.