Tulsi – (Ocimum sanctum or Ocimum sanctum Linn): A herb for all reasons

Tulsi is an Herb with many Healing Properties

• It is also taken as the herbal tea.

• Juice of its leaves give relief in cold, fever, bronchitis and cough.

• Tulsi oil is also used as ear drops.

• It helps in curing malaria.

• It is very effective against indigestion, headache, hysteria, insomnia and cholera.

• The queen of herbs has been known for its remarkable healing properties.

• Chewing a few leaves of the plant will purify the blood.

• A decoction of Tulsi and mint is an excellent rejuvenator.

We are in the midst of a global pandemic of obesity, diabetes, cancer, dementia, depression and other chronic diseases caused by modern lifestyles and their associated lack of physical activity, high intake of sugar, fat, salt, alcohol and tobacco and exposure to a toxic cocktail of industrial chemicals. The solutions to this current health crisis are therefore more likely to be found in the homes and behaviours of individuals than in medical clinics, hospital or pharmacies.

Modern research has revealed that tulsi has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal activity that includes activity against many pathogens responsible for human infections. Tulsi has also been shown to boost defences against infective threats by enhancing immune responses in non-stressed and stressed humans.

Tulsi's unique combination of antibacterial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities also make it useful in wound healing.

Healing Power: The Basil or Tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves strengthen the stomach and help in respiratory diseases.

Many studies support the use of the entire plant of holy basil for human use and its therapeutic value. The nutritional value is also high, as it contains:

• vitamin A and C
• calcium
• zinc
• iron
• chlorophyll

'Jungle tulsi' shows anti-cancer properties

A small herb belonging to the castor (Euphorbiaceae) family growing in the waste lands of southern India has shown promise in killing cancer cells without affecting healthy cells under laboratory conditions, according to new research. Cancer has been associated with increased levels of intra-cellular free radicals. Therefore, scavenging these radicals with antioxidant supplement is considered a way to arrest the progression of cancer.

Constituents of Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Active compounds in whole tulsi leaves include:

• Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene) is largely responsible for the therapeutic effects of the herb
• Oleanolic acid
• Ursolic acid
• Rosmarinic acid
• Carvacrol
• β-caryophyllene [R, 2):
• Eugenol (67.4% – 72.8%)
• β-elemene (11.0% – 10.9%)
• β-caryophyllene (7.3% – 8.4%)
• Germacrene D (2.4% – 2.2%)
• Linalool (54.95%)
• Methyl chavicol (methyl carvicol – also called Estragol) (11.98%)
• Methyl cinnamate (7.24%)
• Linolen (0.14%) [R].

Nutrition

• Protein: 30 Kcal, 4.2 g
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrate: 2.3 g
• Vitamins: vitamin C (25 mg vitamin C per 100 g) and vitamin A
• Minerals: Calcium: 25 mg; Phosphorus 287 mg; Iron: 15.1 mg
• Phytonutrients: Chlorophyll and many other phytonutrients

Antiviral Activity

Apigenin, a compound derived from Tulsi, has shown effectiveness against H1N1 and Swine Flu [R].

An alcohol- or solvent-based extract of tulsi inhibited genital herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus type 2) in a cell-based study.

An aqueous extract of tulsi leaves prevented the cell damage and the growth of New Castle Disease (NCD) virus in chickens.