Tulsi or Holy Basil - India’s Sacred Medicinal Herb
Tulsi or Holy Basil, India’s Sacred Medicinal Herb
Sacred to the Hindus, people often ask me the reason why Tulsi or the Holy Basil is considered holy. The story goes that the plant was once the devoted wife of a celestial being. Lord Krishna tricked her into committing a sin so she cursed him into becoming a stone. Impressed with her devotion and sense of righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would be the subject of worship from then on. Tulsi is considered to be a symbol of fidelity. As an adaptogen, it helps maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range. It is also believed to nourish the mind and elevate the spirit.
Tulsi - An Important Medicinal Plant
Although it grows wild just about all over India, tulsi can be found in many homes and temple gardens. Ayurvedically speaking, the medicinal properties of this plant make it sacred. Ancient Indian forest-dwellers would apply a poultice made from the paste of the leaf to destroy poison from snake and scorpion bites. While this is less of a problem for urban folks today, its anti-fungal and antiviral properties make it the perfect medicine for those annoying days when you are stuck at home with the flu, or when you are nursing the common cold. The tonic properties of tulsi are believed to enhance longevity and help treat a host of illnesses from asthma and stress.
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Making Tulsi Part of Your Diet
As the demand for tulsi grows all over the world, organic farms in rural India are beginning to cultivate and export it for commercial use. A fairly easy herb to grow at home in a windowsill garden, I would highly recommend experimenting with growing a small amount of tulsi at home. There are several online suppliers of tulsi seeds.
Tulsi is an extremely versatile herb that can be incorporated into your diet in many different ways:
1. Tulsi Tea
I like to drink tulsi tea after meals, especially during cold winter evenings, as it makes for the perfect digestive aid. Organic India sells a readymade tulsi tea made from dried leaves. Alternatively you can make your own by infusing 1-2 crushed fresh tulsi leaves in hot water for a few minutes.
2. Tulsi Herb Salad
Mixing fresh or dried tulsi leaves with other salad greens makes for a delicious, tangy salad especially if you dress it with fresh lemon juice. Add walnuts for extra bite. They offset the sharp taste of the tulsi leaves.
3. Tulsi & Mint Sauce
The interesting flavors and digestive benefits of tulsi & mint make them Ayurvedically compatible herbs. This Tulsi and Mint Sauce recipe is the perfect accompaniment to just about anything! I use it in the following ways:
- On a crostini with roasted red pepper and goat cheese, perfect for Thanksgiving!
- On kitchari, rice, pasta or risotto
- On lamb or flank steak, a perfect digestive enhancer for red meat.
Although tulsi is widely available in its dried form, if you can access the fresh herb or buys seeds to grow your own, I would highly recommend it. The liquorish-sweetness of fresh tulsi leaves will linger on your taste buds just that little bit longer!
You might be interested in reading Lucille’s post, I Love Organic India Tulsi Tea because it has More than One Healing Property…
Read this week’s articles on foods and farming around the world:
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Italy and “La Ruta Del Café” Eco-Tourism Project in the Dominican Republic
INDIA - “I Am No Lab Rat”, Campaign Against Genetically Modified Foods Spreads Across India
OCEANIA - New Biodiversity Reports and Facts from the Amazing Sustainable Table
Informative,Thanks
[...] “Aside from being a non toxic, nitrogen fixing soil nutrient, it is enhanced with neem, an Ayurvedic herb that improves soil quality by keeping away root grubs and other unwanted soil [...]
hi reen
you are giving thr world a indian treasure.as soon as early world believe we have not to spend money for medical treatment and also harmful body check up’s.good dear keep it up