Tulsi or Tulasi (Scientific term – Ocimum tenuiflorum and Maduruthala in Sinhalese) is an aromatic plant. It is an erect, much branched subshrub 30-60cm tall, with simple opposite green or purple leaves that are strongly scented, and hairy stems. Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to 5cm long, usually somewhat toothed. Flowers are purplish. It is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. There are two main types of Tulasi cultivated in India. The green-leaved (Sri or Lakshmi tulsi) and purple-leaved (Krishna tulsi).

It is known across South Asia as a medicinal plant, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has an important role within the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving Tulsi plants or leaves.

In India, Tulasi plant is very holy and every traditional household has a Tulasi plant in the backyard and is usually planeted in the center of the yard in a raised cement platform. Everyday, women pray to the Tulasi plant and go around it a few times as prayer. I remember as a kid, we ate the tulasi leaves just like that and our parents use to highly encourage us eating Tulasi leaves.

Tulsi as an Ayurvedic medicine
Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. Tulasi has been know to help with stress. It has a strong aroma and astringent taste. It is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of “elixir of life” and believed to promote longevity.

Tulsi’s extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria. Traditionally, tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted from Karpoora Tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics, and is widely used in skin preparations due to its anti-bacterial activity. For centuries, the dried leaves of Tulsi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects.

One study showed Tulsi to be an effective treatment for diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels. The same study showed significant reduction in total cholesterol levels with Tulsi. Another study showed that Tulsi’s beneficial effect on blood glucose levels is due to its antioxidant properties. Tulsi also shows some promise for protection from radiation poisoning and cataracts.