Health

 Renu Paryani

Tulsi: Holy Basil

Tulsi, the legendary Queen of Herbs of India, is renowned for its religious and spiritual sanctity, as well as for its central role in the traditional Ayurvedic and Unani systems of holistic health and herbal medicine of the East. It is commonly prepared for consumption as a simple tea using the fresh green leaf, leaf juice, dried leaf, powder, cold and hot, as well as oil (ghee) preparations, root and stem formulations, both internally and topically.

According to Indian legends, the plant is an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Tulsi and is thought to open the heart and mind, and bestow love, compassion, faith and devotion. The plant is incorporated in religious rituals and ceremonies, and is grown by traditional Hindu families today.

Tulsi was hailed as the "King of Herbs" by European herbalists and physicians, as well as cooks. The name Basil is likely derived from Greek words referring to "royalty" or "king."

Scientific research indicates that Tulsi offers the following benefits:

 

· Holistic Health Promotion. Enhances general health and well-being.

 

· Stress Resilience. Increases the capacity to adapt to changing and challenging environments. Reduces the negative effects of stress.

· Energy and Performance. Improves stamina and endurance, and increases the body’s efficiency in using oxygen. Enhances protein synthesis and strength.

· Anti-Aging Effects. Helps retain (and regain!) youthful vigour, and slows the biological aging process by reducing the impact of physiological aging factors.

· Radiation Protection. Reduces the cell and tissue damage caused by harmful rays of the sun, TV, computers, X-rays, radiation therapy, high altitude air travel, etc.

· Immunity Tune-Up. Strengthens and modulates the immune system. Reduces allergic histamine, asthmatic and other adverse immune reactions.

· Anti-inflammatory Action. Reduces the painful and dangerous inflammation in various forms of arthritis, cancer and degenerative neurological disorders.

· Heart and Vascular Protection. Lowers dangerous cholesterol and stress-related high blood pressure, protects the heart and blood vessels, and has mild blood thinning qualities.

· Lung and Bronchial Support. Has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of a variety of serious allergic, inflammatory and infectious disorders affecting the lungs and related tissues.

· Nutrition. Contains vitamins C and A, and minerals calcium, zinc and iron, as well as chlorophyll and many other phytonutrients. It also enhances the efficient digestion, absorption and use of nutrients from food and other herbs.

· And, Tulsi also lowers fevers, reduces nausea, vomiting and cramping, protects against gastric ulcers, lowers dangerous blood sugar levels in diabetics, diminishes bad breath, and repels mosquitoes!