The holy basil has its origin in India and is generally used in Ayurveda treatments. The Hindus consider it as a sacred plant and is generally seen in all Hindu households. The Hindu name Tulsi means the incomparable one and is generally used in making medicines.
Benefits
Healing Power
Holy basil has many medicinal properties. The leaves serve as a nerve tonic and help to sharpen memory. The catarrh matter and phlegm is removed from the bronchial tube with the help of Tulsi. Extracts of Tulsi plants and leaves stimulates healing of wounds.
Fights Bacteria
Wounds when infected by bacteria worsen it! Holy basil naturally helps to cure the wounds. Many studies have proved that holy basil is a powerful antibiotic which acts against harmful bacteria.
Prevent Diabetes
Inclusion of holy basil in the diet helps to control the blood sugar levels. Holy basil is believed to lower the blood sugar levels and hence is more useful for people with high blood sugar levels.
Prevents Stomach Disorders
Stress harms your stomach by contributing to ulcers and acid reflux. Holy basil is believed to have anti-ulcer properties. It reduces the acidity in stomach and also boosts the production of protective mucus.
Protect Your Joints
Holy Basil has various compounds that are believed to ease inflammation and thus benefits you by relieving your joint pain.
Boost Your Brain
The extracts of holy basil have mentally stimulating and de-stressing capabilities.
Regulates Cholesterol
Many studies have proved that fresh holy basil significantly reduces harmful cholesterol in the blood. It is also proved that extract of holy basil safeguard you against chronic stress. It is proved very beneficial in cardiac diseases. It is effective is reducing the level of blood cholesterol
Fever & Common Cold
Traditionally leaves of basil were used to treat fever. The leaves also act as a preventive against malaria and dengue when boiled with tea. Very high fevers are also treated with the decoction of basil with cardamom, milk and sugar which instantly brings down the temperature.
The extract of basil leaves when given in fresh water is every effective in lowering the fever.
Prevents Coughs
Basil is majorly used in many medicines of Ayurveda. It mainly mobilizes the mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Hence, constantly chewing tulsi leaves relieves you from cold and flu.
Cures your Sore Throat
The basil leaves when boiled with water help in treating your sore throat. It is also used as a gargle.
Treats Respiratory Disorder
This herb is very useful treating respiratory disorder. Basil leaves with honey and ginger is very effective in treating cough and cold, bronchitis, asthma and influenza. Basil leaves with cloves and common salt give immediate relief in influenza.
Treats Kidney Stone
Basil leaves are believed to have a strengthening effect on your kidney. If you take juice of basil leaves and honey for about 6 months the renal stone is expelled through your urinary tract.
Children’s Ailments
Many common pediatric problems like diarrhea, vomiting, cough; cold and fever are treated with the help of juice of basil leaves. The boils of chicken pox are also treated with basil leaves when it is taken along with saffron.
Relieves Stress
Basil leaves are known as anti-stress agent. Many studies have proved that the leaves of Basil protect you against stress. It helps to purify blood and thus prevents some of the common ailments.
Treats Bad Breath
The dried leaves of basil when powdered are used for brushing teeth. The powdered basil is also mixed with mustard oil for its use as toothpaste. This is proved beneficial in maintaining dental health, counteracts bad breath and is helpful for massaging the gums.
Cures Headaches
Basil is used as a treatment for headache. A decoction of the leaves mixed with sandalwood paste is applied on the forehead and is believed to relieve headache and provide coolness.