Tulsi: The Holy Plant

Tulsi: The Holy Plant

The 'tulsi' plant or Indian basil is an important symbol in the Hindu tradition. The name 'tulsi' means "the unique one". Tulsi is a respected plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama tulsi and light or Rama tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal values. Of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama tulsi is commonly used for worship. 

A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a tulsi plant in the courtyard with shalikram with the tulsi, without shalikram tulsi pooja is considered half. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for small earthen oil lamp. Some households can even have up to a dozen tulsi plants on the verandah or in the garden forming a "tulsi-van." or "tulsivrindavan" - a miniature basil forest.

According to the Gandharv Tantra, include grounds overgrown with tulsi plants. The Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi is one of the famous temples, where tulsi is worshipped along with other Hindu gods and goddesses. Vaishnavites or believers of Lord Vishnu worship the tulsi leaf because it's the one that pleases Lord Vishnu the most. They also wear beaded necklaces made of tulsi stems. The manufacture of these tulsi necklaces is a cottage industry in pilgrimages and temple towns.

Tulsi is not just having religious implication but it has great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stern taste, tulsi promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes though of late it is used in the manufacture of herbal toiletry.

Quite a few myths and legends found in the Puranas or ancient scriptures point to the origin of importance of tulsi in religious rituals. Although tulsi is regarded as feminine, in no folklore is she described as the consort the Lord. Yet a garland solely made of tulsi leaves is the first offering to the Lord as part of the daily ritual. The plant is accorded the sixth place among the eight objects of worship in the ritual of the consecration of the Kalasha, the container of holy water. 

According to one legend, Tulsi was the incarnation of a princess who fell in love with Lord Krishna, and so had a curse laid on her by his companion Radha. Tulsi is also mentioned in the stories of Meera and of Radha immortalized in Jayadev's Gita Govinda. The story of Lord Krishna has it that when Krishna was weighed in gold, not even all the ornaments of Satyabhama could outweigh him. But a single tulsi leaf placed by Rukmani on the pan tilted the scale. 

In the Hindu mythology, tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi is ceremonially married to Lord Vishnu annually on the 11th bright day of the month of Kartika in the lunar calendar. This festival continues for five days and ends on the full moon day, which falls in mid October. This ritual, called the 'Tulsi Vivaha' inaugurates the annual marriage season in India.

The tulsi plant is even known to purify or de-pollute the atmosphere and also works as a repulsive to mosquitoes, flies and other harmful insects. Tulsi used to be a universal remedy in cases of malarial fever.

Tulsi leaves contain a bright yellow volatile oil which is useful against insects and bacteria. The principal constituents of this oil are Eugenol, eugenol methyl ether and carvacrol. The oil is reported to possess anti-bacterial properties and acts as an insecticide. It inhibits the in vitro growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus. It has marked insecticidal activity against mosquitoes. 

The juice of leaves, and or a concoction, called jushanda, a kind of tea, gives relief in common cold, fever, bronchitis, cough, digestive complaints, etc. When applied locally, it helps in eradicating ringworms and other skin diseases. Tulsi oil is also used as ear drops in case of pain. The seeds are used in curing urinary problems. Aphrodisiac virtue has been attributed to it, where powdered Tulsi root with clarified butter (ghee) is prescribed.

It is an excellent ingredient in the bath; it is also popular for sachets and incenses. Fresh tulsi has a peppery, spicy aroma and is preferred to dried tulsi which quickly loses its fragrance. It has been observed that a walk through a garden lined with basil only enhances the benefits of a pleasant stroll and placing a sprig of fresh basil in your car on road trips, refreshes your senses. 

Tulsi contains hundreds of beneficial compounds known as phyto-chemicals which work together to present compounds that possess strong anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, antiviral, adaptogenic and immune enhancing properties that promote general health and support the body’s natural defense against stress and diseases. It is a favorite additive culinary herb. Tulsi tea is wonderfully refreshing. The best part of the matter is that certain Indian scientists are at the threshold of finalizing their discovery of a reliable medicine against cancer out of Tulsi plant. 

Tulsi mala is very sacred and is worn around the neck. It is a popular ornament for the spiritual seeker in India, besides the sphatik mala and the rudraksh mala. It is a sign of purity. The tulsi leaf has proved its medicinal persona beyond doubt.

The Tulsi mala is made of either 108 or 54 tulsi beads, which are strung on a silver string. Tulsi mala is regularly worn by all pilgrims going to Lord Ayyappa's temple at Sabarimala. 

In the month of Kartik or October Hindus celebrate a religious ceremony called Tulsi Vivah during which tulsi representing goddesses is symbolically married to Saligram representing Lord Vishnu, ‘Sustainer of the Universe’, one of the holy Hindu trinity. On account of the spiritual significance of tulsi, its woody roots are used for carving rosary beads used by Hindus for meditation.  

The tulsi is a plant which has several stories woven around it. In the Vrat Kaumudi, there is a detailed description of how Lord Krishna was worshipped using holy basil leaves. Hence, it is closely linked to the very roots of our civilization and has a history of over 5,000 years.  

Some of the well known medicinal properties of tulsi are as follows:

 

• Tulsi helps relieve cough and sore throat 
• Soothing in treating skin and tooth infections 
• Helps lower blood sugar levels 
• Improves immunity and hence protects against infection 
• Is a carminative and aids digestion  
• Prevents heart disease 
• Ingestion of tulsi helps relieve migraines and headaches 
• It helps in treatment of food poisoning, stomach flu, and children’s ailments like diarrhea and vomiting 
• Tulsi’s antimicrobial property useful in the topical treatment of ringworm 
• The juice of tulsi taken for six months at a stretch can help in easy expulsion of kidney stone via the urinary tract 
• Excellent for treatment of cancer