|
|
| Medicinal Herbs -> Tulsi |
| |
Tulsi is known in different regions, languages and dialects of India by a variety of other names,
including Tulasi, Surasah, Ajaka, Parnasa, Manjari, Haripriya (beloved of Lord Vishnu) and Bhutagni (destroyer of demons).
Hindu denominations may regard Tulsi Devi as representing the Goddess.
Tulsi is often enjoyed as a simple herbal tea
and is frequently blended with other herbs and spices for various medicinal and culinary purposes.
|
|
| |
Renowned as a general tonic and vitalizer,
“ e Elixir of Life”, Tulsi has been traditionally
employed in hundreds of diff erent formulations
for the treatment of a wide range of
disorders, including those of the mouth and
throat, lungs, heart, blood, liver, kidney, and
the digestive, metabolic, reproductive and nervous
systems. Tulsi is commonly used to treat
coughs, colds and fl u, head and ear aches, rheumatism
and arthritis, malaria, fever, allergies,
and various skin diseases, to reduce the toxicity
of various poisons, including insect and reptile
bites, to expel intestinal parasites, repel insects
and purify the air.
Modern scientifi c research provides evidence that Tulsi off ers the following benefi ts:
Holistic Health Promotion
Enhances general health and well-being,
having positive overall eff ects on the body
and mind.
Stress Resilience
Increases the capacity to cope and adapt to
changing and challenging environments,
and reduces the negative physical and psychological
eff ects of stress (adaptogenic).
Energy and Performance Enhancement
Improves stamina and endurance, and increases
the body’s effi ciency in using oxygen.
Enhances protein synthesis and strength.
Anti-Aging Eff ects
Slows the biological aging process by reducing
the impact of physiological aging factors.
Antioxidant Activity
Provides signifi cant antioxidant and free
radical scavenging protection. Neutralizes
dangerous biochemicals that contribute to
premature aging, cataracts, cancer and other
degenerative diseases.
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-infl ammatory Action
Reduces the painful and dangerous infl ammation
that plays a key role in various forms
of arthritis, cancer and degenerative neurological
disorders.
Antibiotic Protection
Off ers signifi cant natural antibacterial, antiviral
and antifungal protection and is, thereby,
helpful in treating many serious systemic
diseases, as well as localized infections.
Heart and Vascular Protection
Lowers dangerous cholesterol and stressrelated
high blood pressure, protects the
heart and blood vessels, and has mild blood
thinning qualities, thereby decreasing the
likelihood of strokes.
Liver Support
Generally contributes to healthy liver function,
improves the metabolic breakdown and
elimination of dangerous chemicals in the
blood, and counteracts various liver diseases.
Lung and Bronchial Support
In addition to contributing generally to
respiratory health, Tulsi has been shown to
be helpful in the treatment of a variety of
serious allergic, infl ammatory and infectious
disorders aff ecting 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. Also
enhances the effi cient digestion, absorption
and use of nutrients from food and other
herbs.
Allopathic Medicine Complement
Enhances the eff ectiveness and reduces the
negative and often dangerous side eff ects of
many standard modern medical treatments.
Other Benefi ts
Lowers fevers, protects against gastric ulcers,
reduces dangerous blood sugar levels in diabetics,
and supports dental and periodontal
health (and diminishes “bad breath”). Also
protects against mercury poisoning, speeds
healing of bone fractures, reduces nausea,
vomiting and cramping, and repels insects,
including mosquitoes and lice.
High Safety Margin
Research indicates that Tulsi has a very
high safety margin with exceptionally low
toxicity, providing general benefi cial eff ects
at doses without adverse reactions or other
undesirable side eff ects. Tulsi’s Botanical Identity
Tulsi is identifi ed by botanists primarily
as Ocimum sanctum (Rama and Krishna Tulsi
varieties) or more recently Ocimum tenuifl orum,
and Ocimum gratissimum (Vana Tulsi variety).
Belonging to the Lamiaceae/Labiatae mint family,
these and other closely related species and
varieties (e.g., Ocimum canum) are cousins of
the familiar sweet basil cooking herb Ocimum
basilicum.
In parts of India, all of the basils are
honoured as Tulsi.Tulsi is traditionally taken in a variety of
forms, including cold and hot fresh or dried
leaf tea infusions (herbal teas), fresh green leaf,
leaf juice, ground or powdered leaf, alcohol
tinctures, poultices and oil (ghee) preparations,
as well as seed, root and stem formulations,
both internally and topically.
In addition,
modern human clinical studies and animal experiments
also employ various extracts and isolated
compounds, sometimes administered by
injection. diff ering Tulsi preparations likely
vary to a considerable degree, both chemically
and in their overall pharmacological eff ects.Substantial evidence has accumulated that,
in addition to Tulsi’s many specifi c therapeutic
applications, the herb’s powerful general
adaptogenic properties off er signifi cant preventative
and curative potential with respect to the
stress-related degenerative diseases endemic to
industrialized societies.
Ongoing clinical investigation
of Tulsi’s health promoting qualities is
sure to bear rich fruit.
|
| Post an Enquiry |
|
|
