I remember the first time I met Tulsi. It was about ten years ago in a high-rise apartment in New Delhi. I was smoking then (now that’s going to be a good story!) out on a balcony overlooking Gurgaon (renamed Gurugram in 2019.) I didn’t want to flick the cigarette off the balcony where it could land and cause untold conflagrations. Instead, I stubbed it out in the single flower pot in the corner which happened to be the house of none other than city Tulsi! My Friend lunged at me aghast!
“No! You must not put that out on Tulsi’s feet!”
And thus began my love affair with the beautiful enigmatic Tulsi, a devotee of Krishna, and a virtual cornucopea of health benefits. Little did I know how entwined our relationship would become.
Tulsi or Holy Basil is part of the Lamiaceae family of shrubs that includes the mints and basils that originated in north-central India, where it has been recognized and revered as “The Queen of the Herbs’ food over 5,000 years by the science of natural medicine known as Ayurveda. The perennial herb has a light lemon scent and purple-pink flowers. Since time immemorial, Tulsi has been used to treat anxiety, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and blood sugar imbalances.
There are many varieties of Tulsi, but the two common ones in India are Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) which has a white stem, and Krishna or Shyam Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), which has a dark pinkish-purple stem. Both types are similar in smell and benefits.
Just recently, there has been research published in the journal “Nutrition and Cancer” showing Tulsi’s cancer-fighting abilities of the phytochemicals found in the stems, seeds, and leaves. The studies suggest that Tulsi can prevent chemical-induced lung, liver, oral, and skin cancers because of the increased antioxidant activity. (4) Additionally, Holy Basil appears to help protect the body from radiation poison and heals damage from radiation treatment according to research published in the 2016 in the “Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics” (5)
The findings from this study suggest that basil leaves may be prescribed as an adjunct to dietary therapy and drug treatment in mild to moderate non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. (3)
Modern studies classify Tulsi as an adaptogenic herb, meaning it helps to support the body’s overall health due to stress from physical, environmental, or emotional sources. And since they have used it as a natural medicine in eastern traditions for thousands of years, you might want to consider adding Tulsi to your wellness routine.
Tulsi is generally effective in helping ease almost all varieties of respiratory disorders, including working as a bronchitis natural remedy and a deep cough remedy for coughs that usually comes on with upper respiratory infections like a cold or flu. Tulsi drops (essential oil extract of the plant) became a part of my daily routine when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Scientific studies have confirmed that Holy Basil possesses impressive anti-asthmatic abilities and can make breathing easier. (8, 9)
Breathe+Plus
Very simple interface, but lets you customize everything you might want to customize like lengths for inhalation, exhalations, and holds.
In Hindu traditions, they worship Tulsi as the Vrinda Devi who came to earth to sweeten the forests of Vrindavan where Krishna and his cowherd girlfriends like to play and pass their times in idyllic devotions. In her plant form, Tulsi always stays at Krishna’s feet and around his neck as prayer beads made of wood from the Tulsi plant. Vrindavan is completely under the control of Tulsi, and in fact, Vrindavan means Tulsi forest. Everywhere you can find Tulsi plants.
The Tulsi plant has become such a part of my life, it’s hard to remember a time when I knew nothing about her. Our relationship runs deep today, including:
The Tulsi plant has become such a part of my life, it’s hard to remember a time when I knew nothing about her. Our relationship runs deep today, including:
Sales of all sizes, shapes, and quality of Tulsi beads grown and crafted only in Vrindavan.
Supporting many local women who make our chanting malas.
Supporting local artisan who carve the beads. We can special order just about any carving through our talented Tulsi artisans.
A courtyard filled with Tulsi plants, lovingly cared for by Shanti.
Tulsi essential oil drops a used daily in everything from teas to neti pots.
And speaking of tea, my favorite is a spicy Tulsi tea recipe of mine using an abundant of herbs, spices and local honey that builds immunity and fires up the digestion!
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