What are Tulsi leaves?

🌿 Tulsi (Holy Basil): The Sacred Herb of India

Tulsi, scientifically known as Ocimum tenuiflorum or Holy Basil, is perhaps the most revered and culturally significant herb in the Indian context. It is not merely a plant but a sacred symbol, intrinsically linked to Hindu traditions and Ayurvedic medicine. Characterized by its fragrant, slightly spicy, and pungent leaves (which can be green Rama Tulsior purple Krishna Tulsi), the plant is found in nearly every traditional Hindu courtyard, where it is worshiped daily. This deep-rooted religious and spiritual status underscores its ubiquity and importance across the nation.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

In India, the Tulsi plant is considered an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and a consort of Lord Vishnu. The presence of a Tulsi Vrindavan (a small, raised structure where the plant is grown) is a common sight outside homes, signifying purity, prosperity, and protection. Rituals involve circling the plant, offering water, and reciting prayers. This pervasive cultural practice ensures that Tulsi is not just easily available but is actively maintained and cared for, making it the most familiar and accessible medicinal plant in the country.

Primary Use in Ayurvedic Medicine

The most extensive use of Tulsi is in the traditional system of Ayurvedic medicine, where it is famed as the "Queen of Herbs" and a powerful adaptogen. An adaptogen is a substance that helps the body adapt to stress and exert a normalizing effect on bodily processes. Tulsi leaves are traditionally chewed or brewed into tea to treat a host of ailments. Its primary benefits are believed to be boosting immunity, reducing stress, and fighting respiratory illnesses like coughs, colds, and bronchitis.

Everyday Culinary and Therapeutic Applications

Beyond formal medicine, Tulsi is incorporated into daily life as a home remedy. Tulsi tea (a simple decoction of leaves boiled in water) is the most common preparation, serving as an invigorating, caffeine-free beverage that provides relief from seasonal changes. The leaves are sometimes added to water to purify it or chewed raw as a natural disinfectant. While not a primary cooking spice like curry leaves or coriander, its use is purely therapeutic and aromatic, focused on promoting overall health and wellness.

Availability and Accessibility

Due to its religious and medicinal status, Tulsi is exceptionally easy to find and cultivate. It is often grown at home, purchased cheaply as a sapling from nurseries, or available in dried and powdered forms in any pharmacy or health store. In recent years, commercial products like Tulsi drops and Tulsi green tea bags have made the herb even more accessible to urban populations, cementing its place as an affordable and trusted home remedy from the smallest village to the largest city.

In summary, Tulsi (Holy Basil) is a unique and indispensable part of the Indian context, symbolizing spirituality, health, and purity. Its sacred status, ease of availability, and profound Ayurvedic benefits—particularly in boosting immunity and reducing stress—ensure that this fragrant herb remains a constant and cherished fixture in Indian homes, bridging the gap between faith, tradition, and well-being.

Also Known as

Indian basil, Holy basil

How to Select Tulsi Leaves 

• The leaves should look vibrant and green coloured, without any dark spots and patches.

• Avoid selecting leaves with holes, as it’s a sign of insect damage.

• These days, dried tulsi powder is also available in the market and can be conveniently used in a variety of recipes.

Culinary uses of Indian basil, tulsi leaves in Indian cooking

Tulsi has the anti-bacterial property which helps to relieve cold. It’s known to boost immune system and keep other diseases at bay. By maintaining the pH balance in the stomach it helps to ease acidity. Some phytochemicals in tulsi are known to protect against cancer too. Being an antioxidant it detoxifies the body as well.

The most effective time to have this Tulsi Water is early in the morning on an empty stomach. Make it a habit of consuming Tulsi Water for a healthy body free of stress, anxiety and depression.

Tulsi ka Kadha, a herbal tea with the goodness of tulsi leaves, lemongrass, ginger and gur works wonders with common cold and cough. This Tulsi ka Kadha is soothing and helps relieve congestion. A perfect home remedy in a cup for common cold and cough. You can sip on this kadha multiple times in a day, just store it and heat it before you want to drink it.

Tulsi Tea for weight loss. Tulsi leaves is a very refreshing herb. While Tulsi Water helps to reap all the benefits of this herb, Tulsi Tea is equally helpful. A warm cup of Tulsi Tea is one of the best herbal cuppa for a healthy YOU. The warm water in the tea helps to soothes the digestive system and boosts metabolism which aids in weight loss. On the other hand, the addition of lemon juice adds a dose of antioxidants which helps to reduce the body inflammation.

• Tulsi leaves are often used for their various medicinal properties.

• They can be added to a variety of juices and syrups.

• You can add zest to tea and herbal drinks by adding a few sprigs of tulsi.

• Enjoy a warm cup of invigorating tulsi tea by infusing chopped tulsi leaves in boiling water for eight minutes.

• It can be included in salads and desserts too.

How to Store Tulsi Leaves• Fresh tulsi leaves can be stored in the refrigerator for few days. Before refrigeration, clean and wrap them tightly in a plastic film or store in an air-tight container.

• It is best to use fresh leaves within a day or two after they have been plucked as they tend to wither and lose their aroma and flavour soon.

Health Benefits of Tulsi Leaves

•

Tulsi Leaves (Holy Basil) : Tulsi has the anti-bacterial property which helps to relieve cold. It’s known to boost immune system and keep other diseases at bay. By maintaining the pH balance in the stomach it helps to ease acidity. Some phytochemicals in tulsi are known to protect against cancer too. Being an antioxidant it detoxifies the body as well. The most effective time to have this Tulsi Water is early in the morning on an empty stomach. Make it a habit of consuming Tulsi Water for a healthy body free of stress, anxiety and depression.

tulsi water | 100% tulsi water | holy basil water | Indian tulsi water

Tulsi leaves have a very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and antibiotic properties that are great for resolving fevers.

• Tulsi leaves are packed with antioxidants and essential oils that produce eugenol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene. Collectively these substances help the pancreatic beta cells to function properly. This in turn helps increase sensitivity to insulin, lowering one’s blood sugar and treating diabetes effectively.

• An added advantage is that the antioxidants present in the leaves help beat the ill effects of oxidative stress.

• Chewing a few leaves of tulsi on an empty stomach everyday can both prevent and protect against heart ailments.

• According to a study conducted by the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, tulsi helps to maintain the stress hormone, cortisol, within normal limits.

• Being a great diuretic and detoxifier, tulsi leaves are good for the kidneys. Tulsi helps reduce uric acid levels in the blood, and also helps cleanse the kidneys. The presence of acetic acid and other components in its essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones, while its analgesic effect helps dull down the pain of kidney stones.

Nutritive Information for Tulsi Leaves / Holy Basil:

1 cup of chopped tulsi / holy basil is about 20 grams

RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy - 5 calories

Protein – 0.6 g

Carbohydrate – 0.5 g

Fat – 0.1 g

Fiber – 0.3 g

Vitamins:

316.4 mcg of Vitamin A = 6.59% of RDA (about 4800 mcg)

3.6 mg of Vitamin C = 9% of RDA (about 40 mg)

13.6 mcg of Folate (Vitamin B9) = 13.6% of RDA (about 100 mcg)

83 mcg of Vitamin K = 69% of RDA (about 120 mcg)

Minerals:

35.4 mg of Calcium = 3.54% of RDA (about 1000 mg)

0.6 mg of Iron = 3% of RDA (about 20 mg)

3.65 mg of Magnesium = 8.5% of RDA (about 350 mg)

11.2 mg of Phosphorus = 1.8% of RDA (about 600 mg)

59 mg of Potassium = 1.25% of RDA (about 4700 mg)