BASIL (TULSI) (BOTANICAL NAME:OSCIMUM BASILICUM)

The basil plant is called as the Holy Tulsi .

This plant finds its place in every Hindu homes and grown in the temple of Perumal. 

Root, stem, seeds and leaves of this plant are of medicinal value.

There are two varieties of tulsi namely Vishnu tulsi aand Ramar tulsi. Out of thesee, Vishnu Tulsi leaves are widely preferred in treatment. It has a peculiar rich aroma emanating when we rub the leaves and roots.

• The leaves and seeds contain an aromatic oil and used as the mosquito repellent.
• The juice of the leaves are well known home remedy
• The powder of black pepper mixed with the juice of the basil leaves is the best dose for Malarial fever
• 100 gms of fresh Tulsi leaves contain 175% of the daily needed doses of vitamin A. Vitamin A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for clear vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• Basil leaves contain health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene and terpineol. These compounds are having anti inflammatory  and anti- bacterial properties.
• An important essential oil Eugenol has been found to have anti inflammatory function by acting against the enzyme Cycloxygenase which mediates inflammatory cascade in the body. This enzyme inhibiting effect of the eugenol in basil makes it an important remedy for symptomatic relief in individuals with inflammatory health problems like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions.
• Oil of basil herb has also been found to have anti infective functions by inhibiting many pathogenic bacteria
• If we put the bunch of fresh leaves of the Tulsi plant  in the drinking water for overnight , tulsi water gives immunity power to our body.
• The juice of the leaves is used for cold  and cough.
• The intake of the juice of the Tulsi with ginger to the patients who are unconscious and have reached the stage of collapse where the pulse beat is imperceptible and heart is sinking. works wonder and the patient will be brought back to consciousness. 
• The juice of the leaves can be fed to a person who is unconscious through snake bite and one to three teaspoonful are given at an interval of 2 to 3 hours. It helps to treat the scorpion sting as well.
• The juice of the leaves with cloves, cardamom helps to treat for common cold and influenza
• The seeds quashed and the powder is used for the treatment of diabetes.
• The whole plant parts  is used for the treatment of renal failure.

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Basil leaves  brewed water in hot condition may be consumed as tea which relieves nausea and it has mild antiseptic properties too. 
This basil plant can be grown as pot herb in the backyard or in front of the house so that its fresh leaves and flowers can be readily plucked for use whenever you want them for treatment.