Tulsi, also called holy basil, is a herb that offers numerous health benefits, making it widely popular worldwide. In fact, in our country, Tulsi's benefits go beyond its medicinal value, as its connection with Hinduism and Ayurveda runs deep, making it a sacred plant.
As we struggle with present-day lifestyle and food habits, incorporating Tulsi into our daily lives can help us effectively alleviate health issues while maintaining our overall health.
10 Major Health Benefits of Tulsi Leaves
1.Improves Respiratory Health
Maintaining respiratory health is one of the top priorities in today's global health scenario. Traditional use of Tulsi supports overall respiratory health by alleviating respiratory conditions like colds, coughs, asthma and bronchitis.
It features bronchodilator and expectorant properties that effectively soothe aggravated airways and clear congestion in the lungs, thereby promoting effortless breathing.
2.Helps Overcome Stress
One prominent use of Tulsi is to induce a sense of calm and relaxation in today’s stress-induced environment.
Its adaptogenic properties help with adapting to stress while maintaining balance. It is known to support the natural resilience of your body to both emotional and physical stressors through cortisol level regulation.
Lowers Chronic Ailment Risk
This herb contains antioxidant properties such as polyphenols, essential oils and flavonoids, which contribute to neutralising oxidative stress and free radicals (harmful) in your body.
Consuming Tulsi daily can lower the chances of developing chronic ailments and slow down the ageing process by safeguarding cells from damage.
3.Supports Heart Health
You can use Tulsi to improve your cardiovascular health because it significantly helps regulate cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
It is known to lower cholesterol oxidation, maintain healthy blood circulation and provide protection against stroke and heart disease.
4.Helps in Managing Diabetes
One of Tulsi leaves' benefits includes effective diabetes management. The hypoglycemic effects of Tulsi leaves can help lower the level of glucose in the body. A good way to manage diabetes is to consume Neem and Tulsi extracts together, which can reduce glucose levels.
5.Boosts Kidney Function
Tulsi can be used to detoxify the body, enhancing kidney filtration and promoting liver health. It aids in eliminating metabolic waste and toxins from the body. Additionally, it contributes to blood purification, liver cleansing, and the restoration of the body from the inside.
6.Promotes Better Digestion
Tulsi helps boost gastrointestinal health and improve digestion through better digestive enzyme secretion and improved nutrient absorption. It relieves symptoms of digestive discomfort like stomach cramps, indigestion, gas and bloating.
7.Lowers Inflammation and Improves Immunity
The immune-modulating properties of this medicinal herb help in enhancing overall immunity. Moreover, phytochemicals like rosmarinic acid and eugenol, present in Tulsi, contain anti-inflammatory properties that help lower inflammation and its symptoms like allergic reactions, arthritis and asthma.
8. Prevents Infections
Cineole and eugenol are among the essential oils present in Tulsi in high content, which contain antimicrobial properties. This helps your body to fight against various antimicrobial activities caused by parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. Consequently, your wounds heal at a faster rate, and your body is protected from infections.
9.Works Wonders on the Skin and Eyes
There are major benefits of Tulsi associated with skin health, whether you consume this herb or apply it on the skin. It can effectively treat skin infections and acne, boosting skin texture and lightening dark spots on your skin. It is also used for treating skin allergies and tightening skin pores.
Tulsi can also be used for eye-related issues, such as soothing the eyes, lowering the strain that your eyes endure on a regular basis and helping prevent conditions like boils and conjunctivitis.
10.Ensures Better Cognitive Health
The calming effect of Tulsi helps relax your nervous system and lower your anxiety and depression-related symptoms. This herb enhances mental clarity, cognitive function and focus, which results in better mood and emotional well-being.
Tulsi - Medicinal Uses
As already discussed, Tulsi has medicinal properties that assist with treating and managing several health issues. Some medicinal benefits of Tulsi, which is a summation of what has been mentioned above, include:
Tulsi can be used for curing fever.
It can be used to improve heart health by managing blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.
It can be helpful in managing inflammatory symptoms like asthma and arthritis.
It has been used for several centuries and is still used in curing common colds, coughs and respiratory issues.
It contributes to better digestion and improved gastronomical health.
Apart from this, Tulsi leaves can be used as an insect repellent and to provide relief from the pain associated with insect stings or bites. Chewing Tulsi leaves every time you have the urge to smoke can also help you quit smoking if you are looking to get rid of this unhealthy habit.
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Preventive measures like adding Tulsi or other medicinal herbs can indeed help you avoid certain medical issues. While the benefits of Tulsi cannot be undermined, it is also true that this medicinal herb alone cannot provide you with holistic health benefits.
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Conclusion
Not everyone can comprehend that nature provides us with amazing plants like Tulsi for our overall well-being. While adding Tulsi to your daily diet has several health benefits, overconsumption may lead to side effects like tooth enamel damage, nausea, liver damage, etc. It is best to talk to your doctor before using this herb to treat your health issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tulsi be used for weight loss?
Yes, Tulsi works to improve the body’s metabolism. As your metabolism improves, it becomes easier to lose weight. Additionally, Tulsi is efficient in improving digestion, which contributes to weight loss.
Is Tulsi recommended for improving memory?
The potential benefits of using Tulsi include rejuvenation, stress reduction, mind relaxation and improved memory. However, all these benefits are subject to further research, so it is best to consult a doctor rather than self-medicate.
Can Tulsi offer relief from serious skin-related problems?
You can add Tulsi leaves to your bath water for smooth skin. This herb might also help soothe skin problems like ringworms, rashes and eczema. However, it is best to consult with your doctor before making any decision, as more research is required in this matter.
Why should pregnant women avoid Tulsi?
Consuming Tulsi may cause uterine contractions, which can increase the possibility of miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid Tulsi.