Tulsi, The Wonder Drug

The Times of India,
Mar 3, 2005
Neetu Shukla

SINCE TIME immemorial, Tuisi Is not only renowned but also praised for its health promoting and disease preventing properties. Tulsi the sacred basil (Ocimum Sanctum) has captivated the Imagination of man, from before the times of Rigveda lbr its good health and environment.

Tulsi is the plant that has made important costribution to the field of science from ancient times as also to modern research due to its large number of medicinal properties. Tulsi is one herb that possesses the anti-stress, anti-bacterial, anti viral, anti fungal, anti protozoal, anti oxidant and anti carcinogenic properties.

As sacred as Rama and Shyama, third type, of Tulsi, the 'Van Tulsi' (botanically know as Ocimum Gratissimum) is termed as the 'very grateful basil.' Though the knowledge of this type of Tulsi variety is constrained, it can be used in the same manner as Rama and Shyama. Himalayas is the place where the Van Tulsi is mainly found but they are found in large abundance in North India.

Though with time, a number of herbal medicines have developed, the role of Tulsi cannot be ignored since it has played an important role in maintaining its doctrine and value in every household. Chemically, Tulsi contains alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins glycosides, phenols, spooning, tannins and terrene.

Consumption of Tulsi in its raw form is more effective as, then, instead of providing selective ingredients, it provides us with its entire constitution. The Padampuranas and Tulsi Kavachan describe Tulsi as a protector of life accompanying the human being form birth till death.

Even in faults that according to Ayurveda have vatta, pitta and kapha, literally meaning 'wind, bile and phlegm', Tulsi plays a very important role, as Ayurveda looks at disease with a holistic views- point and disturbance of normal physiological functions of the body.

Tulsi contains multiple bioactive substances as well as minerals and vitamins, normalizing the disturbed physiological functions of the body by harmonizing the different imbalance that is confirmed with the an dent Ayurvedic concepts of Tridoshas.

Tulsi possesses anti- stress or adaptogenic properties having a staminator effect. The extracts of Tulsi leaf also helps in Inhibiting the enzyme of filarial worm, anti-tubercular, anti-funngal, anti-viral function as It possess the hypocholoestromic activity.

The most dreaded disease AIDS can also be regulated with its anti-AIDS properties. Tulsi is useful In AIDS and it markedly reduces cell-mediated Immunity. Tulsi also affects the Central Nervous System by prolonging the time of lost reflex.

Not only this, ancient texts like Susruta Samhita, Padampurana and Garudpurana, after centuries of observation in humans, also describes Tulsi as a 'child giver' and great spermatogenic agent. They report Tulsi as a fertility Improver and enhance the chances of woman bearing progeny.

Tulsi is rightly termed as a 'wonder drug' and if one wants to learn more about it, one may talk to Dr Narendra Singh of International Institute of Herbal Medicine Who has done a lot of work on this 'sacred basil'.