Ocimium sanctum, - MORE THAN A HERB, “GODDESS TULSI”

MORE THAN A HERB, “GODDESS TULSI”

….being a hindu I could not write about or place this particular herb in the group of other plants, as while other herbs may be worshipped, this particular one itself is a deity, a reincarnation of goddess lakshmi on earth, it being occupying an important place decorating heads and necks of all hindu gods in all big and small temples, it is offered as a prasada, and is considered the best offerings to god, more than even money, it is sacred, it is spiritual, it is a part of hindu mythology, so I have compiled out certain aspects of this herb other than just limiting it to a medicinal herb, it has got some spiritual value, much more than medicinal, so its more than a herb , no doubt, an no hindu will considered it as one, but for others it might not be the same case, it is a way of approach of vedas of assigning “bhavas” or feelings to non-living matter and non-human matter, namely sattvika or pure-consciousness state, rajasa or vibrant state and tamasa or the negative, dormant state ! Tulsi is said to possess sattvik bhava, or the qualities of pure consciouness, and in hindu mythology, consciouness is god (AHAM BRAHMAASMI), for better understanding of the bhaavas I will also say other examples too, cow is sacred as it possess sattvik bhava, lotus is sacred due to that, pegion is said to possess sattvik bhava and the like,…so it will be a bit of injustice if the cultural importance of the herb was uncovered here ! Do understand that point of view as this means god to majority of population in India, the Hindus !

TULSI IN HINDUISM

Tulsi or Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) or Holy basil is a sacred plant in Hindu belief. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi, a consort of the god Vishnu. The offering of its leaves is mandatory in ritualistic worship of Vishnu and his forms like Krishna and Vithoba.

Many Hindus have tulsi plants growing in front of or near their home, often in special pots or special small masonry structures. Traditionally, Tulsi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses The plant is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely known across the Indian Subcontinentas a medicinal plant and a herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda.

SALUTATIONS TO TULSI

1) namah tulasi kalyaaNi namo vishnu priye shubhe
namo moksha pradaayike devi namaH sampatpradaayike

Salutations to the benevolent Thulasi, Salutations to the holy darling of Vishnu Salutations to goddess giving salvation, Salutations to her who grantswealth.

2) Yanmule sarva thirthani yanmadye sarva devatha
yadagre sarva vedashcha Tulasi thvam namam mayham

I bow to the Tulasi at whose base (Yanmule) are all the holy places (Sarva thirthani), at whose middle (yanmadye) are all deities (sarva devatha) and on whose top (yadagre) reside all Vedas (sarva vedashcha) . We see Tulasi as the embodiment of everything

EIGHT NAMES OF TULASI

Vrindavani – one who first manifested in Vrindavan.

Vrinda – The goddess of all plants and trees (even if one Tulasi plant is present in a forest it can be called Vrindavan.).

Visvapujita – one whom the whole universe worships.

Pushpasara – the top most of all flowers, without whom Krishna does not like to look upon other flowers.

Nandini – seeing whom gives unlimited bliss to the devotees.

Krishna-jivani – The life of Krishna.

Visva-pavani – one who purifies the three worlds.

Tulasi – one who has no comparison.

GLORIES OF TULASI ACCORDING TO PADMA PURANA

 Lord Shiva said: "My dear Narad Muni, kindly listen now I will relate to you the wonderful glories of Tulasi Devi.

        One who hears Tulasi Devi’s glories will have all his sinful reactions, stored from many births, destroyed and very quickly attain the lotus-feet of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.

        The leaves, flowers, roots, bark, branches, trunk and the shade of Tulasi Devi are all spiritual.

        One, whose dead body is burnt in a fire, which has Tulasi wood as fuel, will attain the spiritual world, even if he is the most sinful of sinful persons, and the person who lights up that fire, will be freed from all sinful reactions.

        One who at the time of death takes the name of Lord Krishna and is touching the wood of Tulasi Devi will attain the spiritual world.

        When the dead body is being burnt, even if one small piece of Tulasi wood is put in the fire, then that person will attain the spiritual world; by the touch of Tulasi all other wood is purified. When the messengers of Lord Vishnu see a fire which has Tulasi wood burning in it they immediately come and take that person whose body has been burnt to the spiritual world. The messengers of Yamaraj will not come to that place when Tulasi wood is burning. That person’s body which has been burnt by Tulasi wood goes to the spiritual world and on his way all the demigods shower flowers on him. When Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva see that person on his way to the spiritual world, they become very happy and bless him and Lord Krishna comes before him and taking his hand, He takes him to His own abode.

        One, who happens to go to a place where Tulasi wood has been burnt will become purified of all sinful reactions. That Brahmin, who is performing a fire sacrifice and places amongst the other wood Tulasi wood, will get the result of one agnihotra yajna (fire sacrifice) for each grain offered in that fire.

        One who offers Lord Krishna incense made of Tulasi wood will get the same result of one hundred fire sacrifices and of giving one hundred cows in charity.

        One who cooks an offering for Lord Krishna on a fire which has Tulasi wood in it, will attain the same benefit as one who gives in charity a hill of grains as large as Mount Meru for each grain of such an offering to Lord Krishna.

        One who lights up a lamp to be offered to Lord Krishna with a piece of Tulasi wood will attain the same benefit as one who offers ten million lamps to Lord Krishna.

        There is no one more dear to Lord Krishna than that person.

        One who applies the paste of Tulasi wood to the body of the Deity of Lord Krishna with devotion will always live close to Lord Krishna.

        That person who puts the mud from the base of Tulasi Devi on his body and worships the Deity of Lord Krishna, gets the results of one hundred days worship each day.

        One who offers a Tulasi Manjari to Lord Krishna gets the benefit of offering all the varieties of flowers after which he goes to the abode of Lord Krishna.

        One who sees or comes near a house or garden where the Tulasi plant is present gets rid of all his previous sinful reactions including that of killing a Brahmin.

        Lord Krishna happily resides in that house, town, or forest, where Tulasi Devi is present.

        That house where Tulasi Devi is present never falls on bad times and due to Tulasi Devi’s presence that place becomes more pure than all the Holy places.

        Wherever the smell of Tulasi Devi is taken by the wind it purifies everyone who comes in contact with it.

        In that house where the mud from the Tulasi Devi is kept, all the demigods along with Lord Krishna will always reside.

        Wherever the shade of Tulasi Devi falls is purified and is the best place for offering fire sacrifices.

  Kartikeya inquired: "My dear father (Lord Shiva) which tree or plant is capable of giving love of God?"

        Lord Shiva replied: "My dear son, of all trees and plants Tulasi Devi is the topmost; She is all auspicious, the fulfiller of all desires, completely pure, most dear to Lord Krishna and the topmost devotee.

        Long ago, Lord Krishna for the welfare of all conditioned souls brought Vrindadevi in her form of a plant (Tulasi) and planted her in this material world. Tulasi is the essence of all devotional activities. Without Tulasi leaves, Lord Krishna does not like to accept flowers, food stuffs, sandalwood paste, in fact anything without Tulasi leaves is not looked upon by Lord Krishna.

        One who worships Lord Krishna daily with Tulasi leaves attains the results of all kinds of austerities, charity, fire-sacrifices. In fact he does not have any other duties to perform, and he has realized the essence of all scriptures.

        Just as the Ganges river is purifying all who bathe in her, so Tulasi Devi is purifying the three worlds.

        It is not possible to describe the full benefit of offering Tulasi Manjaris (flowers) to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, along with all the other demigods lives wherever there is Tulasi Devi. For this reason one should plant Tulasi Devi at one’s home and offer worship daily. One who sits near Tulasi Devi and chants or recites prayers will attain the results much faster.

        All forms of ghosts and demons run away from that place where Tulasi Devi is planted and all kinds of sinful reactions are destroyed when one comes close to Tulasi Devi. One who makes a garden of Tulasi plants gets the result of all charities and of one hundred fire sacrifices.

        One who puts into his mouth or on his head the Tulasi leaves after they have been offered to Lord Krishna attains the abode of Lord Krishna. In Kali-yuga, one who worships, performs kirtan in front of, remembers, plants or keeps Tulasi, burns up all his sinful reactions and attains Lord Krishna’s abode very quickly.

        One who preaches the glories of Tulasi Devi and also practices what he preaches, becomes very dear to Lord Krishna.

        One who worships Tulasi Devi has already satisfied his guru, the Brahmins, demigods, and all the Holy places.

        One who offers a Tulasi leaf to Lord Krishna becomes a Vaishnava very quickly. What is the need of understanding all the scriptures for one who has offered the wood or leaves of Tulasi Devi to Lord Krishna, for he will never have to taste the milk from the breast of a mother again (he will never take birth again).

        One who has worshipped Lord Krishna with the leaves of Tulasi Devi has already released all his ancestors from this realm of birth and death.

        My dear Kartikeya, I have told you many of the glories of Tulasi Devi. If I was to describe her glories for eternity I still would not be able to reach their conclusion.

        One who remembers or tells others these glorifications of Tulasi Devi will never take birth again.

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Tulsi belongs in the basil genus in the family Lamiaceae. It is an aromatic plant which is native throughout the Eastern World tropics and widespread as a cultivated plant and an escaped weed.The plant is an erect, much branched subshrub, 30–60 cm tall with hairy stems and simple, opposite, green leaves that are strongly scented. Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to 5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. The flowers are purplish in elongate racemes in close whorls.The two main morphotypes cultivated in India and Nepal are green-leaved and purple-leaved.

AYURVEDA

Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. It is mentioned in the Charaka Samhita,an ancient Ayurvedic text. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for adapting to stress. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life" and believed to promote longevity. It is an elixir for cough; the leaves when chewed after meals acts as a digestive, and when taken before and after cold water bath controls temperature in the stomach and prevents cold. If sprinkled over cooked food in stored water, tulsi leaves prevent bacterial growth.

NAMES

In Hindu mythology, Tulsi ("matchless") is known as Vaishnavi ("belonging to Vishnu"), Vishnu Vallabha ("beloved of Vishnu"),Haripriya("beloved of Vishnu"), Vishnu Tulsi. The Tulsi with green leaves is called Shri-Tulsi ("fortunate Tulsi"); also Shri is a synonym for Lakshmi, the principal consort of Vishnu. This variety is also known as Rama-Tulsi ("bright Tulsi"); Rama is also one of the principal avatars of Vishnu. The Tulsi with dark green or purple leaves and purple stem is called Shyama-Tulsi ("dark Tulsi") or Krishna-Tulsi ("dark Tulsi"); Krishna is also a prominent avatar of Tulsi. This variety is considered esspecially sacred to Krishna, as its purple colour is similar to Krishna's dark complexion.

WORSHIP

While tree worship is not uncommon in Hinduism, the Tulsi plant is regarded the holiest of all plants.The Tulsi plant is regarded as a threshold point between heaven and earth. A traditional prayer tells that the creator-godBrahma resides in its branches, all Hindu pilgrimage centres reside in its roots, the Ganges flows through its roots, all deities in its stem and its leaves and the Hindu scriptures - the Vedas in the upper part of its branches.It is considered as household god particularly referred as a "Women's deity". It is called as "the central sectarian symbol of Hinduism" and Vaishavas consider it as "the manifestation of god in the vegetable kingdom”.

The Tulsi plant is grown in or near almost every orthodox Hindu house, especially by Brahmins and Vaishnavas. A house with a Tulsi plant is sometimes considered a place of pilgrimage.^[16] Sacred places where they are grown are also known as Vrindavan (grove of Tulsi). Vrindavan is a raised cuboid stone or brick structure often in middle of the house's courtyard or in front of the house.

A person who waters and cares for the Tulsi daily is believed to gain moksha (salvation) and the divine grace of Vishnu, even if he does not worship it. Traditionally, the daily worship and care of the plant is the responsibility of the women of the household. The plant is regarded as a "women's deity" and a "symbol of ideal wifehood and motherhood". Though daily worship is prescribed, Tuesdays and Fridays are considered especially sacred for Tulsi worship. Rituals involve watering the plant, cleaning the area near the plant with water and cow dung (considered sacred) and making offerings of food, flowers, incense, Ganges water etc. Rangoli (decorative designs) of deities and saints are drawn near its foot. Devotees pray to Tulsi and circumbulate it,chanting mantras. The Tulsi plant is often worshipped twice in a day: in the morning and in the evening, when a lamp or candle is lit near the plant.

In the 19th century, some families in Bengal regarded the plant as their guardian or family deity. In a British Indian census, North-Western Provinces recorded themselves as Tulsi worshippers and not belonging to Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs.

FESTIVALS

A ceremony known as Tulsi Vivah is performed by the Hindus between Prabodhini Ekadashi (eleventh lunar day of the waxing moon of Kartika) to Kartik Poornima (full moon in Kartika), usually on the eleventh or the twelfth lunar day. It is the ceremonial wedding of the Tulsi plant to Vishnu, in the form of his image, Shaligram or a Krishna or Rama image. Both the bride and the groom are ritually worshipped and then married as per traditional Hindu wedding rituals. It marks the end of the four-month Chaturmas period, which corresponds to the monsoon and is considered inauspicious for weddings and other rituals, so the day inaugurates the annual marriage season in India.

In Orissa, on the first day of the Hindu month Vaishakha (April - May), a small vessel with hole at the bottom is filled with water and suspended over the Tulsi plant with a steady stream of water, for the entire month. In this period, when a hot summer reigns, one who offers cool water to Tulsi or an umbrella to shelter it from the intense heat is believed to be cleansed of all sin. The stream of water also conveys wishes for a good monsoon.

IN WORSHIP OF OTHER DIETIES

Tulsi is especially sacred in the worship of Vishnu and his forms Krishna and Vithoba and other related Vaishnava deities. Garlands made of 10000 tulsi leaves, water mixed with tulsi, food items sprinkled with Tulsi are offered in veneration to Vishnu or Krishna.

Vaishnavas traditionally use japa malas (a string of Hindu prayer beads) made from Tulsi stems or roots called Tulsi malas, which are an important symbol of the initiation. Tulsi malas are considered to be auspicious for the wearer, and believed to connect the him with Vishnu or Krishna and confer the protection of the deity. They are worn as a necklace or garland or held in the hand and used as a rosary. Tulsi's great connection with Vaishnavas is communicated with the fact that Vaishnavas are known as "those who bear the tulsi round the neck".^] Some pilgrims carry tulsi plants in their hands throughout their pilgrimage to Dwarka, the legendary capital of Krishna and one of the seven most sacred Hindu cities.

There are conflicting accounts about Tulsi leaves being used in the worship of the god Shiva, a rival sect (Shaiva) god to the Vaishnava Vishnu. While Bael leaves are often offered to Shiva, some authors note that Tulsi may also be offered to him. Tulsi worship is sometimes regarded the worship of Shiva, conveying the deity's omnipresence. Shiva's aniconic symbol - the linga - is sometimes prescribed to have made from the black soil from the roots of the Tulsi plant. However, Tulsi is taboo in worship of theDevi - the Hindu Divine Mother as the pungent aroma of the Tulsi plant angers her. It is also important for the worship of Hanuman. In Orissa, the Tulsi plant represents all local deities and rituals to propitiate them are offered in front of the plant. The Nayars of Malabar offer Tulsi plants to pacify evil spirits.

IMPORTANCE IN HINDUISM

Every part of the Tulsi plant is revered and considered sacred. Even the soil around the plant is holy. The Padma Purana declares a person who is cremated with Tulsi twigs in his funeral pyre gains moksha and a place in Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha. If a Tulsi stick is used to burn a lamp for Vishnu, it is like offering the gods lakhs of lamps. If one makes a paste of dried Tulsi wood(from a plant that died naturally) and smears it over his body and worships Vishnu, it is worth several ordinary pujas and lakhs of Godan (donation of cows). Water mixed with the Tulsi leaves is given to the dying to raise their departing souls to heaven.

Just as Tulsi respect is rewarding, her contempt attracts the wrath of Vishnu. Precautions are taken to avoid this. It is taboo to urinate, excrete or throw waste water near the plant. Uprooting and cutting branches of the plant is prohibited. When the plant withers, the dry plant is immersed in a water body with due religious rites as is the custom for broken divine images, which are unworthy for worship. Though Tulsi leaves are necessary for Hindu worship, there are strict rules for it. Only a male must cut them and only in the daylight. A prayer of forgiveness may also be offered to Tulsi before the act.

The word Tulsi is used in many place names and family names^.

With immense benefits right from clear skin to dissolving kidney stones, tulsi is tonic for the entire body. Here are the top 10 benefits of tulsi.

Cures a fever: Tulsi has very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties that are great for resolving fevers. It has the potential to cure any fever right from those caused due to common infections to those caused due to malaria as well. In ayurveda, it is strongly advised that a person suffering from fever should have a decoction made of tulsi leaves. In case of a fever boil a few leaves of tulsi with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water( The proportion of tulsi to cardamom powder should be in the ratio 1:0.3). Let it reduce to half its total volume. Mix this decoction with sugar and milk. Sip every two to three hours. This remedy is especially good for children.

Beats diabetes: leaves of holy basil are packed with antioxidants and essential oils that produce eugenol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene.  Collectively these substances help the pancreatic beta cells (cells that store and release insulin) 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.

Protects the heart: Tulsi has a powerful anti-oxidant component called Eugenol. This compound helps protect the heart by keeping one’s blood pressure under control and lowering his/her cholesterol levels. Chewing a few leaves of tulsi on an empty stomach everyday can both prevent and protect any heart ailments.

Beats stress: According to a study conducted by the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, tulsi helps to maintain the normal levels of the stress hormone – cortisol in the body.  The leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties (also known as anti-stress agents). It helps sooth the nerves, regulates blood circulation and beats free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress. People who have high stress jobs can chew about 12 leaves of tulsi twice a day to beat stress naturally.

Dissolves kidney stones: The holy basil being a great diuretic and detoxifier is great for the kidneys. Tulsi helps reduce the uric acid levels in the blood (one of the main reasons for kidney stones is the presence of excess uric acid in the blood), helps cleanse the kidneys, the presence of acetic acid and other components in its essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones and its painkiller effect helps dull down the pain of kidney stones. To relieve kidney stones one must have the juice of tulsi leaves with honey, every day for six months to help wash out the stone from the kidney.

Beats cancer: With strong anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties tulsi has been found to help stop the progression of breast cancer and oral cancer (caused due to chewing tobacco). This is because its compounds restrict the flow of blood to the tumour by attacking the blood vessels supplying it. Have the extract of tulsi every day to keep these conditions at bay.

Helps to quit smoking: Tulsi is known to have very strong anti- stress compounds and is great to help one quit smoking. It helps by lowering the stress that may be involved in trying to quit smoking, or stress that leads to the urge to smoke. It also has a cooling effect on the throat just like menthol drops and helps control the urge to smoke by allowing the person to chew on something. Ayurveda relies heavily on tulsi leaves as a smoking cessation device. Keep some leaves with you and chew it whenever the urge to smoke arises. Another plus is that the antioxidant property of the leaves will help fight all the damage that arises out of years of smoking.

Keeps your skin and hair healthy and glowing: The holy basil has powerful purifying properties. When eaten raw, it purifies the blood giving the skin a beautiful glow, and prevents the appearance of acne and blemishes. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are very effective in preventing breakouts on acne prone skin. Ayurvedic doctors say that this herb can cure difficult skin conditions like those caused due to ring worms and even leucoderma. Apart from all this, it helps in reducing itchiness of the scalp and helps to reduce hair fall. Mix the powder in coconut oil and apply regularly to the scalp to prevent hair fall. Eating tulsi leaves, drinking the juice, or adding its paste to a face pack can help cure skin and hair conditions.

Heals respiratory conditions: Tulsi has immunomodulatory (helps to modulate the immune system), antitussive (suppresses the cough center, reducing the amount of cough) and expectorant properties (helps expel phlegm from the chest), that make it a great relief for coughs, cold, and other respiratory disorders including chronic and acute bronchitis. Another great property of this leaf is that it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help to beat the infection causing the respiratory problem. It also relieves congestion since it contains potent components like camphene, eugenol and cineole in its essential oils. Its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties also help to treat allergic respiratory disorders.

Cures a headache: Tulsi helps to relieve headaches caused due to sinusitis, allergies, cold or even migraines. This is because it has pain relieving and decongestant properties,  that help relieve the pain and resolve the root cause of the condition. If you are suffering from a headache, make a bowl of water that has been boiled with crushed tulsi leaves or tulsi extract. Cool the water till it is room temperature or bearably hot. Place a small towel in it, wring out the excess water and place this on your forehead to treat a headache. Alternatively you could dip a towel in plain warm water and add a few drops of tulsi extract to the towel for immediate relief. 

These are just some benefits of the plant, other benefits include treatment for common colds, itchiness of the skin, treatment for insect bites, curing common conditions of the eye and as a herbal remedy for bad breath. So the text time you feel ill, try having a few leaves of tulsi. To know more about the health benefits of various everyday ingredients, check out our natural remedies page.

other relevant informations about tulsi in ayurvedic pharmacoepia

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Ocimum
Species:	O. tenuiflorum

SANSKRIT : MANJARI, KRUSHNATULASI, SURASA, GRAMYA, SURABHI, BAHUMANJARI, BHOOTAGHNI, DEVADUNDHUBHI

HINDI : TULSI

GUJARATHI : TULSI

BENGALI : TULASI

TAMIL : TULACHI

TELUGU : TULUCHI

ENGLISH : HOLY BASIL, SACRED BASIL

Uses :

In jwara, hrudroga, swas, kasa tulsi gives relief. It is ruchi prada. For scorpion stings, spider poisoning, snake bites tulsi is used as an anti dote. It is used for krimis. It is vata hara. It increases mutra. It is good for twak roga.

Therapeutic uses of Tulsi :

-in small pox and chicken pox 10ml of juice of tulsi and equal amount of honey three times daily gives relief

-5ml of tulsi juice thrice daily if taken for three days gives benefit for jeerna jwara, jeerna kasa

-for insect bites, tulsi leaves, flowers, turmeric, punarnnava all made into a paste when applied over it gives relief

-the same paste if taken 6gms thrice daily for 7 days cures poison

-for jaundice, malaria, IBS, one tbsp of juice of tulsi morning and evening gives relief

-dried leaves of tulsi is used for powder inhalation in pinasa, nasal blockage

-tulsi juice and turmeric made into paste applied over spider bite

-tulsi when placed below pillow while sleeping gets rid of lice, placing it over hair is also beneficial

-neelethulasyadi kashayam, sheetajwaradi kashayam, vilwadi gulika, manasa mitra vatakam contains tulasi

RASA : KASHAYA, KATU, TIKTA

GUNA : LAGHU, ROOKSHA

VIRYA : USHNA

VIPAKA : KATU

( reference : wikipedia, internet, nesamai ayurvedic med plants )