Ban Tulsi - बन तुलसी
It is an erect, perennial, tall subshrub or shrub.
The stem is quadrangular, branched, woody in lower parts, younger
parts covered in hair while older parts are smooth.
The leaves are simple, opposite, ovate to elliptic in shape with an
acute tip, wedge-shaped base and a toothed margin. The leaf
contains fragrant essential oil which can be smelled on crushing it.
The flowers are arranged on hairy verticillaster inflorescence,
wherein flowers are arranged in sessile cymes that are arranged in
whorls. Flowers are surrounded by green bracts. The flowers are
small, greenish yellow or greenish white in color. The petals are
fused and bi-lipped. Stamens are white and anthers are yellow in
color.
The fruits are small, smooth four nutlets that are almost spherical.
BOTANICAL NAME
Ocimum gratissimum L
FAMILY
Lamiaceae
FLOWERING
July – October
FRUITING
July – October
PROPAGATION
It can be propagated by seeds and stem cuttings
PLANT PART USED
Leaves, Twigs
COMMON NAMES:
COMMON NAMES:
Wild Basil, African Basil, Clove Basil, Shrubby Basil, Tree Basil;
Hindi: Ban Tulsi;
Marathi: Ajavala, Ramatulasi, Tanatulasu;
Sanskrit: Ajaka, Ajeka, Bilvaparni, Doshakleshi;
Tamil: Elumichantulasi, Peruntulasi, Elumiccam Tulaci;
Telugu: Nimma-Tulasi, Nimmatulasi.
USES
The plant is highly medicinal.
It is considered a stimulant, diuretic, digestive and demulcent.
It is used to treat cough, cold and congestion in combination with
expectorant.
The seeds are used to treat dysentery, headaches and urinary
disorders.
It is used as a general tonic.
It has anti-cancerous properties.
It improves heart function, reduces bad cholesterol and increases
blood circulation.
It has wound healing activity.
It promotes oral hygiene.
It is a mosquito and insect repellent.
