Tulsi – तुलसी
It is an erect, perennial, hairy, aromatic herb or sub-shrub.
The stem is quadrangular, purplish, branched, woody in lower parts
and covered in hairs.
The leaves are simple, opposite, hairy, elliptic to ovate-oblong in
shape with an entire or rounded teethed margin. The leaf contains
fragrant essential oil which can be smelled on crushing it.
The flowers are arranged on verticillaster inflorescence, wherein
flowers are arranged in sessile cymes that are arranged in whorls.
Flowers are surrounded by green, ciliate bracts. The flowers are
small, purple or white in color. The petals are fused and bi-lipped.
The fruits are small, smooth four nutlets that are brown in color,
broadly ellipsoid and with seeds that turns mucilaginous, swollen on
wetting.
BOTANICAL NAME
Ocimum tenuiflorum L
FAMILY
Lamiaceae
FLOWERING
September – March
FRUITING
September – March
PROPAGATION
It can be propagated by seeds and stem cuttings
PLANT PART USED
Leaves, Twigs
COMMON NAMES:
Holy Basil, Sacred Basil;
Hindi: Tulsi, Vishnupriya, Vishnu Thulasi;
Marathi: Tulshi;
Malayalam: Trittavu;
Manipuri: Tulsi;
Tamil: Nalla Thulasi.
USES
The plant is a sacred plant of India and worshiped by many. It is often
cultivated in gardens, temples, houses and courtyards.
It is used as a spice and to flavor certain dishes and tea.
It has insect repellent properties.
It is also highly medicinal and used in many systems of medicine.
The leaves can be eaten raw and is good for throat.
It is used to treat cough, cold, congestion, bronchitis, expectorant,
pneumonia and malarial fevers.
It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, cardio-
protective and anti-diabetic properties.
It reduces the blood sugar level and helps fight diabetes.
It helps in reducing stress and helps with anxiety.
It improves digestion and aids in losing weight.
It promotes heart health.
