Tulasi

Tulasi is commonly known as Holy basil. The plant have numerous medicinal properties and is used in alleviating many diseases hence the name given. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Tulasi in conditions involving the vitiation of Kapha and Vata doshas as it alleviates these doshas. The herb is used to treat conditions like Chronic fever, Cough, Urticaria etc. Tulasi is also used as an Antiinflammatory , Antibacterial and Anticancer agent etc as it contains Phytoconstituents like ascorbic acid , carotene, camphere etc.

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Ocimum sanctum             

Family :  Lamiaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Leaves

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Swasahara varga (Alleviate Asthma)

Susruta Samhita – Surasadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Antiinflammatory 
• Antibacterial 
• Antiviral
• Antipyretic 

 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Dipana (Carminative)
• Swasahara (Anti asthmatic)
• Jwarahara (Antipyretic )
• Pacana (Digestive)

Therapeutic indications

• Cough (Kasa)- Juice of Tulasi is taken along with honey to alleviate Cough
• Malarial fever (Vishama jwara)- Juice of Tulasi is taken with pepper powder to alleviate Malarial fever

Dosage

Juice (Swarasa) – 10 ml 

Powder – 2 g

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Surasadi kashaya
• Hingusauvarcala ghrtha
• Agurvadya taila

Morphology :

A perennial herb with aromatic smell. Leaves are ovate. Inflorescence is verticillaster. Fruits are schizocarps. Flowers are purple.

Vernacular names of Tulasi 

English – Holy basil

Hindi- Tulsi

Malayalam – Tulasi

Sanskrit - Tulasi 

Synonyms 

• Gramya
• Sulabha
• Surasa 

 

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa- Tikta (Bitter)

Guna-  Ruksa (Dry)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid ) 

Virya- Ushna (hot )

तुलसी कटुका तिक्ता हृद्योष्णा दाहपित्तकृत् ।

दीपनी कुष्ठकृच्छ्रास्त्रपाशार्वरूक्कफवातजित् ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Pushpa varga-shloka 63)

   Tulasi alleviate Vata Kapha doshas because of its properties like hot potency and Acrid taste. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr.Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Tulasi to treat numerous diseases including Malarial fever and Cough and also conducts researches on the herb to prepare new combinations of medicines to cure diseases effectively. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Tulasi Juice ?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Tulasi Swarasa can be used to treat Fever and Cough.

2. What is the Dosage of Tulasi powder?

         Tulasi powder can be taken at a dose of 1-3 g internally.