The Tulsi |
Tulsi whose botanical name is Ocimum Sanctum Linn belonging to family Labiatae. Some of the chapters of Brahma Vaivarta Purana depicts a beautiful story between lord Vishnu and a virtuous lady Tulsi where she was accused of being unchaste by the Lord and the lady inturn cursed him by turning the Lord to a stone. Later as a mark of repentance and praying for mercy the Lord took Tulsi on his head. Tulsi has multiple benefits and this might be the reason behind for using tulsi leaf during the worship of Narayana. Tulsi has no comparison. The Brahma vaivarta Purana draws a similarity between Narayan or Vishnu and Tulsi as two living entities. Each cursing the other for which Vishnu is turned to stone and Tulsi to a plant. Interestingly the purana further states that both the stone or " sheila " and the tree are found near river Gond which is still existing in the northern India. However this is an anecdote found in the Purana. This is truely a life saving plant. The juice not only acts as an antidote even during snake bite if applied in due time by preventing the spread of the snake poison it also prevents the spreading of infection due to puss formation. It is believed in India that cultivating Tulsi plant inside the home prevents viral infection. One sloka in the " Upavarhan " Samhita of the Atharva Veda " Suvoga kita samchedi antamargang bishodhoyeth " tells us that suvoga itself means Tulsi and when anybody takes tulsi juice it helps to drive out cough and blood related ailments. During the golden period of ayurveda we find the mention of " Surasa " in Charak samhita which is another name of Tulsi the botanical name of which is Ocimum sanctum Linn mentioned earlier. There are four forms or types of Tulsi which helps in containing diseases like cough, cold, worms, loss of appetite, breathing diffilculties and pimples etc but without any specific reference to any particular type. The four types are 1) Baboui Tulsi Ocimum basilicum Linn. (2) Ram Tulsi Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (3) Bon Tulsi Ocimum americanum Linn. (4) Karpur (Camphor) Tulsi Ocimum kilimandscharicum Guerke. This is a camphour producing tulsi and it is believed to have been found in the Kilimanjaro mountains of Africa in during the ancient times. Usefulness of the Tulsi:- (1) There has been a strong belief and particularly in Bengal from earlier days that Tulsi is anti bacterial. So during solar or lunar eclipses tulsi leaves are placed on food items to prevent bacterial infections. After death Tulsi leaves are placed over the eyelids of the dead to prevent further spread of infections as a custom. (2) Children those who frequently suffer from cold and cough five to ten drops of tulsi juice mixed with two to five drops of honey is an extremely good remedy and more over its very effective during constipation also. (3) Tulsi juice mixed with ginger acts as very good remedy particularly against feaver which according to ayurveda prevents the very cause of it. (4) For those who are affected by early aging of both the body and mind an half inch of tulsi root taken with betel leaf in the morning and evening acts as an excellant stimulant. (5) During nettle - rash or urticaria the Tulsi leaves mixed with raw turmeric and sugarcane jaggery acts a good antidote. It is also believed that it also helps in reducing blood sugar level. (6) Tulsi seeds when dipped in water gets slippery after a while and if the same liquid is taken with a little sugar it becomes a good remedy for urine related troubles viz burning sensation or related pain. (7) The Tulsi juice extract is a good remedy for removal of the patches formed due to chicken pox or measles when applied over the skin regularly untill its cured. (8) When there is a complete blockage of the nasal passage due to phlegm snuff prepared from the dry leaves of Tulsi acts as a good antidote. (9) To keep onself free from diseases Tulsi leaves dipped in warm water is taken by many just like tea early in the morning. Chemical Composition:- (a) Phenolic constituents viz. eugenol, methyl eugenol, carvacrol, traces of phenol. (b) Terpenoids viz. caryophyllene, citral, citronellal, citronellol. (c) Camphor. (d) traces of acetic acid.