MEDICINAL PLANTS OF INDIA: TULSI: The Queen of Herbs & Its Legacy

Rama Tulsi or Sri Tulsi

Tulsi or holy basil is a revered medicinal herb in India. Its aromatic leaves are part of traditional herbal practices in the entire Indian subcontinent, where it is often used in teas and culinary dishes to impart a distinctive taste and to support overall wellness. Botanically known as Ocimum tenuiflorum (previously known as Ocimum sanctum), it belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is considered a symbol of purity and devotion in Hinduism and is also an essential part of many sacred traditions. It is considered an earthly manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi and is worshipped. It is often hailed as the "Queen of Herbs" due to its extensive medicinal, spiritual, religious, and culinary applications. Sometimes, it is also referred to as "Mother Medicine of Nature". It is widely used in traditional medicine systems of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, besides extensive use in Indian folk medicine. Two cultivars commonly found growing in India are Rama, Lakshmi or Sri Tulsi (green leaves) and Krishna or Shyama Tulsi (purplish leaves).

Shyama Tulsi or Krishna Tulsi

NAMES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English: Holy basil, Indian basil, Sacred basil, Monks’ basil, Purple-stalked basil

Hindi: Tulsi, Barinda, Varada

Punjabi: Tulsi

Sanskrit: Tulasi (matchless), Ajaka, Arjaka, Bharati, Divya, Brinda, Manjari, Parnasa, Patrapushpa, Suvasa Tulsi, Gouri, Nagamata, Bhutaghni, Bhutapriya, Bhuteshta, Bhutapati, Apetarakshasi, Gramya (found in every household), Surasa (having good taste), Sulaghni, Subhaga, Sulabha (auspicious), Surabhi, Svadu gandha (having good scent), Sumanjari, Bahumanjari, Pavani, Devadundubhi, Visnuvallabha (beloved of Lord Vishnu), Haripriya (beloved to Lord Vishnu), Vaishnavi

Bengali: Jiuli, Jiyal, Kalotulsi, Krishna Tulasi

Gujarati: Tulasi

Kannada: Sritulasi, Tulasi-gidda, Vishnu-tulasi

Malayalam: Thulasi, Krishnathulasi, Karimthulasi, Kunnakam, Nallatulluva tulasi, Shiva-tulasi, Tritavvu

Marathi: Tulasi, Tulasa, Kala-tulasi, Tulshi, Chajadha

Tamil: Thulasi, Karimthulasi, Nalla-thulsi, Alungai, Karuntulasi, Kuli mitan

Telugu: Tulasi, Brinda, Brynda, Gaggera, Gaggerachettu, Gumpina, Krushnatulasi, Oddhi

Urdu: Tulsi

SOURCE: Different books and research papers

DISTRIBUTION

Native to the Indian subcontinent and other Southeast Asian nations, holy basil can reach elevations of up to 1800 meters above mean sea level. Because of its utility, it has also been introduced to numerous other tropical and subtropical nations worldwide.

Flowers

MORPHOLOGY

Holy basil is an upright subshrub growing to a height of up to 60 cm. Two cultivars commonly occur in India; the one with green leaves is called Rama Tulsi, and the other with purplish leaves is known as Shyama or Krishna Tulsi. Stem is branched, woody below and herbaceous above; young branches are hairy. Leaves are highly aromatic, opposite, simple, up to 5 cm long, ovate, glandular, pilose on veins, base rounded, leaf margin shallowly undulate-serrate, apex obtuse. Flowers are arranged in 3-6-flowered verticillasters, which in turn form racemes. Flowers are small, pale to purple to reddish in colour. Calyx is campanulate, villous and greenish or purplish in colour. Corolla is white to reddish or even purplish in colour, sparsely puberulent, tubular, tube dilated at the throat. Stamens are slightly exserted, green to purplish in colour. Fruit is a brown nutlet.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Holy basil contains a large number of phytochemicals such as essential oils (eugenol (phenylpropenic compound; 60–70% of the oil content), methyl eugenol, borneol, citral, camphene), flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, vitexin, orientin, vicenin), phenolic compounds (rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid), terpenoids (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, β-caryophyllene, 4,5-epoxy-caryophyllene)) and sterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol). However, major bioactive medicinal compounds are eugenol (phenolic compound), ursolic acid (triterpenoid), rosmarinic acid (polyphenol), linalool (terpene alcohol), carvacrol (monoterpenoid), caryophyllene (sesquiterpene), apigenin (flavonoid), luteolin (flavonoid), and orientin (flavonoid C-glycoside).

Rama Tulsi or Sri Tulsi

I. MEDICINAL USES

1. Boosts Immunity

Holy basil is considered one of the best immunity-boosting plants in the world. Long-term traditional use and modern research support its role as a holistic agent for enhancing both innate and adaptive immunity. Its effectiveness is attributed to the presence of highly bioactive compounds, including eugenol, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid. Key mechanisms for boosting the immunity include stimulating the immune cell activity (increasing the number and activity of T-helper cells, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and neutrophils) and enhancing the antibody production (B-cell differentiation and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM) production).

2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), etc., have become quite common these days. Holy basil exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory activity in many experimental studies. Many phytochemicals, such as eugenol, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, are reported to exert their anti-inflammatory effect by blocking cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism involved in bodily inflammations.

3. Antioxidant Properties

Free radicals are involved in inducing oxidative stress in all living organisms. Oxidative stress is linked with the ageing process, heart disease, and cancer. Many plant species have been reported to reduce the damage caused by free radicals in the body organs. The phytochemicals like eugenol, flavonoids, and phenolic acids present in holy basil have strong antioxidant properties, which help to neutralise the free radicals and prevent cellular oxidative damage.

4. Adaptogenic (Stress-Reducing) Effect

Holy basil is considered one of the best adaptogens of plant origin. It helps the body adapt to stress by reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone), reducing HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal)-axis activity, and lowering stress markers like salivary amylase. Holy basil tea helps in managing stress, anxiety, and depression by positively regulating neurotransmitter activity, boosting resilience, and improving sleep.

5. Antiviral Activity

Holy basil has been reported to exhibit a potent antiviral effect on human viruses like Herpes simplex virus, Hepatitis B virus, Adenovirus, H9N2 virus, and Avian influenza virus in experimental studies. Eugenol, an essential oil present in holy basil and some other plants such as clove, is reported to inhibit the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 and receptor ACE2 and can protect against COVID-19.

6. Antibacterial Activity

Holy basil has been reported to exhibit potential antibacterial activity against a Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and a Gram-negative bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica.

7. Anti-Fungal Activity

Holy basil essential oils have been reported to exhibit an anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans, a causal organism of thrush (oral/vaginal) and other life-threatening systemic infections (candidemia) in immunocompromised patients. Essential oils were also found to be effective against Candida tropicalis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. verrucosum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum.

8. Good for Respiratory Health

Holy basil is beneficial for respiratory health, and it has been traditionally used to treat conditions related to the lungs. It is a good bronchodilator and expectorant, and thus helps open the airways and improve airflow to the lungs. Therefore, it is beneficial for conditions like asthma, cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis. Holy basil is a good remedy for conditions like sinusitis and allergic rhinitis due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties.

9. Analgesic Properties

Experimental studies have shown that holy basil has analgesic properties similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is probably due to inhibition of COX (cyclooxygenase) activity and inhibition of the release of other endogenous pain mediators.

10. Good for Cardiovascular Health

Holy basil is also good for heart health in numerous ways and is considered useful for maintaining cardiovascular well-being. Experimental studies suggest that it may help lower high blood pressure (hypertension) by improving blood circulation and reducing stress levels. It is also reported to decrease the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing good cholesterol (HDL) and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. By managing cholesterol and inflammation, holy basil helps prevent plaque formation in arteries, reducing risk of heart attacks and strokes. Eugenol prevents the formation of blood clots.

11. Anti-Diabetic Properties

Holy basil has been traditionally used as a remedy for managing diabetes and high blood sugar. It is reported to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels. Its antioxidant properties help mitigate oxidative stress caused by diabetes and thus prevent damage to the kidneys, eyes, and heart. Ursolic acid is a bioactive compound responsible for managing blood sugar levels.

12. Good for Digestive Health

Holy basil is beneficial for the digestive system and is used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion, flatulence, bloating, and constipation.

13. Useful in Skin Problems

Holy basil is considered useful in treating a variety of skin problems such as acne, pimples, infections, dandruff and ageing due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

14. Hepatoprotective Properties

Holy basil is believed to support liver health by helping the body eliminate toxins and waste products. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds may protect liver cells from oxidative stress caused by environmental toxins, alcohol exposure, and certain medications, as shown in experimental animals.

15. Prevention of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Leaf extract of holy basil is considered to enhance memory and cognitive function, improve mood, and focus. It is also reported to be useful in preventing age-related neurodegenerative changes.

16. Anticancer Properties

Experimental studies with cancer cell lines have shown that holy basil extract can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) and stop the multiple molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Ursolic acid and apigenin present in leaf extract are reported to be bioactive phytochemicals with antitumour and anticancer properties.

Krishna Tulsi

II. CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

The holy basil plant is cultivated in the courtyards of homes and temples across India in a four-sided raised structure. It is worshipped with mantras and offerings of flowers, incense, and water on a daily basis. Holy basil is revered in Hinduism as a manifestation of the goddess Lakshmi (Tulsi Devi; Goddess of Wealth) and is believed to attract peace, prosperity, and divine energy into the homes. It is considered sacred by the Vaishnavites (devotees of Vishnu), who associate Rama Tulsi with Maryada Purushottam Lord Rama (7^th Avatar) and Shyama Tulsi with Lord Krishna (Purna Avatar, 8^th Avatar). Tulsi Japa mala (rosaries) of holy basil are considered sacred and used by devotees to recite prayers and to wear around the neck. Water infused with the leaves of holy basil is poured into the mouth of dying persons with the hope that the deceased may obtain moksha.

Tulsi Japa Mala (Rosary)

According to the Shiva Purana, Tulsi is believed to be the earthly form of Goddess Vrinda, devoted wife of Asura Jalandhara and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. As Lord Shiva killed her husband to preserve the worldly order, she denounced Lord Shiva and cursed him that no part of Tulsi would be used in Shiva's worship.

Tulsi Vivah is a sacred ritual in Hinduism wherein holy basil is ceremonially wedded to Shaligram or Amla branch, personifications of Lord Vishnu.

Despite its purity and sacredness, holy basil leaves are not offered to Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha (Shiv Parivar).

Details on the sacred, cultural, and spiritual aspects of holy basil can be accessed in a book, SACRED AND RITUAL PLANTS OF INDIA: Lore, Symbolism, Traditions authored by a renowned scientist, Dr. P.N. Ravindran.

III. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Holy basil does not serve only religious purposes, but it has air-purifying properties as well. It can absorb the air pollutants and can also make the air free of disease-causing viruses in the air. Essential oils (specifically eugenol), which escape into the surrounding air around homes, repel insects, including mosquitoes, contributing to a safe living environment. Thousands of holy basil saplings were planted by the UP Forest Department and Organic India around the Taj Mahal in 2008-2009 to combat air pollution and to prevent yellowing and deterioration of marble.

CAUTION

Holy basil is generally regarded as safe if used in moderate doses. Studies on animal models have shown that oral use in quantities of more than 2000mg/kg body weight causes oral toxicity.

OTHER BASILS CULTIVATED IN INDIA