Ocimum tenuifolium (known as Holy basil in English, and Tulasi in Sanskrit), is a well known aromatic plant in the family Lamiaceae. Apart from its culinary uses, for which it is known across the world, it is also used as a medicinal plant, and has an important role within many traditions of Hinduism, wherein devotees perform worship involving Tulasi plants or leaves. Native to India, it is a short lived perennial herb or small shrub, often grown as an annual. The foliage is green or purple, strongly scented. Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to 5cm long, usually somewhat toothed. Flowers are white, tinged purple, borne in racemes. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... Genera Many, see text Ref: Delta 2002-07-22 Lamiaceae, or the Mint family, is a family of plants in about 180 genera and some 3,500 species. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Look up Perennial in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A broom shrub in flower A shrub or bush is a horticultural rather than strictly botanical category of woody plant, distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and lower height, usually less than 6 m tall. ... Annual, from the Latin annuum, or year means pertaining to a year or happening every year. ... This inflorescence of the terrestrial orchid Spathoglottis plicata is a typical raceme. ...

Its aroma is distinctively different from its close cousin, the Thai Basil which is sometimes wrongly called Holy Basil, in shops and on the internet, but they can be distinguished by their aroma and flavour. Holy Basil is slightly hairy, whereas Thai Basil is smooth and hairless; Holy Basil does not have the strong aniseed or licorice smell of Thai Basil^[1]; and Holy Basil has a spicy flavor sometimes compared to cloves.^[2] Thai Basil is a cultivar of basil and is a major ingredient in many Thai dishes. ... Species Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa Glycyrrhiza aspera Glycyrrhiza astragalina Glycyrrhiza bucharica Glycyrrhiza echinata Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa Glycyrrhiza foetida Glycyrrhiza glabra Glycyrrhiza iconica Glycyrrhiza korshinskyi Glycyrrhiza lepidota Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Glycyrrhiza triphylla Glycyrrhiza uralensis Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis Ref: ILDIS Version 6. ... External links Wikibooks Cookbook has more about this subject: Spice Food Bacteria-Spice Survey Shows Why Some Cultures Like It Hot Citat: ...Garlic, onion, allspice and oregano, for example, were found to be the best all-around bacteria killers (they kill everything). ... This article is about spices, the word clove is also used to describe a segment of a head of garlic and a clove hitch is a useful kind of knot. ...

Sacred basil or Tulasi

Known as Tulasi (alternate spelling Tulsi) in India it is an important symbol in many Hindu religious traditions which link the plant with the Goddess figure described in the Puranas. The name "Tulasi" in sanskrit means "the incomparable one"^[3]. The Tulasi plant is known in India in two forms - dark or Shyama (Krishna) Tulasi and light or Rama Tulasi. The former possesses greater medicinal value and is commonly used for worship. A Hindu ( , Devanagari: हिन्दु), as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, and the religious, philosophical and cultural system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Purana (Sanskrit: , meaning tales of ancient times) is the name of an ancient Indian genre (or a group of related genres) of Hindu or Jain literature (as distinct from oral tradition). ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... Balarama, next to the river Yamuna. ...

Tulasi has also been known for thousands of years as a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment, for its diverse healing properties. It is mentioned by Charaka in the Charaka Samhita, the central teaching of Ayurvedic medicine, and in the Rigveda. Tulasi is considered to be an adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for adapting to stress. ^[4] Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it is regarded as a kind of "elixir of life" and believed to promote longevity. Ayurveda (आयुर्वेद Sanskrit: ayu—life; veda—knowledge of) or ayurvedic medicine is a more than 2,000 year old comprehensive system of medicine based on a holistic approach rooted in Vedic culture. ... For a village in Greece, see Charaka (Laconia), Greece Charaka, sometimes spelled Caraka, (perhaps 1st or 2nd century) is one of the founders of Ayurveda. ... The Rigveda (Sanskrit: , a tatpurusha compound of praise, verse and knowledge) is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns dedicated to the gods. ... The word adaptogen is used by herbalists to refer to a natural herb product that increases the bodys resistance to stresses such as trauma, anxiety and bodily fatigue. ... i suck A bottle of tannic acid, an astringent Astringent medicines cause shrinkage of mucous membranes or exposed tissues and are often used internally to check discharge of blood serum or mucous secretions. ...

Tulasi as an Ayurvedic medicine

Tulasi, as used in Ayurveda.

Tulasi’s extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria. Traditionally, tulasi is taken in many forms: as an herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted from Karpoora Tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal toiletry. For centuries, the dried leaves of Tulasi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (540x644, 102 KB) Photograph taken of Tulsi (Holy Basil) by myself in Aug 2006 I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (540x644, 102 KB) Photograph taken of Tulsi (Holy Basil) by myself in Aug 2006 I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Ghee in a jar Wikibooks Cookbook has an article on Ghee Ghee (Hindi घी from Sanskrit ghá¹›ta घृत sprinkled ) is a type of clarified butter important in Indian cuisine. ...

Recent studies suggest that Tulasi may be a COX-2 inhibitor, like many modern painkillers, due to its significant amount of Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene).^[5][6] Studies have also shown Tulsi to be effective for diabetes, by reducing blood glucose levels.^[7] The same study showed significant reduction in total cholesterol levels with Tulsi. Another study showed that Tulsi's beneficial effect on blood glucose levels is due to its antioxidant properties.^[8] Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme that is responsible for formation of important biological mediators called prostanoids (including prostaglandins, prostacyclin and thromboxane). ... For other uses of painkiller, see painkiller (disambiguation) An analgesic (colloquially known as painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain. ...

Tulasi also shows some promise for protection from radiation poisoning^[9] and cataracts.^[10] Some Vaishnavites do not use Tulasi for medicine, though, out of reverence. However, the use of Tulsi for purification and as a medicine is widespread throughout India. Many Hindus — along with the ancient tradition of Ayurveda — believe that the healing properties of sacred herbs such as Tulsi were given by the Lord himself, and can be used as a medicine out of reverence. Vaishnavites are followers of Vaishnavism in which Vishnu or His avatars are worshipped as the supreme God. ...

Tulasi in scripture

Tulasi with wooden Katte stand.

A number of passages in the Puranas and other scriptures (Vedas), point to the importance of tulsi within religious worship. Tulasi is regarded as a goddess (Lakshmi) and a consort of Vishnu. A garland of tulasi leaves is the first offering to the Lord as part of the daily ritual. Tulsi is accorded the sixth place among the eight objects of worship in the ritual of the consecration of the kalasha, the container of holy water. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1932 × 2576 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1932 × 2576 pixel, file size: 1. ... The Puranas are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss devotion and mythology. ... The Vedas (Sanskrit: वेद) are a large corpus of texts originating in Ancient India. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ...

According to one story, Tulasi was a gopi who fell in love with Krishna and so had a curse laid on her by His consort Radha. She is very dear to Vishnu. Tulsi is also mentioned in the stories of Mira and Radha immortalised in Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. One story has it that when Krishna was weighed in gold, not even all the ornaments of His consort Satyabhama could outweigh Him. But a single tulsi leaf placed on one side by his consort Rukmini tilted the scale. Gopis as depicted in portrait at the Smithsonian Institute Gopi is a word of Sanskrit (गोपी) origin meaning cow-herd girl. In Hinduism specifically the name gopi (sometimes gopika) is used more commonly to refer to the group of cow herding girls famous within Vaishnava Theology for their unconditional devotion (bhakti... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... A Rajastani style painting of Sri Radha Radha (Devanagari: राधा) is a famous female personality from Hindu, (Vedic) tradition, also known as Radharani, prefixed with the respectful term Srimati by devout followers. ... Jayadeva is considered one of the greatest Sanskrit poets of all times. ... The Gita Govinda or the Song of the Shri Krishna is a work composed in the 12th century by Jayadeva Goswami. ... Satyabhama is the beloved third wife of Hinduisms Lord Krishna, known for her strong will and tantrums. ... In Hinduism, Srimati Rukmini was the first wife and queen of Krishna, the 8th avatar of Vishnu. ...

Tulsi is ceremonially married to Vishnu annually on the eleventh bright day of the month of Kaartika in the lunisolar calendar. This festival continues for five days and concludes on the full moon day, which falls in mid-October. This ritual, called the "Tulsi Vivaha", inaugurates the annual marriage season in India. Kaartika (Hindi: कातिक kaatik or कार्तिक kaartik) is a month of the Hindu calendar. ... A lunisolar calendar is a calendar whose date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. ...

In the Christian tradition it is said that Tulsi grew around the place of Crucifixion. Tulasi is also mentioned in Shiite writings. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      A Christian () is a person who... Crucifixion is an ancient method of execution, where the condemned is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead. ... Shi‘as (the adjective in Arabic is شيعى shi‘i; English has traditionally used Shiite) which mean follower in Arabic make up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%-35% of all Muslim. ...

Quotes regarding Tulasi

• "As by chanting the name of Ganges, one becomes free from all kinds of worldly sins, if someone chants the name of Tulasi or chants the glories of Lord Hari with devotion, he gets the same merit." - From the Brhan Naradiya Purana

• "Just by touching Tulsidevi one's body becomes pure. By praying to her, all diseases practically become removed. If one waters her or makes her wet, the fear of Yamaraja (death personified) is destroyed." - From the Skanda Purana

• "Tulasi is most beloved of Lord Krishna and thus her leaves and flowers are also most dear to Him." - Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

• "Tulasi leaf is very, very dear to Vishnu." - A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

“Ganga” redirects here. ... Hari (Sanskrit: हरि) is another name of Vishnu or God in Vaishnavism, Smarta or Advaitan Hinduism, and appears as the 650th name in the Vishnu sahasranama. ... The Puranas are part of Hindu Smriti; these religious scriptures discuss devotion and mythology. ... This article is about the deity Yama in Hinduism. ... Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, founder-acharya of the Gaudiya Math Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada (1874-1937), the well-known preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, was born Bimal Prasad Dutta in the seaside pilgrimage town of Jagannath Puri, Orissa, India. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions. ... A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (September 1, 1896–November 14, 1977) was born Abhay Charan De, in Kolkata, West Bengal. ...

Tulasi as a deity

Tulsi as worshiped in deity form.

The presence of a Tulsi plant symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu family. In many traditions (i.e Vaishnavism), a household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a Tulasi plant. Many families have the Tulasi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for small earthen oil lamp. Some households can even have up to a dozen Tulasi plants on the verandah or in the garden forming a "Tulsi-van" or "Tulsivrindavan" — a miniature basil forest. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 429 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (573 × 800 pixel, file size: 205 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph taken of Vrindadevi (Tulsi) deity for use in Tulsi article. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 429 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (573 × 800 pixel, file size: 205 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photograph taken of Vrindadevi (Tulsi) deity for use in Tulsi article. ... Temple dedicated to the worship of Vishnu as Venkateswara. ... Alcove (through the Spanish, alcova, from the Arabic, al-, the, and quobbah, a vault) is an architectural term for a recess in a room, usually screened off by pillars, balustrade or drapery. ... A verandah is a large balcony on the level of a ground floor. ... A forest is an area with a high density of trees (or, historically, a wooded area set aside for hunting). ...

Places that tend to inspire concentration and places ideal for worship, according to the Gandharva tantra, include "grounds overgrown with Tulsi plants". The Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi is one such famous temple, where Tulasi is worshipped along with other devas (demi-gods/goddesses). Vaishnavites, or followers of Vishnu, revere the Tulasi leaf because it pleases Vishnu the most and thus is as an inherent part of offerings of naivedya. They also wear beaded necklaces made of Tulasi stems. The manufacture of these Tulasi necklaces is a cottage industry in places of pilgrimage and temple towns. Another name for Tulsi within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition is Vrindadevi, meaning 'the goddess of Vrindavan'. // In Hinduism, the Gandharvas (Sanskrit: गंधर्व, gandharva) are male nature spirits, husbands of the Apsarases. ... It has been suggested that Tantras be merged into this article or section. ... , VārāasÄ« ( , Hindi: , IPA: ), also known as Benares, Banaras, or Benaras ( , Hindi: , , IPA: ), or Kashi or Kasi ( , Hindi: , ), is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... It has been suggested that Deva (tribe) be merged into this article or section. ... Temple dedicated to the worship of Vishnu as Venkateswara. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions. ... The use of the term has expanded, and is used to refer to any event which allows a large number of people to lalalawork part time. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Gaudiya Vaishnavism, (Bengal) Vaishnavism, is a sect of Hinduism founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. ... , Vrindavan   (alternate spellings Vrindaban or Brindavan), or Vraj in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India is a town on the site of an ancient forest which is believed to have been the region where the famous cowherd boy, Krishna, from Hindu scriptures spent his childhood days. ...

Tulasi Puja

A Tulasi plant decorated for worship, with fireworks display

Followers of Hindu traditions often keep a Tulsi plant in front of their house. On a specific day each year known as 'Kartik Shukla Dwadashi' (usually about two weeks after Diwali) there is a tradition wherein Tulasi plants will be beautifully decorated with structures made of sugarcane, mango leaves and flowers and then a puja (form of worship) is offered. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution (890 × 594 pixel, file size: 208 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)The Tulsi plant is decorated and worshipped on Tulsi Pooja day. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution (890 × 594 pixel, file size: 208 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)The Tulsi plant is decorated and worshipped on Tulsi Pooja day. ... Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. ... Species Saccharum arundinaceum Saccharum bengalense Saccharum edule Saccharum officinarum Saccharum procerum Saccharum ravennae Saccharum robustum Saccharum sinense Saccharum spontaneum Sugarcane or Sugar cane (Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) of tall grasses (family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae), native to warm temperate to tropical regions... Species About 35 species, including: Mangifera altissima Mangifera applanata Mangifera caesia Mangifera camptosperma Mangifera casturi Mangifera decandra Mangifera foetida Mangifera gedebe Mangifera griffithii Mangifera indica Mangifera kemanga Mangifera laurina Mangifera longipes Mangifera macrocarpa Mangifera mekongensis Mangifera odorata Mangifera pajang Mangifera pentandra Mangifera persiciformis Mangifera quadrifida Mangifera siamensis Mangifera similis Mangifera... A puja as performed in Ujjain during the Monsoon on the banks of the overflowing river Shipra. ...

As with Diwali celebrations there are usually clay lamps lit around the Tulasi plant and the house. In some parts of India people will have also have fireworks displays to mark the occasion. In northern India and in Gaudiya Vaishnava communities it is called the 'Tulsi vivah' or the wedding day of Tulasi with Krishna in his Sila form. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. ... Gaudiya Vaishnavism, (Bengal) Vaishnavism, is a sect of Hinduism founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... A Shaligram Sila decorated for worship with tulsi and a rare Dakshinavarti Shankh Sila, (also spelt as Shila or Sheela) refers to a Vaishnava (Hindu) murthi in the form of a spherical, usually black-coloured stone found in the sacred river Gandaki. ...

Gallery

A young Tulasi plant. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ...

A Tulsi plant in Jaipur. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 576 pixel, file size: 930 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Tulsi I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... , Jaipur   (Hindi: जयपुर), also popularly known as the Pink City, historically sometimes rendered as Jeypore, is the capital of Rajasthan state, India. ...

See also

• List of basil cultivars
• Lakshmi

This is a list of breeds of basil: Sweet basil -- the main kind, has a strong clove scent when fresh -- 605,000 on google Holy basil -- also Sacred Basil or Tulsi, a perennial breed from the country of basils origin, India -- 278,000 Thai Basil -- strong clove scent from... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ...

Notes

1. ^ Spice Pages:Basil
2. ^ Introduction to Oriental Herbs
3. ^ Organic India article
4. ^ Botanical Pathways article with clinical trials details
5. ^ Indian J Exp Biol. 1999 Mar;37(3):248-52.
6. ^ Prakash P, Gupta N. Therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi) with a note on eugenol and its pharmacological actions: a short review.
7. ^ Effect of Ocimum sanctum Leaf Powder on Blood Lipoproteins, Glycated Proteins and Total Amino Acids in Patients with Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine. V. RAI MSC, U. V. MANI MSC PHD FICN AND U. M. IYER MSC PHD. Volume 7, Number 2 / June 1, 1997. p. 113 - 118
8. ^ Evaluation of Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Effect of Ocimum Sanctum,. Jyoti Sethi, Sushma Sood, Shashi Seth, and Anjana Talwar. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 2004, 19 (2) 152-155.
9. ^ Devi, P. Uma; Ganasoundari, A.. Modulation of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes by Ocimum sanctum and its role in protection against radiation injury. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, v.37, n.3, 1999. March,:262-268.
10. ^ Sharma, P; Kulshreshtha, S; Sharma, A L. Anti-cataract activity of Ocimum sanctum on experimental cataract. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, v.30, n.1, 1998:16-20

External links

Tulasi devi

• Vrindadevi (Tulsi) - Vrindavan homepage
• Traditional Songs about Tulsi devi
• Tulasi Devi: The Sacred Tree
• The Story of Tulsi devi
• Tulasi Devi - an overview
• Tulsi Worship

Benefits of Tulasi

• The Holy Herb
• Basil: Herb Society of America Guide
• 15 Benefits of the Holy Basil (Tulsi)
• Holy Basil to Combat Stress?
• Plant Cultures: botany, history and uses of holy basil
• Holy Basil-Tulsi
• Tulsi Queen of Herbs (PDF Download)

Practical care

• Advice: Caring for Tulsi
• Growing Holy Basil

Miscellaneous

• Herb of the Month, March 2004 (Ayurveda)