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Tulasi – Not just a Plant but a Life to Mankind.
Posted Date: 22 Nov 2007 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: General
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Posted By: Mala Member Level: Diamond
Rating:  Points: 5
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We celebrate lot of Plants as it is considered to be religiously very pious. One among the plants is “Tulasi”. Every year people celebrate this Tulasi festival. It is also known as the Queen of Herbs.
The botanical name is Ocimum tenuifolium. It is a well known aromatic plant in the family Lamiaceae.
Its botanical details are as follows.
Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Mangoliopsida
Order : Lamiales,
Family : Lamiaceae,
Genus : Ocimum
Species : O. tenuiflorum.
It is called Holy Basil in English, the name of this plant literally means 'matchless'.
It is called as “Tulasi” in Sanskrit, which means “the incomparable one”. The tulasi is believed to be Lakshmi's incarnation on earth.
TYPES OF TULASI’S :-
The Tulasi plant is known in India in two forms – One is the dark or Shyama (Krishna) Tulasi and light or Rama Tulasi. The former possesses greater medicinal value and is commonly used for worship.
TULASI AS AN AYURVEDIC MEDICINE:-
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. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it is regarded as a kind of "elixir of life" and believed to promote longevity.
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.
Tulasi’s extracts are used as 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.
Recent studies suggest that Tulasi may be a COX-2 inhibitor, like many modern painkillers, due to its significant amount of eugeno1 (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene). Studies have also shown Tulsi to be effective for diabetes, by reducing blood glucose levels. 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.
The tulasi is revered for its medicinal properties as well as its spiritual value. The leaves are a remedy for coughs, and if eaten after meals, assist digestion. They are also put in cooked food and in stored water to prevent them from spoiling. The tulasi is believed to be an antidote to snake venom. When burnt, its smoke repels insects. From this last quality came the social diktat that if tulasi branches are added to a funeral pyre, the soul of the dead would go to Vaikuntha. Practicality, this was done to keep flies and insects at bay until the funeral was over, to prevent the spread of disease from a possibly infected corpse. The tulasi plant is believed to be so pure that the slightest pollution can kill it.
TULASI – AMONG VAISHNAVITES:-
Tulasi also shows some promise for protection from raidation poisoning and cataracts. 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.
TULASI IN SCRIPTURE:-
A number of passages in the Puranas and other scriptures ie., Vedas, point to the importance of tulsi within religious worship in different ways.
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.
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 inJayadeva’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.
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.
The most widely accepted legend about the origin of tulasi is in the Devi Bhagavata Purana. According to it, Vishnu had three wives: Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Ganga. Once Lakshmi and Sarasvati quarreled and cursed each other. Sarasvati's curse turned Lakshmi into a tulasi plant and forced her to live on the earth forever.
In another version of the same story, after Sarasvati cursed Lakshmi to live on earth as tulasi, Vishnu explained that things had happened as predestined. Lakshmi would indeed be born so on earth and marry Shankhachuda, the demon, to help the gods vanquish him.
Accordingly, Lakshmi was born as Tulasi, and in due course was married to Shankhachuda. Because of a boon from Brahma, Shankhachuda could only be defeated if his wife was unfaithful to him. Believing he was invincible, Shankhachuda became arrogant and began tormenting people. They prayed to Vishnu for help, and Vishnu sent Shiva to kill Shankhachuda. Meanwhile Vishnu assumed the form of Shankhachuda and seduced Tulasi, to make her unfaithful and therefore nullify the effect of the boon. This would allow Shiva to kill the demon. When Tulasi discovered the deceit, she began to curse the impostor. Before she could complete the curse however, the imposter revealed himself to be Vishnu. He pacified Tulasi, and reminded her that she was, in fact, Lakshmi, who could now return to heaven with him since her curse was over. To mark the event, Lakshmi's hair became the tulasi plant, which remained on earth and was worshipped thereafter as her image, and her body was transformed into the river Gandaki.
And so the tulasi is considered sacred. For the Vaishnavas in particular, no ceremony can be performed without it, and the worship of Vishnu is incomplete without its leaves. Since the tulasi and the Shalgrama Shila are so closely associated, every year in the month of Kartik, the Vaishnavas marry a tulasi plant to a shalgrama stone with great fanfare. It is believed that the tulasi ensures the presence of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who are said to reside in it and of Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Gayatri who are believed to live in its flowering sprigs.
The tulasi is planted in the courtyards of many homes and is worshipped every day with water and Pradakshina. This practice dates back to earlier times when entire families slept in the courtyard to escape the summer heat within the house. Since the tulasi emits oxygen and not carbon dioxide at night, unlike other plants, it was considered doubly effective to sleep in its sacred and healthy ambience. 'Tulasi' and its other name Brinda or Vrinda, are popular names for girls even today. It is frequently invoked in prayer and preaching as the embodiment of purity.
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.
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| Author: Mala 22 Nov 2007 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 5 |
TULASI AS A DIETY :-
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.
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 Piligrimage and temple towns. Another name for Tulsi within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition is Vrindadevi, meaning 'the goddess of Vrindavan'.
TULASI POOJA:-
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 sugarcan, mango leaves and flowers and then a puja (form of worship) is offered.
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. There is another celebration called Tulsi Ekadashi where Tulasi is worshipped on the Ekadasi day.
TULASI’S HEALTH BENEFITS :-
In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in investigating the traditional health promoting uses of Tulasi. A considerable, rapidly expanding body of modern scientific information is currently available confirming many of the life-supporting benefits described in ancient Indian Ayurvedic (“Knowledge of Life”) writings.
Tulasi is frequently mentioned as one of the main pillars of herbal medicine. The sacred plant is described as a protector of life, preventing misery and disease from birth through old age and death — and even then aiding the passage to the heavens.
TRADITIONAL MEDICAL USES :-
Renowned as a general tonic and vitalizer, “The Elixir of Life”, Tulasi has been traditionally employed in hundreds of different formulations for the treatment of a wide range of disorders, including those of the mouth and throat, lungs, heart, blood, liver, kidney, and the digestive, metabolic, reproductive and nervous systems.
Tulasi is commonly used to treat coughs, colds and fl u, head and ear aches, rheumatism and arthritis, malaria, fever, allergies, and various skin diseases, to reduce the toxicity of various poisons, including insect and reptile bites, to expel intestinal parasites, repel insects and purify the air.
| | Author: Mala 22 Nov 2007 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 5 |
MODERN PERSPECTIVE :-
Current scientific research offers substantial evidence that Tulasi protects against the following:-
Reduces stress;
enhances stamina and endurance;
increases the body’s efficient use of oxygen;
boosts the immune system; reduces inflammation;
protects against radiation damage;
lessens aging factors;
supports the heart, lungs and liver;
has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal
properties; enhances the efficacy of many other
therapeutic treatments; and provides a rich
supply of antioxidants and other nutrients.
Overall, Tulasi is a premier adaptogen, helping the body and mind to adapt and cope with a wide range of physical, emotional, chemical and infectious stresses, and restore disturbed physiological and psychological functions to a normal healthy state.
These general vitality enhancing and health promoting properties, in addition to Tulasi’s many more specific therapeutic actions, likely account for much of the exceptionally broad range of Tulasi’s traditional medical uses, as well as contributing to its mythological importance and religious sanctity.
HEALTH BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS:-
Holistic Health Promotion :- Enhances general health and well-being, having positive overall effects on the body and mind.
Stress Resilience :- Increases the capacity to cope and adapt to changing and challenging environments, and reduces the negative physical and psychological effects of stress (adaptogenic).
Energy and Performance Enhancement :- Improves stamina and endurance, and increases
the body’s efficiency in using oxygen. Enhances protein synthesis and strength.
Anti-Aging Effects :- Slows the biological aging process by reducing the impact of physiological aging factors.
Antioxidant Activity :- Provides significant antioxidant and free radical scavenging protection. Neutralizes dangerous biochemicals that contribute to premature aging, cataracts, cancer and other degenerative diseases.
Radiation Protection :- Reduces the cell and tissue damage caused by harmful rays of the sun, TV, computers, X-rays, radiation therapy, high altitude air travel, etc.
Immunity Tune-Up :- Strengthens and modulates the immune system. Reduces allergic histamine, asthmatic and other adverse immune reactions.
Anti-inflammatory Action :- Reduces the painful and dangerous inflammation that plays a key role in various forms of arthritis, cancer and degenerative neurological disorders.
Antibiotic Protection :- Offers significant natural antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal protection and is, thereby, helpful in treating many serious systemic diseases, as well as localized infections.
Heart and Vascular Protection :- Lowers dangerous cholesterol and stress-related high blood pressure, protects the heart and blood vessels, and has mild blood thinning qualities, thereby decreasing the likelihood of strokes.
Liver Support :- Generally contributes to healthy liver function, improves the metabolic breakdown and elimination of dangerous chemicals in the blood, and counteracts various liver diseases.
Lung and Bronchial Support :- In addition to contributing generally to respiratory health, Tulasi has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of a variety of serious allergic, inflammatory and infectious disorders affecting the lungs and related tissues.
Nutrition :- Contains vitamins C and A, and minerals calcium, zinc and iron, as well as chlorophyll and many other phytonutrients. Also enhances the efficient digestion, absorption
and use of nutrients from food and other herbs.
Allopathic Medicine Complement :- Enhances the effectiveness and reduces the negative and often dangerous side effects of many standard modern medical treatments.
Other Benefits :- Lowers fevers, protects against gastric ulcers, reduces dangerous blood sugar levels in diabetics, and supports dental and periodontal health (and diminishes “bad breath”). Also protects against mercury poisoning, speeds healing of bone fractures, reduces nausea, vomiting and cramping, and repels insects, including mosquitoes and lice.
High Safety Margin :- Research indicates that Tulasi has a very high safety margin with exceptionally low toxicity, providing general beneficial effects at doses without adverse reactions or other undesirable side effects.
REFERENCE BOOKS:-
Agarwal, P., Rai, V. and Singh, R.B.
Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients
with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Bhargava, K.P., and Sing, N.
Anti-stress activity of Ocimum Sanctum.
Chavan, S.R. and Nikam, S.T.
Mosquito larvicidal activity of Ocimum basilicum Linn.
Das, S.K., Chandra, A., Agarwal, S.S., and Singh, N.
Ocimum sanctum (Tulasi) in the treatment of viral encephalitis.
Dymock, W. Warden, C.J.H. and Hooper, D.
Ocimum sanctum. In: Pharmacographia Indica,
A History of Principal Drugs of Vegetable Origin.
Mediratta, P.K. and Sharma, K.K.
Effect of essential oil of the leaves and fixed oil of the seeds of Ocimum sanctum on
Newark, T.M., and Schulick, P.
Beyond Aspirin. Nature’s Answer to Arthritis, Cancer & Alzheimer’s Disease.
Singh, N., and Misra, N.
Experimental methods – Tools for assessment of antistress activity in Medicinal plants.
Singh, N., Hoette, Y., and Miller, R.
Tulasi, .The Mother Medicine of Nature.
International Institute of Herbal Medicine.
Lucknow, India.
Singh, N., Verma, P., Misra, N., and Nath, R.
A comparative evaluation of some anti-stress agents of plant origin.
| | Author: Arun Jadhav 22 Nov 2007 | Member Level: Diamond Points : 2 | Hi Mala,
This is great information about Tulasi. You have given all aspects of Tulasi.
This is knowledgeble. Thanks for providing such an interesting information referring many books.
Regards
Arun
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