Tulsi (Holy Basil) Health and Beauty Benefits
Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as holy basil, tulsi or tulasi, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics.
Holy basil is an erect, many–branched subshrub, 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall with hairy stems. Leaves are green or purple; they are simple, petioled, with an ovate blade up to 5 cm (2 in) long, which usually has a slightly toothed margin; they are strongly scented and have a decussate phyllotaxy. The purplish flowers are placed in close whorls on elongated racemes (shoots).
Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional medicinal purposes, and also for its essential oil. It is widely used as an herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has a place within the Vaishnava (one of the denominations) tradition of Hinduism (Indian religion and dharma, or way of life), in which devotees perform worship involving tulsi plants or leaves. Tulsi is an essential component of many curries and stews.
The three main morphotypes (varietals) cultivated in India and Nepal are Rama tulsi (the most common type, with broad bright green leaves that are slightly sweet), the less common purplish green–leaved (Krishna or Shyam tulsi, named after the Hindu deity) and the common wild Vana tulsi (e.g., Ocimum gratissimum).
The variety of Ocimum tenuiflorum used in Thai cuisine is referred to as Thai holy basil (Thai: กะเพรา kaphrao) and is the key herb in phat kaphrao, a stir–fry dish; it is not the same as Thai basil, which is a variety of Ocimum basilicum (Sweet basil). In Cambodia, it is known as mreah–prov (Khmer: ម្រះព្រៅ).
Tulsi Varieties
 | Rama Tulsi Rama tulsi has bright green leaves. It is the most commonly planted tulsi in India and Hindu households. It is a very low–maintenance herb and is easy to grow even in high UV sunlight or low temperatures. Rama tulsi has a much milder flavor profile than Krishna tulsi. |
 | Krishna Tulsi Krishna tulsi has purplish leaves with strong aromatic scent. The flavor profile of Krishna tulsi is often thought to be too spicy and pungent for culinary applications. But it is believed to have more medicinal properties than Rama tulsi. Growing both Rama and Krishna tulsi at home is commonplace in India and Hindu households. |
 | Vana Tulsi Vana tulsi is also known as African tulsi. “Vana” is a Hindi word that translates to “forest”. Vana tulsi is a perennial basil. It is of the Ocimum gratissimum species, which is different from Rama and Krishna tulsi. |
 | Amrita Tulsi Amrita tulsi is a unique perennial variety. The name “Amrita” means “immortality”. This name might be a reference to its hardiness. Amrita tulsi has an uncanny ability to survive adverse growing conditions, it can tolerate cold, heat, drought, flooding and winds. The purple stems produce long green leaves. |
Similar Species
Some similar species in the same genus may be commonly called “basil”, although they are not varieties of Ocimum tenuiflorum.
- Camphor basil or African basil (O. kilimandscharicum) is a basil species native to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
- Clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum) in Hawaii “wild basil”, is a species of Ocimum. It is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia.
DNA barcodes of various biogeographical isolates of tulsi from the Indian subcontinent are now available. In a large–scale phylogeographical study of this species conducted using chloroplast genome sequences, a group of researchers from Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, have found that this plant originates from North–Central India. This basil has now escaped from cultivation and has naturalized into a cosmopolitan distribution.
Phytochemistry
Some of the phytochemical constituents of tulsi are oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, and β–caryophyllene (about 8%). Tulsi essential oil consists mostly of eugenol (~70%) β–elemene (~11.0%), β–caryophyllene (~8%), and germacrene (~2%), with the balance being made up of various trace compounds, mostly terpenes.
The genome of the tulsi plant has been sequenced and reported as a draft, estimated to be 612 mega bases, with results showing genes for biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Shyama tulsi, ursolic acid and eugenol in Rama tulsi. The predicted proteins and other annotations are available.
The History of Tulsi and Its Significance in Hinduism
Tulsi is a sacred plant for Hindus, particularly the Vaishnavite sect. It is worshipped as the “avatar” (the material appearance or incarnation of a deity) of god Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi (or Shri, the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility and prosperity), and may be planted in front yards of Hindu houses or Hanuman temples.
In the past, women would wear tulsi leaves in their hair to attract potential suitors. The ritual lighting of lamps each evening during Kartik (in the lunisolar Hindu calendar this month typically overlaps October and November) includes the worship of the tulsi plant. Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu) are known as “those who bear tulsi around the neck”.
Tulsi Vivah is a ceremonial festival performed between Prabodhini Ekadashi, the 11th or 12th lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik, and Kartik Pournima (the full moon of the month).
Holy Basil vs Sweet Basil
Most essential oils available that are labeled “basil essential oil” are extracted from Sweet basil varieties. Holy basil (tulsi) is a different type of basil. Tulsi is the species Ocimum tenuiflorum, does not have the same chemical composition as Sweet basil varieties. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is also known to have antibacterial, anti–inflammatory and stimulant properties. Read more on the properties of this herb.
Therapeutic Uses of Tulsi (Holy Basil) Essential Oil
Tulsi (Sanskrit: “Surasa”) is used for its medicinal properties in fresh, dried powder, herbal tea, and essential oil forms. In fact, it has been widely used in India, especially in Ayurvedic and Siddha practices to treat myriad ailments. In India, tulsi is prized for its potent medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Tulsi plants can be seen outside many Indian and Hindu households. Some claim that it is forbidden to even chew tulsi leaves; they must be swallowed whole.
If you’re interested in greater detail, read this PDF on the Tulsi Essential Oil Health and Beauty Benefits. Tulsi essential oil has many health benefits discussed below.
- Prevent Vomiting: Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) has been used traditionally in Ayurveda to prevent vomiting caused by a variety of factors, but particularly nausea caused by motion sickness.
- Insect Repellent: For centuries, the dried leaves of tulsi have been mixed in with stored grains to repel insects.
- Nematicidal: The essential oil of tulsi may have nematicidal properties against Tylenchulus semipenetrans, Meloidogyne javanica, Anguina tritici, and Heterodera cajani.
- Disinfection: Water disinfection using O. tenuiflorum extracts was tested in 2009, 2012 and 2013 studies. All found an alcoholic extract (tincture) to be more effective than aqueous extract or leaf juice. The 2012 study found the result to be safe to drink, and additionally to be antimicrobial. A constituent analysis in the 2009 study found alkaloids, steroids, and tannins (a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules) in the aqueous, and alkaloids and steroids only in the alcoholic extract.
Precautions
Ingesting essential oils can be harmful and toxic. Before you ingest tulsi essential oil as a medicinal treatment or supplement, be sure to first consult with your physician or a medical professional. Always purchase high–quality, therapeutic–grade, and 100% pure USDA certified organic, non–GMO essential oils from a reliable and reputable seller and do not ingest in large doses. Consult a healthcare professional before using tulsi essential oil on children, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Essential Oils to Avoid in Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant should use essential oils with caution. Some oils are best steering clear of altogether. These are: Acorus Calamus, Ajwain, Allspice, Amyris, Anise (Aniseed), Angelica, Apricot Kernel, Asafoetida, Babchi, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Fennel, Hyssop, Oregano, Peru Balsam, Thyme, Sage, Star Anise, Sweet Birch, and Wintergreen.
Never use essential oils in a humidifier, CPAP machine, or any other breathing device.
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Sources:
Ocimum tenuiflorum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocimum_tenuiflorum
Varney, E. & Buckle, J. (2013). “Effect of Inhaled Essential Oils on Mental Exhaustion and Moderate Burnout: A Small Pilot Study”. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 19(1): 69-71.
Lawless, J. (1999). The illustrated encyclopedia of essential oils: The complete guide to the use of oils in aromatherapy and herbalism. Retrieved February 24, 2017
Types of Tulsi and Basil
https://elitechdrip.com/types-tulsi-basil/
Gardening Tips / By Siddharth