Tulsi-Ayurvedic Herb 🌱

Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonym Ocimum sanctum), commonly known as holy basil or tulsi, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceace. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asiantropics.

Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional medicine purposes, and also for its essential oil. It is widely used as a herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has a place within the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving holy basil plants or leaves.

The variety of Ocimum tenuiflorum used in Cambodian and Thai cuisine is referred to as Thai holy basil (Thai: กะเพรา kaphrao) or (Khmer: ម្រះព្រៅ mreah-pruv); it is not the same as Thai basil or Chi neang vorng, which is a variety of Ocimum basilicum.

Tulsi is a sacred plant for Hindus and is worshipped as the avatar of Lakshmi. Tulsi leaves are part of the worship of Vishnu and his avatars and some other deities, including Krishna and Rama, and other male Vaishnava deities, such as Hanuman and some brahmanas. Traditionally, tulsi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses or may be grown next to Hanuman temples.There is also a variant, known as Shyam Tulsi, which is slightly darker (purplish-green) in shade.

The ritual lighting of lamps each evening during Kartik includes the worship of the tulsi plant, which is held to be auspicious for the hindus.Vaishnavas traditionally use Hindu prayer beads made from tulsi stems or roots, which are an important symbol of initiation. They have such a strong association with Vaishnavas, that followers of Vishnu are known as “those who bear the tulsi round the neck”.

Tulsi Vivah is a ceremonial festival performed anytime between Prabodhini Ekadashi (the 11th or 12th lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik) and Kartik Poornima (the full moon of the month). The day varies regionally.

This is all about Tulsi

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