Tulsi

Includes: Krishna Tulsi, Rama Tulsi, Vana / Van Tulsi, Dulal Tulsi, Ban Tulsi, Temperate (Kapoor) Tulsi, Drudriha Tulsi, Tukushmiya Tulsi, Babi Tulsi, Amrita Tulsi, Shyam Tulsi

Folk Names: Holy Basil, Tulasi (Sanskrit), Queen of Herbs
Scientific Names: Ocimum tenuiflorum / Ocimum sanctum (most types of Tulsi), Ocimum gratissimum (Vana Tulsi), Ocimum africanum (Temperate / Kapoor Tulsi)

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Native Regions: India, Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern China, Thailand, and Malasia
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Medicinal Uses: adaptogen; nervine; helps with exhaustion and adrenal fatigue; reduces stress and stress effects on the body; improves metnal capacity and brain fog; reduces anxiety, mild depression, and insomnia; carminative; antiviral; immune tonic, Antibacterial.

Compounds Known: Eugenol, Rosmarinic Acid, Citral, (neral, geranial), methyl chavicol, citronellal, geraniol, β- ocimene, 8-cineole, linalool.
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Additional Notes: divider

There is mounting evidence that tulsi can address physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions. Tulsi has been found to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals; physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint, and exposure to cold and excessive noise; counter metabolic stress through normalization of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels; psychological stress through positive effects on memory and cognitive function, and through its anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties. Tulsi's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes activity against a range of human and animal pathogens, suggests it can be used as a hand sanitizer, mouthwash, and water purifier, as well as in animal rearing, wound healing, the preservation of food stuffs and herbal raw materials, and traveler's health.

'Tulsi - Ocimum Sanctum: A herb for all reasons' by J Ayurveda Integr Med.

Temperate Tulsi (Ocimum africanum) was introduced by the Abundant Life Seed Foundation. A quick summer annual, the plant bolts fast to flower but readily self-seeds from prior year's seed. The plants are globe-shaped and do not get very tall (a foot or two at best); 0.74 Eugenol, 5.53 Rosmarinic Acid.

Amrita Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum = Ocimum sanctum) was originally obtained from Amritapuri, India. More vigorous than standard Rama type Tulsi. Overwinters nicely in a heated greenhouse (50 F minimum temperature). The plants tend to be globe-shaped, bushy, and almost red when mature and flowering while in cultivation elsewhere- but in India the plants grow very tall and are not globe shaped.

Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum = Ocimum sanctum) is a preferred type grown in India. Leaves are green at first, but eventually develop into a mottled purple. The color of the stems is primarily purple; 4.90 Eugenol, 10.47 Rosmarinic Acid.

Rama Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum = Ocimum sanctum) is the most common type grown in India. Color of the leaves is primarily green. Color of the stems is primarily purple; 5.60 Eugenol, 5.15 Rosmarinic Acid.

Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum) is native to India and East Africa. The plant can easily attain 5 feet tall even outside of its native range. Easy to overwinter indoors and are very stable next to a bright window. Commonly misidentified, however; many products use Temperate Tulsi and call it “Vana” incorrectly; 8.89 Eugenol, 3.51 Rosmarinic Acid.

'Tulsi (Holy Basil) Type Comparisons' by Strictly Medicinal Seeds

You can find this sacred herb growing at the entrance of temples and homes, and in domestic courtyards. It is used in morning prayers to bring about good health for the individual as well as the family unit. It said to help purify the atmosphere, helping to break down chemicals and dispel disease-carrying viruses and bacteria.

Along with its spiritual connections, Tulsi has been used for centuries as a powerful medicinal herb. It also holds the auspicious title of being an adaptogen, meaning it can help the body adjust to environmental stressors. It Offers an uplifting and strengthening energy to the body; Supports someone experiencing exhaustion or adrenal fatigue, as it helps to reduce our fight-or-flight response; Helps to support mental capacity and clear brain fog, with a special affinity for menopausal brain fog; Helps reduce anxiety, mild depression, and insomnia; Helps increase one’s resilience to stress; helps with gas, nausea, and intestinal bloating; tea can be taken to help relieve intestinal viruses and to relieve diarrhea; It can also be used as an immune tonic to overall support the immune system.

The most common variety of tulsi sold and grown in the United States is Ocimum africanum variety, also known as the temperate tulsi. However, this variety, though very potent in scent and flavor, is the least medicinal. Krishna (O. tenuiflorum), Rama (O. tenuiflorum) and Vana (O. gratissiumum) are said to be harder to grow in temperate zones, but Zone 6a can successfully grow all four varieties. Tulsi is an annual in temperate climates.

'What is Holy Basil (Tulsi)?' by The Farmer's Almanac

Essential oil: Citral (71.9% : 31.7% neral and 40.2% geranial), methyl chavicol (3.5%), citronellal (2.8%), geraniol (2.3%), β- ocimene (0.6%), 1, 8-cineole (1.3%), linalool (2.3%).

Biological Activity: Plant: Effects on Central Nervous System, hypothermic; leaf extract: Antibacterial; essential oil: Antifungal.

'Ocimum africanum: A new distributional record for Uttar Pradesh' by Up State Biodiversity Board