Tulsi Plant And It's Medicinal Use

Swagata Sarkar

Student

Bengal School of Technology

   (A College of Pharmacy)

Introduction: Ocimum sanctum, commonly known as tulsi & also known as "Holy basil" or "sacred basil". This plant is basically used in Hindu homes for its medical and spiritual properties. India, China and the Middle East is famous for tulsi since thousands of years. It became known as "sacred" or "Holy basil" after it was introduced to European Christians. Tulsi is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat colds, stomach problems, and headaches, among other uses.

There are three main types of tulsi plants:

·         Rama Tulsi (known as Green Leaf Tulsi): It is green tulsi with light purple flowers and an aromatic, clove-like scent and mellower flavor.

·         Krishna Tulsi (known as Shyama Tulsi):It is a purple plant with a clove-like aroma and peppery flavor.

·         Vana Tulsi (or Wild Leaf Tulsi): It is a bright, light green tulsi with lemony aroma and flavor, grows wild and is indigenous to many areas of Asian and North-East Africa.

Ayurveda: Ayurveda refers to  Holy Basil or tulsi as “the incomparable one,” “mother medicine of nature” and “the queen of herbs”. The leaves of Tulsi are a nerve tonic, it helps to sharp memory and increase retention power. Fever, common cold, sore throat, mouth infections, headaches and certain skin disorders can be cured by using Tulsi. It’s anti-microbial and anti-allergic property are extremely useful for treating bacterial and fungal infections as well as immunological disorders like allergies and asthma.

Heart disorders and diabetes are treated by tulsi as it helps in reducing the cholesterol level in the body. It is also known to have shown positive responses when used by patients suffering from kidney stones and bronchial disorders.

 Tulsi extract is used in cosmetics for its antibacterial activity. Classed as a fragrant and skin conditioning agent it is used in anti-acne  preparations.

Tulsi Tea: The most easiest way to use tulsi is as follows.  Take 10-12 tulsi leaves, wash them and disharge them.If fresh leaves are not available then take ½ tea spoon of dry tulsi leaves. On a medium flame Boil them in about 1 cup of water and reduce to half. Then Strain it & enjoy.

Hinduism: In the worship  of Vishnu and his avatars, Krishna , Rama and other male Vaishnava deities, tulsi takes a vital role. Tulsi is a sacred plant for Hindus and is worshipped as the avatar of Lakshmi.

Traditionally, tulsi is planted in the centre of the central courtyard of Hindu houses or may be grown next to Hanuman temples.

The ritual lighting of lamps each evening during Kartik includes the worship of the tulsi plant, which is held to be auspicious for the home. 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 ceremonial festival performed anytime between Prabodhini Ekadashi and Kartik Poornima .The day varies regionally.

 Other Names: It is known as Holy Basil in English and Tulasi in Sanskrit. Other names used for the Tulsi are Manjari, Krishna Tulsi, Trittavu, Tulshi and Thulsi.

 Biological source: Tulsi consists of the fresh and dried leaves of Ocimum sanctum.

Biological Classification:  

Kingdom - Plantae

Subkingdom - Tracheobionta

Superdivision - Spermatophyta

Division - Magnoliophyta

Class - Magnoliopsida

Subclass-  Asteridae

Order  -Lamiales

Family - Lamiaceae

Genus  -Ocimum

Species  - sanctum

Geographical Source:

Tulsi is grown in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and Sasangir National Park in India. Tulsi grows wild in tropics and warm regions.It is also found in Nepal,Chine & Southeast Asian.

Macroscopic Characters:

Tulsi is a heavy branched having hair all over. It’s about 75 – 90 cm. It has round oval shaped leaves which are up to 5 cm long. The leaves are 2- 4 cm in length. Its seeds are flat. Its flowers purple are creamish in colour. Shri Tulsi is basically green in terms of leaves and one with the reddish leaves is called the Krishna Tulsi. Its seeds are yellow to reddish in colour. Leaves of Tulsi contains very essential oil and slightly pungent in taste.

Chemical Constituents:

The presence of essential or volatile oils provides a specific aromatic odor of Ocimum sanctum that is concentrated mainly in the leaves.

The aromatic volatile oils contain mainly phenols, terpenes and aldehydes. In addition to volatile oils, the plant is known to contain alkaloid, glycosides, saponins and tannins.

It has been reported that several bioactive molecules and nutrients have been found in Ocimum Sanctum , the extent of which depends on the nature of the soil, along with the techniques of cutting, processing and conservation. The essential oils were obtained from the leaves of osmium womb - thymine, octane, saline, 3-pinene, 3-pinene, toluene, campaign, subin, dimethyl benzene, myracin, ethyl benzene, limousine, p-semen, terpinyl-terpenyl. Benzene, 1-Cuban, linoleum, eugenol, methyl eugenol, ile-ilmen, lactate, β cariophyllin, iso-eugenol, Guigin, m-amorphine, um humulin, ham-huren, carvacrol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, borneol, morinol, , Caedinina, catastrophe, Jeranola, Nerolidala and Elamala Idol. Also, the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of the plant has been found to contain Urosolic acid, Apigenin, Luteolin, Isorientin, Orientin, Molludistin, Stigmasterol, Triacontanol ferulate, Vitexin, Isovitexin, Aesculetin, Aesculin, Chlorgenic acid, Galuteolin, Circineol Gallic acid, Procatechuic acid, Caffiec acid and Chlorogenic. Further, palmitric acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, sitosterol and hexourenic acid have been reported to be present in the fixed oil from the Ocimum Sanctum. 

How to Use Tulsi: Tulsi can be consumed in powder or tablet form or chewed fresh off a plant. Tulsi powder or tablet can be consumed after a meal as it aids in the process of digestion. The raw Tulsi leaves can be chewed before a meal or on an empty stomach in the morning. Tulsi acts as a supplements after having a meal to aid in digestion. Tulsi leaves can be consumed with a glass of water.

     Tulsi : Dosage

Adults: Adults can consume around 3 to 5 Tulsi leaves every day or 500 to 600 mg of Tulsi extracts as supplements.

Children (3 to 10 years): Tulsi leaves can be a choking hazard for very young children. But 2 to 3 Tulsi leaves can be given to children above 3 years. It is advisable to consult a pediatrician for Tulsi supplements.

Dosage of Common Forms of Tulsi

·    Powder: 1 to 2 tablespoon of tulsi powder can be dissolved in a glass of water or made into a herbal tea. Alternatively, 4 to 6 Tulsi leaves can be chewed every day.

·      Tablet: 1 to 2 Tulsi tablets (500-600mg) should be consumed after a meal everyday.

Uses of Tulsi :

A.      Medicinal Activity:

1. Fever and common cold- Soft leaves of the tulsi plant, prevent cold during the rainy season, and malaria and dengue fever. If we take Boiled Leaves with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water and mixed with sugar and milk help to bring down our temperature during a fever.

2. Sore throat- If we consumed  boiled Water with tulsi leaves can be to help cure a sore throat. This water can also be used to gargle.

3. Respiratory disorders- A decoction of the leaves along with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. If someone is suffering from influenza & if he able to take a decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt (should be boiled in half a litre of water until only half the water is left)then he immediate relief in case of influenza.

4. Kidney stones - The juice of tulsi leaves and honey, if a patient take it regularly for six months, will break down, dislodge and expel the stones via the urinary tract.

5. Heart disorders- Chewing 10- 12 leaves of tulsi daily reduces the level of blood cholesterol.

6. Stress- Chewing 12 leaves of basil twice a day prevents stress.

7. Mouth infections- The leaves are quite effective in treating ulcers and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed regularly will cure these conditions.

8. Insect bites- If someone is bitten by an insects & if he takes One teaspoon of the juice of the leaves in every few hours, he should be cured. Fresh tulsi leaf juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of the fresh roots of the plant is also effective in case of leeches.

9. Tooth problems- Leaves dried in the sun and powdered can be used for brushing the teeth. Leaves dried and mixed with mustard oil are used as toothpaste. This paste is very good for maintaining the overall dental health, countering bad breath and massaging the gums. The paste is also useful in treating pyorrhea and other tooth disorders.

10. Headaches- Dried and powdered leaves are mixed with sandalwood paste and applied on the forehead to get relief from the heat and headaches.

11. Eye disorders- Tulsi juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by a deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice can be put into the eyes daily at bedtime.

B.    Pharmacological Activity:

1. Antioxidant activity-Tulsi's antioxidant activity has been observed by many workers. Flavonoids have been reported for their antioxidant properties and their relationship to membrane protection. The antioxidant activity of flavonoids (Orientin and Vasinin) in vivo was revealed as a significant reduction of radiation induced lipid peroxidation in mouse liver. Tulsi extract has the remarkable ability to float highly reactive free radicals.

2. Antihypertensive and cardioprotective activities-Transient cerebral ischemia and long-term cerebral hypoperfusion (leading to cellular inflammation, gliosis and perivascular inflammatory infiltration) have been prevented by Tulsi. Basil frozen oil produces hypotensive effects in anhydrous anesthetized dogs, which seems to have been due to its peripheral vasodilatory action. Essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic acids contained in basil oil, produce prostaglandins Series 1 and 3 (PGE1 and PGE3) and inhibit the formation of Series 2 prostaglandins (PGE2). Long-term feeding of Tulsi offers significant protection against isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrosis in Wistar rats by increasing intestinal antioxidant.

3. Antimicrobial activity-Tulsi showed growth inhibition for E. coli, Proteus and Staphylococcus aureus; While the growth barrier for Vibrio cholera. Similarly, Tulsi resistant Neisseria proved to be active against gonorrhea strain. Basil stabilized oil showed good antibacterial activity against Bacillus pumillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and S. aureus. The higher content of linolenic acid in basil fixed oil may contribute to its antibacterial activity.

4. Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant activity-Alcoholic  extract (AlE) lengthened, reducing the recovery time and severity of electroshock and pentyllenetrazolinduced irritation when compared to those caused by pentobarbital (40 mg / kg, ip). This reduced the time and ambition of fighting apomorphine motivation in the "open field" test. At high doses, the basal drainage suggests a CNS stimulant and / or antistress activity to increase swimming time. The effect was comparable to that of antidepressant drugs. Basil stabilized oil (2-5 ml / kg, IP) has been reported to increase pentobarbitone-induced sleep time in rats. Inhibition of hepatic metabolism of pentobarbitone / renal clearance by fixed oils may be responsible for strengthening pentobarbitone-induced sleep time.

5. Antiinflammatory activity-Aqueous suspension of methanolic extract (500 mg / kg) and basil showed analgesic, antipyretic and antiinflammatory effects on acute (carrageenan-induced pedal inflammation) and chronic (Croton oil-induced granuloma and exudate formation) rats in rats.

The fixed oil and linolenic acid possess significant antiinflammatory activity against PGE2, leukotriene and arachidonic acid induced paw oedema in rats by virtue of their capacity to block both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism .

6. Memory enhancer activity-Tulsi dried whole plant alley mixed with the amnesic effect of scopolamine (0.4 mg / kg) and deficiency of aging memory in rats. Passive avoidance instances serve as models of extroverted behavior. Basal drainage significantly increased step-down latency (SDL) and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Therefore, Tulsi may be employed in the treatment of cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

7. Antidiabetic activity-Oral administration of tulsi extract led to marked lowering of blood sugar in normal, glucosefed hyperglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross over single blind human trial indicated a significant decrease in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels by 17.6% and 7.3%, respectively. Urine glucose levels showed a similar trend. Further, tulsi has aldose reductase activity, which may help in reducing the complications of diabetes such as cataract, retinopathy, etc.

8. Antiulcer activity-Tulsi's fixed oil intraperitoneally induced intraperitoneally elevated resistance to significant antler activity in rats against aspirin, indomethacin, alcohol (50% ethanol), histamine, reservoir, serotonin or stress. Stable oil contains significant anti-inflammatory activity due to its lipoxygenase inhibitory, anti-histamine and antisecretory effects.

  

Side Effects of Tulsi:

Tulsi is a beneficial herb that has many health benefits. But it comes with its share of side effects 

1.   Thinning of blood: Eugenol is an important compound present in tulsi which has many benefits for the health. However, when taken in excess, eugenol can thin the blood and result in blood in urine or bleeding during coughing.

2.   Hypoglycemia: Tulsi is beneficial in reducing the blood sugar levels in the body without any side effects. But people who are suffering from low blood pressure and take Tulsi regularly can find themselves in trouble as Tulsi can bring down the glucose count in their body rapidly.

3.Nausea and vomiting: Tulsi consumption can lead to nausea, vomiting, light headedness, dizziness and retching.

Conclusion:

 It is evident that Tulsi is a medicinal plant of great importance because of its various application in medicine and hence can be corroboratively called “The Queen of Herbs.”By this review,it is clear that a lot of work has been carried out in the field of medicine to utilize the properties of Tulsi in allopathi and ayurvedi medicine.

Reference:

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