Tulsi, known scientifically as Ocimum tenuiflorum, has been an integral part of Indian life for thousands of years. It is respected in Hindu culture and is valued for its healing strength. Its therapeutic benefits can be traced back nearly 5000 years with mention in the Rig Veda around 1500 BCE shows how deeply this plant is connected into our history.
The plant contains several active ingredients that are extracted for pharmaceutical use. If you want to understand Tulsi in a simple and useful way, stay with this blog till the end. You may even learn how to save up to 80 percent by the time you finish reading.
What is Tulsi?
Tulsi is an aromatic short lived subshrub. It is native to India and is grown across Southeast Asia. The plant usually reaches a height of 30 to 60 cm. Its leaves come in green or purple shades and carry a strong fragrance similar to clove. In Indian culture Tulsi is seen as sacred and pure.
In households and temples it holds a place of respect. Tulsi leaves and extracts are used in teas, oils, supplements and traditional remedies for stress, respiratory issues, metabolism and immune support. The real question is about the active ingredients and the exact therapeutic value of this plant. This takes us to the next part…….
Key Bioactive Compounds in Tulsi
Till now seven key ingredients have been identified in Tulsi that are linked to its therapeutic value. These are listed below:
- Eugenol: This essential oil forms about 40 to 70% of the plant content. It provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. These actions help with pain relief, infection control, and lowering inflammation.
- Rosmarinic Acid: Rosmarinic acid makes up about 1 to 3% of the dry leaf weight. It has antioxidant, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. It supports stress reduction, controls allergic responses and helps manage inflammation.
- Ursolic Acid: This compound is found in dried leaf material at about 0.5 to 1.5%. It shows anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-hyperlipidemic and potential anti-cancer effects. It supports liver health and overall metabolic balance.
- Orientin, Vicenin, Apigenin, Luteolin (Flavonoids): These flavonoids act as antioxidants that protect the body from the growth of harmful conditions and help neutralise free radicals. They make up about 0.5 to 2% of the dried leaves.
- 1,8 Cineole: Present in a very small amount, it works as an expectorant and helps clear congestion. It is useful for cough and cold relief.
- Camphor: This forms about 5 to 15% of the essential oil, although the exact amount varies with plant type. It supports decongestant action.
- Tulsinol Neolignans: Found only in Tulsi, these compounds show antioxidant activity and protect cells from damage through several mechanisms.
Ways to Consume Tulsi?
To get the maximum benefit you need to consume Tulsi in the right way. It is important to know which form works best and how it should be taken. Some ingredients lose their strength when exposed to high heat, which means you may not receive the full benefit. Below are some of the ways in which you can consume tulsi:
- Tea: You can add Tulsi leaves to your tea. Adding the leaves to boiling water is fine and the active ingredients like volatile oils and polyphenols mix well into the water. You can add lemon or honey to improve the taste and support the effect.
- Tulsi Capsules or Tablets: Ayurvedic medicines often include Tulsi in their formulations. These are available as capsules or tablets and offer a simple way to add Tulsi to your routine.
- Fresh Leaves: Tulsi contains several volatile oils. Chewing the fresh leaves or sprinkling them on salads or cooked dishes supports immunity, digestive health, stress control and antioxidant activity.
- Tulsi Juice or Extracts: You can take Tulsi as juice. This does not mean taking a full glass. Mix 5 to10 ml of juice with water and drink it once a day on an empty stomach.
- Tulsi Essential Oil: Tulsi oil is used on the skin and offers antimicrobial action. It should not be taken directly by mouth. Always dilute it before use.
Who Should Avoid Consuming Tulsi
As explained earlier, Tulsi contains several active ingredients and some of these are used in medicines. These ingredients can interact with certain drugs and may lead to unwanted effects. If you take any of the medicines listed below, it is better to avoid Tulsi unless your doctor advises otherwise:
- Diabetic Medication: Tulsi can lower blood sugar levels. When taken along with diabetes medicines, the combined effect can drop the sugar level too much and put the person at risk. This can be dangerous for anyone managing diabetes.
- Anticoagulation Medication: Tulsi can slow blood clotting. If you are already taking blood thinning medicines, Tulsi can reduce the blood’s ability to clot even further. It is also advised to avoid Tulsi for at least two weeks before any surgery. Always speak to your doctor if you take medicines that thin the blood.
- Thyroid Medication: Tulsi may lower thyroid hormone levels. This can worsen symptoms in people who have hypothyroid conditions. If you take thyroid medication, it is safer to avoid Tulsi unless your doctor approves it.
Conclusion
In India Tulsi has been a part of daily life for centuries, whether kept in home temples or added to our tea. It offers a wide range of benefits from antimicrobial support to help with respiratory health. Tulsi has been trusted as a natural remedy for generations. Even then many people today depend on chemical based medicines.
In the world we live in now it is difficult to know the true quality of any product unless it has been checked by a trusted third party lab. This is where SayaCare stands out. It is the only online pharmacy that provides lab tested medicines delivered to your doorstep with savings of up to 80%
