Holy Basil Plant

The holy basil, botanically known as Ocimum tenuiflorum, and commonly, tulsi is an aromatic plant in the Lamiaceae family. Other members of this family include Thai basil and lemon basil. A culinary herb, holy basil is prominent in many world cuisines, and has religious significance in India. Besides this, most ancient form of medicines have and still use its plant parts to prepare herbal infusions. Holy basil's chemical components form the baseline for many alternative types of medicines.

The holy basil is an erect, multiple branching shrub with hairy stems and strongly scented ovate, greenish to purplish leaves. The plant can grow up to the height of 30 - 60 cm. Black-purplish colored flowers are borne on elongated racemes in close whorls. Native to the tropical regions of the old world, holy basil or tulsi is regarded as a kind of 'elixir of life' in Ayurveda.

Holy Basil Seeds

The seeds are used for culinary, medicinal and propagating purposes. The seeds can be lifted from dried flower racemes. The ones used for culinary purposes should be cleaned well. Water soaked basil seeds become gelatinous, and are used to flavor certain Asian beverages and desserts. Some regional recipes call for seeds to be cooked along with certain vegetables. Ayurvedic medicines too use whole or grounded seeds to prepare herbal remedies.

Plant Care

Seeds are sown in summers between April - May. Being a tropical plant, it requires a good amount of sunlight. Holy basil is suited for both, ground and container gardening. The plant should be watered regularly, but be careful about over-watering. It is not difficult to revive them after a dry spell. The plant can be fed fortnightly with a liquid fertilizer during its growing months. It is not frost tolerant, hence winter care is essential. To get the best harvest, harvest young shoots early in the morning. The plant can become invasive if left to its own devices, hence regular pruning and a check on the suckers is important.

Benefits of Holy Basil

Being an extremely beneficial herb, it contains certain chemical components that has been the mainstay of the holistic health and herbal medicines for thousands of years. Most of its uses can be found in ancient Ayurvedic text. Holy basil helps to promote a mental and spiritual balance in coordination with the physical self. Holy basil increase the body's metabolism and build the immune system's immunity by encouraging resistance to infections that result in cold and common flu. Individuals who have allergies, bronchitis and asthma infection, have found relief upon using herbal tea seeped with holy basil leaves. A paste of basil leaves can help heal wounds and other skin infections, when applied externally. It also promotes digestive health. Holy basil contains antioxidants that promote heart health. Basil essential oil has powerful potent antioxidant, antiviral, anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties, and is under research for its role in cancer medication.

As with all herbs, there are a few side effects associated with this plants. But in comparison to other herbs, its side effects are few and in between. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a herbalist before consuming any holy basil based supplements or concoction.