Tulsi, the Indian basil, is one of the most popular Ayurvedic medicinal plants. There is hardly a house in India without this plant, which is revered as sacred, in front of the entrance. Tulsi is considered a purifying medicinal plant that keeps negative energies away from the house and garden. Not only its fragrance is appreciated, the red-green leaves are a popular spice for delicate main courses and desserts.

Ayurvedic properties

From an Ayurvedic point of view, Tulsi balances Vata and Kapha. It calms all mucous membranes, stimulates appetite and digestion, is good for the heart and emotions, and eliminates bad body odour. The somewhat pungent, bitter, tart and sweet-tasting leaves have a slightly warming effect. They nourish ojas, the basis of the immune system, and are therefore traditionally used for banal infections with cough and phlegm. Due to its immunomodulating effect, tulsi also proves its worth in allergic complaints. Tulsi is used in Ayurveda in many ways - as a single remedy, as part of complex remedies, as a spice, as a tea and as an essential oil.

Scientific studies

Scientifically, tulsi contains essential oils (eugenol, estragole and terpenes), vitamins (A and C), bitter and mucilage substances. In animal studies, antibacterial and tumour-inhibiting properties have been demonstrated. In a clinical study on psychiatric patients, the use of a tulsi extract led to significant improvements in anxiety disorders, stress symptoms and depression with simultaneous improvement in attention.

Practical application

In Maharishi Ayurveda, Tulsi is used in the complex remedies MA1405 (beneficial for prevention and adjunctive use in respiratory infections) and MA1788 Allemap (recommended for adjunctive use in allergic complaints).

The Ayurvedic single remedy Tulsi in capsule form contains the dried leaves of basil plants from organic farming, filled in vegetarian capsules. This pure substance is very suitable for a spring cure. For example, one can take one capsule 2-3 times a day before meals after a purification to achieve all the desired effects of Tulsi.

Recommended dosage: one capsule 2-3 times a day before meals.

Source:  Schrott and Ammon "Medicinal Plants of Ayurvedic and Western Medicine" Springerverlag 2012