Know 31 Facts about Basil Benefits of Basil Tulsi

Know 31 Facts about Basil Benefits of Basil Tulsi

Tulsi, in Sanskrit, means “the incomparable one.”

The name "basil" is derived from the old Greek word basilikohn, which means "royal," reflecting that ancient culture's attitudes towards an herb that they held to be very noble and sacred.

In India, basil was cherished as an icon of hospitality, while in Italy; it was a symbol of love.

Properties of Basil aka Tulsi
Indian Name - Tulasyadi phanta
There are mainly two types of Tulsi:
Shyam Tulsi: With dark colored stems and leaves
Rama Tulsi: Whitish stems and green leaves
Both types are approximately same as far as quality and smell.

Health Benefits of Basil –
1)  sinusitis
2)flu
3)influenza
4)hay fevers
5)bronchitis
6)kapha type of fever
7)asthma
8)other kapha-related disorders

Basil Tea pacifies Kapha Dosha and Vata Dosha.
It increases Pitta Dosha

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Basil, or Sweet Basil, is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum of the family Lamiaceae (mints), sometimes known as Saint Joseph's Wort in some English-speaking countries.

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Basil is originally native to India and other tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years
Basil is used for their medicinal properties in Ayurveda, the traditional medicinal system of India and Siddha medicine, a traditional Tamil system of medicine.

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Basil is commonly used fresh in cooked recipes.

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Basil is added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the flavor.

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The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water.

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The dried herb also loses most of its flavor, and what little flavor remain tastes very different, with a weak coumarin flavor, like hay.

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Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto—a green Italian oil-and-herb sauce.

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The Chinese also use fresh or dried basils in soups and other foods.

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In Taiwan, people add fresh basil leaves to thick soups
Thai basil is commonly steeped in cream or milk to create an interesting flavor in ice cream or chocolates (such as truffles). The leaves are not the only part of basil used in culinary applications, the flower buds have a more subtle flavor, and they are edible.

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Thai basil is also a condiment in the Vietnamese noodle soup

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When soaked in water, the seeds of several basil varieties become gelatinous, and are used in Asian drinks and desserts such as faluda, sherbet

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Based on chemical content, basils can be divided into four groups:

a)French; Ocimum basilicum, contains lower amounts of phenols
b)exotic; contains methyl chavicol (40-80%)
c)methyl cinnamate - ether 90%
d)eugenol

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Scientific studies in vitro have established that compounds in basil oil have potent antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties, and potential for use in treating cancer

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basil has been shown to decrease the occurrence of platelet aggregation and experimental thrombus in mice.

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Basil is traditionally used for supplementary treatment of stress, asthma, and diabetes in India

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In Siddha medicine, it is used for treating pimples on the face, but intake of the seeds in large quantities is harmful for the brain.

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Jewish folklore suggests it adds strength while fasting

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basil represented hatred in ancient Greece, and European lore sometimes claims that basil is a symbol of Satan

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African legend claims that basil protects against scorpions

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It is believed that the herb was found growing on the original cross of Christ when it was discovered by the Empress Helena, and hence basil has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox Church, where it is used to sprinkle holy water.

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The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Serbian Orthodox Church, Macedonian Orthodox Church, and Romanian Orthodox Church use basil to prepare holy water and pots of basil are often placed below church altars

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In Europe, basil is placed in the hands of the dead to ensure a safe journey.

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The ancient Egyptians and ancient Greeks believed it would open the gates of heaven for a person passing on

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Holy basil, also called Tulsi, is placed in the mouth of the dying to ensure they reach God

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How to store Basil?
Fresh cut basil should be wrapped in damp kitchen paper, placed in a perforated bag, and stored in the fridge - it will last a day or two.

Fresh basil should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel.
It may also be frozen, either whole or chopped, in airtight containers.

you can freeze the basil in ice cube trays covered with either water or stock that can be added when preparing soups or stews.

Dried basil should be kept in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark, and dry place where it will stay fresh for about six months.


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Potted basil should be kept in a sunny but sheltered place (a windowsill is ideal) and watered regularly (but not too much, as that will dilute the flavor).
As you pick leaves from it, more will grow, and the plant should last several months.

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Basil, fresh Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz.)

a)Energy     94 kJ (22 kcal)
b)Carbohydrates     2.65 g
c)- Dietary fiber     1.6 g
d)Fat     0.64 g
e)Protein     3.15 g
f)Water     92.06 g
g)Vitamin A equiv.     264 mg (33%)
h)- beta-carotene     3142 mg (29%)
i)Thiamine (vit. B1)     0.034 mg (3%)
j)Riboflavin (vit. B2)     0.076 mg (6%)
k)Niacin (vit. B3)     0.902 mg (6%)
l)Pantothenic acid (B5)     0.209 mg (4%)
m)Vitamin B6     0.155 mg (12%)
n)Folate (vit. B9)     68 mg (17%)
o)Choline     11.4 mg (2%)
p)Vitamin C     18.0 mg (22%)
q)Vitamin E     0.80 mg (5%)
r)    Vitamin K     414.8 mg (395%)
s)    Calcium     177 mg (18%)
t)    Iron     3.17 mg (24%)
u)Magnesium     64 mg (18%)
v)Manganese     1.148 mg (55%)
w)Phosphorus     56 mg (8%)
x)Potassium     295 mg (6%)
y)Sodium     4 mg (0%)
z)    Zinc     0.81 mg (9%)

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How to Make Basil Tea Healthy Tea


How to make Basil Tea

Ingredients –

Fresh Basil leaves – 10
Ginger – 3gm
Cloves – 3
Black peppercorn – 5

Preparation – Method
Steps to Prepare Basil Tea
1)    Crush all the ingredients
2)Boil these crushed ingredients in one cup of water on low or moderate flame for five minutes
3)Sieve this mixture and add half a cup of hot milk and half-teaspoon sugar.
4)Drink it warm

After drinking tea relax listen music and take bed rest.

Avoid cold exposure.

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India and Tulsi Beliefs –
woman who prays to Goddess Tulsi [Basil Plant] will get married and she will get a good husband.
Childless couple who prays to Tulsi Plant will be bestowed with a healthy and beautiful baby
If a person, who is suffering from illness will be cured if he prays to Goddess Tulsi a Basil Plant.
Today also, in many Indian villages, Tulsi Plant is present in front of house and each morning Indian females pray to Goddess Tulsi.
an early morning pradakshinam around a tulasi plant is Indian tradition

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In India Plant Tulsi enjoys status of Goddess, Goddess Tulsi
A majority of Hindu homes have at least one Tulsi plant so that they may regularly worship
Tulsi Vivah is a holiday that glorifies Vrinda Devi by celebrating her marriage to Lord Vishnu.
Vivah means Marriage

When a person circumambulates Shrimati Tulasi Devi, all the sins he may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahmana

“The house in which the sacred tulasi tree is enshrined is like a sacred bathing place -The servants of Yamaraja do not come to it.” – Garuda Pruana Saroddhara 9.7

“Yama is not able to see him who gives up his life while having a flower of tulasi, though he have hundreds of sins.” – Garuda Pruana Saroddhara 9.8

“Those who worship auspicious tulasi daily by nine processes – namely seeing, touching, meditating, glorifying, offering obeisances, praising, planting, serving and worshiping her -  live in the Lord’s house for ten billion yugas.” – Bhakti Rasamrta-sindhu, quoting from Skanda Purana

“Seeing tulasi destroys all sins. Touching her purifies the body. Bowing to her destroys all sufferings. Sprinkling her with water delivers one from death. Planting her bestows attachment of the mind to Lord Krsna. Offering her to Krsna’s lotus feet bestows special liberation in the form of prema. I offer my respects to tulasi.” – Bhakti Rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.203 quoting from Skanda Purana

The following of Ekadasi vrata, Bhagavad Gita, Ganga water, placing tulasi leaf prasadam in the mouth, caranamrta, the chanting of the holy name – these six items bestow liberation for the dying.” – Garuda Pruana Saroddhara 8.26

Tulsi Pooja, owing to Tulsi Vivah festival, falls in the month of (October-November), in the Hindu month of Karthika, observed on three different dates.

The festival is observed usually on Ekadashi, on the day after Diwali, or on the day after Ekadashi, which, is Dwadashi. Some also observe on Karthik Purnima (full moon day in the month of Karthika)

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Legend story of Tulsi –
Mythological Story-
Jalandhar was born or say was a part of God Shiva.
When Jalandhar was a little boy God Indra tries to kill  Jalandhar a little kid but the mother of Jalandhar who raised him saves Jalandhar and she dies.

Then Jalandhar decides to take revenge.

As Jalandhar is a born because of  God Shiva, no God can defeat Jalandhar.

Then Jalandhar gets his education from the Guru of Demons.
He teaches him everything and power of Jalandhar keeps growing and he becomes the very powerful whom no one can defeat expect Lord Shiva.

Guru of demons knows this and he finds a solution.

Demons and Gods always fight for the power , every coin has two sides.

Guru of demons knows that with the power of Jalandhar Demons will be able to defeat Gods their enemy.

Because of  murder of his mother  by God Jalandhar always thinks Gods are his enemies.

Jalandhar also got the magical powers he even becomes duplicate of Lord Shiva and tries to meet Goddess Parvati the wife of Lord Shiva.

Because of his power, Jalandhar becomes King of Demon

Now who can defeat  Jalandhar?
Only Lord Shiva

Now Guru of Demons finds a solution
Vrinda (Brinda), a synonym of Tulsi  was married to the demon-king Jalandhar.
Due to her piety and devotion to Vishnu, her husband became invincible.
vrinda was blessed by Vishnu that no one could defeat Jalandhar until vrinda is doing worship

Because of this now, it becomes impossible for the Lord Shiva to kill Jalandhar.

Now Gods find the solution to defeat king Jalandhar

Vishnu disguised himself as Jalandhar and meets Vrinda
This way her chastity is destroyed

As Vrinda loses her chastity, it becomes possible for Lord Shiva to kill Jalandhar.

Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become black in colour and he would be separated from his wife.
Vrinda then burnt herself on her husband's funeral pyre or immolated herself

Thus, Lord Vishnu  was transformed into the black Shaligram stone and in his Rama avatar, his wife Sita was kidnapped by a demon-king and thus separated from him.

The gods or Vishnu transferred her soul to a plant, henceforth which was called as Tulsi.
As per a blessing by Vishnu to marry Vrinda in her next birth, Vishnu in form of Shaligram - married Tulsi on Prabodhini Ekadashi.
To commemorate this event, the ceremony of Tulsi Vivah is performed

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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tags – Tulsi Basil Health Benefits