Basil or tulsi plant has many medicinal properties and has been used since time immemorial in Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties.
Stress manager
Stress has taken over our daily lives, and whether you like it or not, is affecting our bodies, our thoughts and feelings, and also our behaviour. It’s therefore important to watch out for its symptoms and keep it under check. In Ayurveda, it’s believed that tulsi leaves work as an ‘adaptogen’ or an anti-stress agent. Additionally, studies suggest that tulsi helps maintain the normal levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body. Chewing on about 10-12 tulsi leaves every day can help soothe the nerves, regulate blood circulation and beat free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress.
Healthy skin, healthy you
Tulsi is known to have powerful purifying properties and eating its leaves, drinking the juice, or adding its paste to a face pack can help cure skin and hair conditions. Additionally, when eaten raw, it helps purify the blood, and gives the skin a beautiful glow. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties help prevent breakouts and the appearance of acne and blemishes. Apart from all this, it helps in reducing itchiness of the scalp and helps to reduce hair fall. Grind a handful of tulsi leaves and mix the powder in some warm coconut oil. Gently massage this mixture into your scalp once a week to prevent hair fall.
Dental hygiene

Once a while, you could try brushing your teeth with some dried tulsi leaves powder. Not only does this practice help you get rid of bad breath, but also helps prevent gum diseases, pyorrhoea, and other dental infections. It’s best to mix the powder with a few drops of mustard oil for positive results. In case of a toothache, turn to the goodness of this medicinal herb. After you have washed three-four fresh tulsi leaves, make a smooth paste. To this, add half a tablespoon of black pepper corn powder and mix well. Apply this paste directly over the tooth and leave for a few minutes. Repeat this thrice a day until you seek permanent relief from the pain.
Common cold and fever
The germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and antibiotic properties of this herb can help bring down fever. Chewing on some fresh tulsi leaves on an empty stomach can also help one get rid of common cold and flu. Boil a 6-7 fresh tulsi leaves with one-two teaspoons of powdered cardamom in half a litre of water. On a low flame, let it reduce to half its total volume. If required, add a tablespoon of honey or sugar to it and sip every two to three hours. It’s said that tulsi leaves have the potential to cure any fever, be it due to common infections or malaria.
Goodbye, headache
Tulsi has pain relieving and decongestant properties, thereby making it the best natural cure for headaches. If you are suffering from a headache, caused due to sinusitis, allergies, cold or even migraines, simply boil a handful of tulsi leaves in two cups of water and let cool. Soak a clean piece of cloth in it, wring out the excess water and gently place this on your forehead to treat a headache. Alternatively you can also add a few drops of tulsi oil or extract to the water. Additionally, you can also reap the benefits of its cooling effects by making yourself a paste of ground basil leaves and sandalwood. Apply this to your forehead, sit back and feel relaxed and calm.
Here are some other uses of the medicinal leaves of tulsi
Insect bites
Using a cotton pad, apply the fresh juice of tulsi leaves or paste of fresh roots directly on the affected skin.
Sore throat
Boil a few tulsi leaves in your drinking water and use it for gargling. You can also sip on this drink every hour or so.
Sore eyes
Prepare some juice by boiling a handful of tulsi leaves. Boil until water turns black. Using a sterilised eye dropper, put two drops into each eye at bedtime.
Burns
To bring down the pain, using a cotton pad or clean cloth, apply tulsi juice mixed with an equal amount of coconut oil direc