*** The HOLY BASIL ….…

 

 

Shri Tulasi Gayatri Mantra –

Om Tripuraya Vidmahaye Tulasi Patraya Dhimahi Tannoo Tulasi Prachodhayat

TULASI…”the central sectarian symbol of Hinduism”

………In Hindu mythology, Tulsi (“matchless”) is known as Vaishnavi (“belonging to Vishnu”), Vishnu Vallabha (“beloved of Vishnu”), Haripriya (“beloved of Vishnu”), Vishnu Tulsi, Shri-Tulsi (“fortunate Tulsi”); Rama-Tulsi (“bright Tulsi”); Shyama-Tulsi (“dark Tulsi”) or Krishna-Tulsi (“dark Tulsi”); The Devi Bhagavata Purana regards Tulsi as an manifestation of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and principle consort of Vishnu.
….Tulsi plant is regarded the holiest of all plants..grown in almost every Hindu house. A person who waters and cares for the Tulsi daily is believed to gain moksha (salvation) and the divine grace of Vishnu. It is customary to pray Tulsi and circumbulate it,chanting mantras with a lamp lit near it.
-“Tulsi Vivah” is performed between Prabodhini Ekadashi to Kartik Poornima, the eleventh or the twelfth lunar day. It is the ceremonial wedding of the Tulsi plant to Krishna.
-Tulsi is especially sacred in the worship of Vishnu and his forms Krishna and Vithoba and other deities. Garlands made of 10000 tulsi leaves, water mixed with tulsi, food items sprinkled with Tulsi are offered in veneration to Vishnu or Krishna before consuming.
-Tulsi malas are considered to be auspicious for the wearer and confer the protection of the deity. They are worn as a necklace or garland or held in the hand and used as a rosary.
-Besides praying the holy basil has medical values.
Tulsi (ocimum sanctum), which is often referred to as holy basil, is a potent herb that has been used in India for thousands of years to treat colds, coughs, and the flu. According to Ayurveda, holy basil promotes purity and lightness in the body, cleansing the respiratory tract of toxins, and relieving digestive gas and bloating. Holy basil leaves offer a rich source of essential oil, containing eugenol, nerol, camphor, and a variety of terpenes and flavonoids. The oil is a strong antiseptic against many kinds of disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
… Immense benefits…..
 A potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties,
 Packed with antioxidants and essential oils that produce eugenol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene controlling Blood Sugar,
 Powerful anti-oxidant component called Eugenol. To control BP,
 Maintain the normal levels of the stress hormone – cortisol in the body, the leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties as stress busters,
 Great diuretic and detoxifier curs Kidney Stones,
 Anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties for Breast Cancer,
 Powerful purifying properties….. hen eaten raw, it purifies the blood immunomodulatory (helps to modulate the immune system), antitussive (suppresses the cough center, reducing the amount of cough) and expectorant properties anti-bacterial and anti-fungal propertiescontains potent components like camphene, eugenol and cineole in its essential oils.
Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory has pain relieving and decongestant properties.

Although basil is found on every continent, holy basil is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. It is a bushy shrub that grows to about 18 inches in height. Its leaves are oval and serrated, with colors ranging from light green to dark purple, depending on the variety. In the wild, holy basil is an annual, but it can be kept as a perennial by trimming it before it forms seeds. The plant has delicate lavender-colored flowers, and its fruit consists of tiny rust-colored nuts.
Holy basil carries the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes, and generates a warming influence on the physiology.

* How to Use Holy Basil ?
Use holy basil freely in your cooking and in making freshly brewed tea. If you’re making tea, simply cover 2 teaspoons of fresh holy basil with 1 cup of boiling water, and let it steep for about 5 minutes. Strain the leaves before drinking.

To benefit from the health-promoting effects, nibble on a few leaves every day. If you’re taking holy basil for stress relief, try growing your own plant from seeds or cuttings.

You can also take holy basil in capsule or tablet form.

* How to Grow Your Own Holy Basil Plant ?
Place the seeds between warm, moist paper towels for a day, and then plant them a half-inch below the surface in rich potting soil.

A sprout will start to break through in 10 days. Once the plant reaches a height of about 12 inches,

1) pinch back any flowers to keep it from going to seed;

2) allow the plant to seed and start a new generation.

Holy basil prefers full sunlight and plenty of water.

Don’t wait, grab the seeds…PLANT YOUR OWN; T-U-L-A-S-I

 

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