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Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Benefits of the Holy Basil (Tulsi) ~

1. Healing Power: The tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.

2. Fever & Common Cold: The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against theses diseases. In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips of cold water. In children, it is every effective in bringing down the temperature.

3. Coughs: Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu.

4. Sore Throat: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.

5. Respiratory Disorder: The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.

6. Kidney Stone: Basil has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract.

7. Heart Disorder: Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.

8. Children's Ailments: Common pediatric problems like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and vomiting respond favorably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten them.

9. Stress: Basil leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.

10. Mouth Infections: The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.

11. Insect Bites: The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches.

12. Skin Disorders: Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma.

13. Teeth Disorder: The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

14. Headaches: Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general.

15. Eye Disorders: Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.

16. Acts on nervous system:It act on nervous system providing them strength, relieves stress and helps in relieving pain.

17. It work as appetizer and promotes digestion by helping in secretion of digestive enzymes.

18. It helps in preventing flatulence and avoids constipated stool.

19. Tulsi juice drops are very effective in earache.

20. Keep powder of tulsi root in water for overnight and take it early morning for diabetes natural cure.

In Hindu Mythology

In Hindu Mythology there is a story in which Gods and Demons work together. to churn the Ocean in hope of getting precious Treasures. During Churning of oceans first Poison came out which threaten to contaminate every thing. Then Lord Shiva Drank that poison and saved them from the disaster.After the poison, Lakshmi (Goddess of prosperity and beauty), Goddess of wine, Moon, Rambha the nymph , White Horse, Kaustubha a jewel, Parijata the Celestial tree, Surabhi the cow of Plenty, Airavata a white elephant, Dhanus a mighty bow, Sankha a conch shell came.

All these things demons and Gods distributed among themselves. But they didn’t stop here to enjoy all these treasures. They went on and on to churn the ocean till divine nectar (Amrit ) appear. Who ever drank divine nectar became immortal. Through this symbolic story sages are teaching path to enlightenment. When we start doing meditation then lots of thoughts come and these thoughts trouble us more. As we go more deep in meditation then all hurtful feelings, anger, hate, jealousy resurface in our mind. This is the Poison which came during the churning of the Ocean.

After we have accepted all these Hurtful Feelings and we are calmly progressing in meditation. Then Powers arises in a Meditator. But a Meditator need not get stuck at powers and should not use them. Slowly the energy which has manifested in form of Powers will also be used in taking us towards our true nature. The Meditator need to go deeper and deeper in to its own being and at Last the nectar comes that is Enlightenment. The symbol Churning of ocean is very meaningful because our unconscious is very deep.From so many lives we are asleep and so many desires we are carrying in it. Our Mind is a vast reservoir of memories and desires. So in Meditation we churn our Mind to drink divine the nectar of immortality...!!