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BASIL – A PANACEA FOR ALL ILLS
BASIL:
(Sc Ocimum-sanctum) is believed to be one of the holiest plants in India.
It has health promoting and disease- preventive properties. ‘Tulsi’ or basil was used since 5,000 B.C. The herb is used in traditional holistic medical system of India-‘Ayurveda’ and is known as the ‘incomparable one’. It is ‘the mother medicine of nature’ and ‘the queen of herbs’. It is health protective, health promotive & environmental purifier. It has a basic role in cultural and religious ethos of Hinduism in India. Scientists too have extensively researched on the properties of this plant.
Basil: Religion and Mythology – In the ancient Hindu scriptures basil holds supreme place among the various medicinal herbs. The Padmapurana and Tulsi Kavacham describe it as the protector of life ‘accompanying man from birth to death’. Pauranic mythology calls it as ‘Vishnu Priya’ (beloved of Lord Vishnu). The Bhagwad Gita, the epic of the Hindus narrates the story of Lord Vishnu, who was finally reincarnated as the plant ‘Tulsi or Basil’ on earth. On all auspicious occasions Hindus make basil an integral part of ceremonies. The leaves of three varieties of Basil i.e. Rama, Krishna and Vana Tulsi are added to ‘charna amrit’ (nectar from the feet of god). Every Hindu household and temple has a basil plant. It is grown on an earthen platform or earthen pot in the courtyard. The leaves, flowers, fruits, roots, branches and main stem are sacred.
Chemical constituents: Chemically Basil contains alkaloids, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, glycosides, phenols, saponins, tannins and terpenes. The essential oil components of tulsi are mainly volatile terpenes and phenols. The oil is uplifting and energy boosting but contains no caffeine or stimulants.
Nutritional value: It possesses a huge value as a nutritive supplement providing vitamins A and C and minerals in an organic and easily digestible form. It also has calcium, fibre, iron, potassium, riboflavin and phosphorus. It also has iron and zinc, besides manganese and sodium as trace elements. Daily ingestion of 1gm dried leaves provides 8.5 mg of natural vitamin C.
Medicinal value: It is antiseptic, antipyretic, anti inflammatory, blood purifying, antiparasitic, insect repellent, digestive, deodorant, diuretic, anti-stress, anti-ulcer, liver protective, antioxidant, radiation protective, anti-asthmatic, anti-diarrhoel, anti-aggressive, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, cholesterol lowering, cardiovascular protective and immuno-modulatory herb.
Toothaches, ladies ailments, male disorders, gout, boils, neurological ailments, mental disorders, headaches, joint problems, addictions, backaches, loss of appetite, jaundice, anemia, general debility, worms, piles, filariasis, syphilis, bad breath, hair loss are some of the ailments which can be cured with regular use of this herb.
The juice and essential oil of the leaves are insecticidal. It also has insect repellent properties and the smell lessens the chances of mosquito menace. This is one of the reasons why basil is planted in the courtyard. Snake bites are also treated with basil leaves. The leaves are mashed and mixed with butter and applied on the snake-bite wound as well as eaten by the patient.
Best way to use basil: The best way to use it is in raw form. The herb should be dried in shade and for short periods in the sun, and then properly stored to preserve freshness and potency to be used thereafter.
The people in the West have also started discovering the properties of this herb and have started using it extensively in food. The use of this herb is non toxic and helps in body metabolism, increasing immunity and lowering the level of disease in people. This herb should be used extensively. People should construct basil gardens to purify the environment and to create an invigorating place.
Published: August 28, 2005