Benefits of Tulsi: Uses, Precaution & Side-effects of Tulsi Leaves & Plant

Benefits, Usage & Side Effects

Tulsi is a popular plant known for its wide therapeutic properties. It belongs to the genus Ocimum and has a lot of benefits. People all across the world are aware of tulsi benefits. Hence it is popularly called the Holy Basil. The plant is mainly found in the tropical and semitropical regions of the world. Tulsi has a unique fragrance and a distinct taste, so most people like to consume it in order to have better immunity against diseases.

Tulsi leaves are famous for providing protection against mosquitoes, flies, and insects. Hence, people like to rub them against their skin as it causes no allergic reactions.

What are the Benefits of Tulsi?

Are you somebody who wonders what are the benefits of tulsi? We have listed a few benefits of tulsi for you so that you can understand the powers of this plant:

Immunity Booster

Tulsi is a natural immunity-boosting ingredient as it is rich in Vitamin C and Zinc. The plant keeps infections at bay. Tulsi leaves have antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties that provide protection against various infections. The extract of the leaves increases the activity of the natural killer cells in our body, thus boosting the immune system. It is highly recommended for children who are born weak or lack immunity as they grow. That is why it is also used in cooking by Indian parents.

Decreases Body Pain

We have seen our older generations use tulsi in the body areas where they experience immense pain. It is known for reducing body aches because it is enriched with Eugenol, a terpene with pain-relieving properties. When used for painful areas in our body, it soothes and provides comfort. Doctors also recommend ointments and gels that have the goodness of Tulsi in them.

Reduces Respiratory Issues

Tulsi is rich in camphene, cineole, and eugenol, which reduces congestion in the chest. The plant helps to treat various respiratory disorders such as bronchitis and asthma. The camphene, cineole, and eugenol in tulsi work towards reducing respiratory problems in people. These ingredients are especially known for treating respiratory problems. People with acute respiratory problems should use tulsi to see the benefits in the long run. They should look for medicines that are made with the extracts of the plant.

Tulsi benefits are numerous as it is used to treat almost every health problem. These are just a few benefits that have made the plant so popular across the world. Tulsi has a lot of other benefits that most people have not discovered yet. When it is mixed with other medicines, oils, herbs, etc., the plant can cure almost any problem easily.

Uses of Tulsi Plant

Do you want to know what is the use of tulsi plant? Most people already know the benefits and uses of the tulsi plant; hence they always depend on it whenever there is a health problem. They also look for medicines that are enriched with the goodness of the plant. It is important to know about the uses and benefits of the tulsi plant as it is included in many medicine compositions. Let’s take a look at the uses of the tulsi plant:

• Tulsi helps to treat insect bites and protects us from diseases such as dengue, malaria, etc. It is used to keep insects and mosquitoes away.
• Tulsi uses also include treating fever in children and adults. The tulsi plant has an antipyretic and diaphoretic activity that induces sweating in the body. This normalizes the high body temperature during a fever.
• Tulsi plant is used to cure sore throat and tonsilitis in people. The plant acts as an adaptogen and has high anti-bacterial properties. It is the most effective home remedy to treat sore throat.
• The tulsi plant is used as a remedy for gastrointestinal issues and helps to increase appetite. It balances the acid refluxes and maintains the pH levels, thus making sure that a person is able to digest food properly.

Uses of Tulsi Leaves

People asking what is the use of tulsi leaves should know that the plant is an all-rounder. This is the only plant that has the highest amount of medicinal value. The uses of tulsi leaves are endless; here are some basic benefits of the leaves that everyone should know about:

Fights Stress

Tulsi is a natural herb that has anti-stress qualities. Sipping a cup of tulsi tea helps a person to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Most people suffering from intense stress and anxiety prefer to drink juices and tea made from tulsi leaves as it helps them to relax. People with acute depression should also drink juices made of tulsi if they want to calm their nerves and feel a little motivated.

Improves Digestion

Digestive problems are inevitable after a certain age, so it is important for people to know how to manage them. Tulsi leaves help to enhance the health of our liver and gut. People who drink juices made from the leaves of tulsi have better digestion and experience fewer gut problems. It flushes the toxins out of our bodies and cleanses the stomach. The leaves are enriched with anti-oxidants that improve the functioning of our digestive system.

Helps to Lose Weight

Are you also struggling to lose weight? Try to drink juices and tea that are enriched with tulsi leaves. Since tulsi leaves help to remove toxins from our body and improve gut health, it also contributes to losing weight. The leaves activate the metabolism rate in our body, thus increasing the fat-burning process. People who have high BMI should drink juices made of tulsi leaves daily so that they can shed extra weight.

Fights Diabetes

Nowadays, most people are either pre-diabetic or have diabetes owing to their sedentary lifestyle. Tulsi leaves are known for managing Type 2 Diabetes as it helps to improve pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin secretion. It also helps to manage diabetes-related ailments in people. If a pre-diabetic person consumes tulsi tea daily, they will be able to reverse diabetic symptoms in the body.

Improves Dental and Oral Health

Tooth cavity is the most common dental problem that most people, irrespective of their age, experience. The leaves of tulsi have antimicrobial properties that fight bacteria in the mouth. It also prevents the formation of a tooth cavity. Prevention of bad breath is also included among tulsi uses, so people should start utilizing the plant.

Side Effects of Tulsi

While there are such harmful side effects of tulsi, things can go adversely to benefit if one uses it in excess amount. The side effects can be listed as follows-

• Excess intake of Tulsi, either in the form of food or medicine, is linked with eugenol overdose. Eugenol is said to reduce respiratory problems, but an overdose could result in poisoning. The common symptoms of the same include fast breathing, blood present in the urine, and blood while coughing.
• Excessive use of Tulsi can result in the development of a condition known as Hypoglycemia. In this condition, the blood sugar level is lowered abnormally. This is mainly for diabetic people who use Tulsi to cure blood sugar levels. However, precaution is mandatory.
• Overuse of Tulsi for pregnant women can have an adverse effect on both the mother and the baby. It may cause increased uterine contractions and can create problems during labor or menstruation after pregnancy.
• Tulsi may lead to blood thinning. Thus, it is avoided in anti-clotting drugs.
• Overuse of Tulsi can have a negative effect on male fertility.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the uses of tulsi leaves that we have stated. If you are wondering what is the use of tulsi, then here is your answer. Tulsi is the only plant that has herbal properties to treat every kind of disease and disorder.

From treating mental health problems to skin diseases, tulsi is the only solution. The tulsi plant is also used to treat hair problems as it rejuvenates the hair follicles and strengthens the roots. To know more about the tulsi benefits one has to use the plant and see for themselves.