Tulsi, The Holy Basil has been called the Elixir of Life. Every part of this magical plant has immense benefits. From the leaves, roots to the seed, holy basil is considered a tonic for the body, mind, and spirit. Let’s see how we can nurture this plant in our homes for a healthier life and overall well-being.

Tulsi, has been an integral part of Indian culture and Ayurveda. It is of great spiritual importance and is deeply ingrained in our religious practices. In traditional Hindu households, it was very common to have a tulsi plant right in the middle of the courtyard. I vividly remember as kids we would offer prayers to the Tulsi plant in our house. My grandmother would take special care of the Tulsi plant and keep shifting it to protect it from scorching heat or strong winds in the balcony. Then on the day of Diwali, we would make prasad at home and tulsi leaves were added to it. We used to relish it.

Every part of the plant – from the leaves to the stem, flower, root, seeds, and oil, is considered sacred. According to Ayurveda, consuming tulsi helps balance Kapha and Vata doshas, nourishes the body’s deep tissues, prevents diseases, and enhances overall well-being.

And this traditional knowledge is now mainstream. It is extensively researched within the scientific community. You can easily find many supplements at medical stores or on Amazon, with Tulsi as the main ingredient. These include tulsi tablets, drops, tulsi green tea, and so on. I am not a big fan of supplements and use them only sometimes when we are traveling. Green tea contains caffeine. Since I don’t consume caffeine, I am sharing links of some Tulsi green teas which are caffeine free. Feel free to check them out.

• Himalaya Wellness Tulasi
• Dabur Tulsi Drops
• Organic India the Tulsi Original
• Organic India Tulsi Ginger

At home, I prefer to use the leaves from the tulsi plant directly.

Tulsi has been an integral part of my life, be it my morning cup of warm green tea with a floating tulsi leaf, or the very act of worshipping the holy plant or offering gratitude for its immense benefits. I have been taking tulsi leaves in various forms for years now.

Unlike my Grandparent’s place, we don’t have huge courtyards now to place the plant in the middle. But that should not stop me from having my own holy basil. We can grow it in the backyard, or just in a pot kept in the balcony or close to the window.

Every morning, I pinch off the top leaves and buds. This encourages growth on the lower nodes of the plant. It also makes the plant grow bushier. I wash the leaves and add a few to a jar of water in the morning. We then consume this water during the day. I also boil them for making my green tea. I usually need 5-10 leaves for a couple of cups.

I play around with some additional ingredients to have variety and flavour. Sometimes, I add a touch of honey and ginger. I also love to add a dash of cinnamon and cardamom for that immunity boost. Enjoying this healthy cup of tea, has become a soothing part of my morning routine. I sit by the window or balcony where I have the tulsi plant, exploring its beauty and offering gratitude as I take a sip from that warm cup. It’s soothing. It’s relaxing. It’s magical. I will tell you a small secret. When I hold this warm cup in my hands there is this affirmation which I keep repeating in my head – “My cup runneth over”. My dear friend Ferzana had told me about it. It means – I have more than enough for all my needs. It’s an awesome feeling sipping that warm healthy drink and thinking about the abundance you have in your life.

It’s great if you can buy a plant directly from a nearby nursery. There are many varieties of basil, like sweet basil, Thai basil, red basil, lettuce basil, and so on. So make sure that you are buying the right one – The Holy basil.

But if the plant is not available, Tulsi can be propagated by seeds or by cuttings.

If you are using seeds, just spread them on top, and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Then spray water regularly.

To propagate holy basil from cuttings, Cut a branch at an angle, about 5-6 inches long, just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting and place the cutting in water. Keep changing the water frequently. Wait until the roots develop. Then you can transplant it into a pot or your garden.

Tulsi grows well in loamy soil with good drainage. This plant needs a lot of light. So better keep it outdoors or by the window. When watering, just make sure that the soil is kept moist but not drenched and soggy. Holy Basil is native to tropical regions, and an average temperature of 20-25 degrees is ideal. If you live in cold places, you may need to keep it indoors, especially during winter.

Tulsi is a potent adaptogen. Adaptogens are active compounds found in specific plants and mushrooms that can alleviate stress and anxiety. Today, stress is a significant factor in many lifestyle diseases. Some doctors are using tulsi and tulsi drops to help treat symptoms of depression. However, it is important to note that tulsi cannot fully replace counseling or medication. But Can it help? Yes, definitely.

Holy basil is also rich in antioxidants and helps your body detox. Science shows that tulsi has cleansing properties to help flush out the toxins from our body.

Tulsi has strong antimicrobial properties. Tulsi and tulsi extract are commonly found in mainstream medications that aim to prevent the growth of pathogens and bacteria.

Tulsi is Anti-diabetic. Tulsi drops have been used for coughs, colds and fever. Tulsi has skin care benefits. I could go on and on about the innumerable benefits. But I hope I have driven the point home.

The point is not that by just consuming tulsi, all diseases will vanish, but tulsi coupled with necessary lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in your physical and mental health.

I hope you found this article helpful. I would strongly advise having a Tulsi plant at home, be it in the balcony or by the window.