Tulsi The Divine Herbal Medicine, Tulsi or basil is a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. Here's a list of some medicinal uses of tulsi, from Healthlibrary: 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. Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilise mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu. For earache a few drops of tulsi extract, if instilled, relieves the symptoms promptly. The juice of fresh leaves, flower tops and slender roots is a very god antidote for snake and scorpion bite. Its oil is rich in vitamin C, carotene, calcium and phosphorus. Besides, it has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Ayurvedic tulsi preparations have significantly reduced the symptoms of viral hepatitis. In diabetics it helps in lowering the blood sugar level. Its anti-spasmodic property can be utilised to relieve abdominal colics. The extracts are also helpful in digestive disorders. Tulsi leaves have properties similar to the currently available anti-TB drugs like Streptomycin and Isoniazide. Oil of tulsi has been used as a potent anti-malarial drug. It also has mosquito repellent properties. It raises the human body immunity by increasing the antibody production. Experimental studies on animals have shown anti-stress activity with tulsi extract. Tulsi has anti-fertility effect by reducing the estrogen hormone levels in females and decreasing the sperm count in men. It is also used to treat ringworm of the skin.
The Ayurvedic Texts say that all substances found in nature have a medicinal value provided these are used appropriately. The medicines are meant to eradicate the disease itself rather than simply the symptoms. Following are some simple ayurvedic formulations that you can begin to use for simple treatments at home. Ayurveda also uses gems and metals in its formulations. However here we shall confine ourselves to the use of herbs, vegetables and fruits. Just as for medicines so these same can be used for cosmetics and fragrances, the important point to remember is that in all Ayurvedic formulations the active constituents must be able to be absorbed in the skin and ingested too. ACIDITY, INDIGESTION Aniseed: A teaspoon of aniseed in a cup of boiling water. Leave it overnight, Seive and take it with a little bit of honey. Celery: celery seeds soaked in buttermilk for five to six hours and then ground in the same buttermilk relieves indigestion. Cinnamon: Cinnamon checks nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It stimulates digestion. A tablespoon of cinnamon water, prepared as for cold and taken half an hour after meals, relieves flatulence and indigestion. Ginger: Chewing of ginger regularly after your meals prevents acidity and indigestion. COMMON COLD Ginger: The herb is an excellent remedy for coughs and colds. Extracted juice of ginger with honey is taken three or four times a day in case of coughs. Holy Basil: A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is effective remedy for cold. They should be boiled in water and then taken. Pepper: Six pepper seeds finely ground and mixed in a glass of warm water taken for a few nights for good results. CONSTIPATION Liquorice: Liquorice is used as a laxative in constipation. Its powder is taken with jaggery and water. Tamarind: Pulp of the ripe fruit is beneficial in the treatmentof constipation and indigestion. COUGH/ SORE THROAT Ginger: The herb is an excellent remedy for coughs and colds. Extracted juice of ginger with honey is taken three or four times a day in case of coughs. Holy Basil: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as a drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle. Liquorice: The herb is a recognized home remedy for sore throat. A small piece of raw liquorice if chewed or sucked, provides relief by soothing the inflammation. Pepper: Pepper is an effective remedy for coughs caused due to throat irritation. Three peppers sucked with a pinch of caraway seed and a crystal of common salt provides relief. FALLING HAIR AND DANDRUFF Curry Leaves: The leaves, bark and the root of the curry plant are used in indigenous medicine as a tonic for falling hair. Rosemary: Shampoos and hair lotions containing the pure extract of rosemary rejuvenate the scalp and hair while preventing dandruff and premature baldness. Sage: The herbs is useful in preventing grey hair if blended in hair tonics. HEADACHES AND MIGRAINE Clove: A paste of clove and salt crystals in milk is a common household remedy for headaches. INSOMNIA Nutmeg: The powder of nutmeg, mixed with fresh amla (green gooseberry)juice, is also an effective medicine for insomnia, irritability and depression. Poppy Seeds: About 30 grams of milk extracted from the seeds mixed with sugar can be used for treating insomnia. A teaspoon of poppy seed oil taken every night is also very effective. PIMPLES / ACNE Coriander: A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder, is an effective remedy for pimples, blackheads and dry skin. Sandalwood: This oil mixed with twice its quantity of mustard oil is used for removing pimples. TOOTHACHE Asafoetida: Asafoetida is useful in alleviating toothache. After being ground in lemon juice, it is slightly heated. A cotton piece, soaked in the lotion and placed in the cavity of the tooth, relieves pain. Margosa: Cleaning the teeth regularly with a margosa twig prevents gum it relieves toothache.