I first discovered tulsi quite by accident. I had ordered some bulk chamomile for those in my family who actually like it as tea. Personally, while I love the chamomile plant and its fragrance, its straw-like flavor does nothing for me. Anyway, when the tea arrived, it turned out to be a tulsi-chamomile blend — a pleasant surprise, since I think it is a thousand times tastier than straight chamomile!
Not long after that, an Indian-grandma/fellow-gardener gifted me some saved seeds from her tulsi plants. I started them straight away, and enjoyed fresh tulsi the same season. In short, I was enjoying this herb long before I learned of its amazing health benefits.
What is tulsi
Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), also called holy basil, is a medicinal member of the mint (Lamaceae) family. Native to Southeast Asia, this aromatic herb has been cultivated for thousands of years for therapeutic and ceremonial purposes.
In its native habitat, tulsi is a perennial plant that can grow to be a woody shrub. In cooler climates (USDA zones nine and below) it is generally treated as an annual. Tulsi is similar to culinary basil in shape and habit; but the stems are hairy, the leaves are serrated, and the flavor brings notes of spicy warmth and bright citrus.
In India, tulsi is considered sacred. The name is derived from Tulasī, a Sanskrit word meaning “the incomparable one.” According to legend, Tulasī was the earthly incarnation of a goddess who exhibited extraordinary endurance and purity of heart. When she returned to her heavenly realm, a part of her remained here as the tulsi plant.
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In Ayurvedic medicine, tulsi is one of the most highly regarded plants for balancing, healing and strengthening immunity. In Western medicine, it is recognized as an adaptogen — helping the body manage stress and regulate energy to promote resilience and serenity.
Traditional uses of tulsi
Due to its sacred status in India, tulsi is widely used in spiritual practices — including religious rituals and domestic offerings. Cultivating the plant is thought to bring divine protection and well-being, so it is grown in almost every household.
Speaking of protection, tulsi has been used to keep insects out of grain crops. Adding dried tulsi to stored grain helped prevent infestation from a variety of pests.
Tulsi also has traditional topical applications. Tulsi decoctions, infused oils and pastes have been used topically to soothe, heal, and enhance skin quality.
According to Ayurveda, tulsi plays an important role in balancing the body’s three doshas (governing energies). For thousands of years, it has been used to strengthen prana (the vital life force), relieve stress, and promote mental clarity.
Records of ancient Vedic rituals indicate that tulsi infusions were used as devotional offerings to clear away impurities of the body and spirit.
Chaitanya manuscripts of the 12th century discuss tulsi tonics seasoned with ginger and black pepper for restoring balance. After the British colonized India, tulsi tonics became popular preventatives against increasingly common fevers and digestive problems.
Many Indians get their daily dose of tulsi by chewing fresh leaves; but others say — whether out of respect for the goddess or to prevent releasing mercury into the mouth — it is better to swallow them whole.
[That’s right, tulsi can absorb heavy metals present in the soil; so its leaves contain a trace amount of mercury. This element is said to be released in the chewing process, with the potential to cause discoloration or damage to your teeth. Although chewing tulsi leaves every single day has not been proven harmful, you might consider choosing your other options to stay on the safe side.]
In any case, tulsi’s benefits outweigh the risks, even by scientific standards.
Medicinal properties of tulsi
Modern science backs the use of tulsi for many of its traditional uses, as research has unveiled powerful phytochemicals present in tulsi that work synergistically to support health and well-being. Key organic compounds include:
These compounds are believed to work in concert to help strengthen immunity and resilience, reduce stress and discomfort, and support general health and well-being.
How to grow tulsi
Tulsi starts readily from seed, just like basil. Seeds should be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your final frost date. Since they need continuous warmth (70-80°F) to germinate, a small heating mat is recommended. After the seedlings emerge, carefully separate them into individual cells, and make sure they get plenty of sunlight. Wait until soil temperatures remain above 50°F to plant tulsi outdoors, after a week of “hardening off” (gradually transitioning the plants to their new environment).
If you have access to a live plant, you can quickly propagate new plants from cuttings. Snip young sprigs, about five inches long, and remove the lower leaves. Place the cuttings in clean water or moist soil, making sure the node where the leaves were removed is covered — this is where most of the roots will come from. Change the water every few days to keep it clean, or, if you are using soil, keep it moist. In a warm, well-lit space, the cuttings should develop roots within three weeks. Then, pot up your plants and move them to a sunny spot, and eventually outdoors.
Tulsi tolerates a variety of soil conditions, but needs warmth and plenty of sunlight. Regular water and occasional feeding with compost or compost tea will keep your plants healthy and productive.
After it reaches about 10 inches tall, tulsi can be harvested continuously through the growing season. Pinch off tips above the nodes to promote more growth. Unlike culinary basil, flowering has no negative effect on the flavor of tulsi, so you can let it bloom and use the blossoms as well. Tulsi is known to self-sow, however, so exercise caution if you let seeds ripen on the stalk. In some warmer areas of the US, tulsi is regarded as an invasive plant.
Tulsi has zero frost tolerance, so if you want it to live through a cold winter, you’ll need to bring it indoors. To overwinter a potted tulsi, allow for gradual acclimation to its indoor environment well in advance of freezing temperatures.
If your tulsi plants are in the ground, or you don’t have enough window space for the pot they are in, consider propagating a “houseplant” in the early fall from stem cuttings. That way, you can harvest the rest for drying at the end of the season, and you’ll have a head start when propagating in the spring.
Either way, give your indoor tulsi a super-sunny window — free from drafts or extreme heat — and avoid over-watering.
How to use tulsi
Tulsi is tasty enough to be taken to the table. It is used in many Asian dishes — including curries, stir-fries, soups, and various rice dishes. To ensure that you get all the benefits and flavor tulsi has to offer, add it towards the end of cooking.
Tulsi’s unique flavor is especially complimentary to coconut milk, ginger, chili, tomatoes, and citrus. Traditionally, it is not paired with onions or garlic, as these indulgent foods conflict with the spiritual nature of tulsi.
Probably the most popular way to enjoy tulsi is as a tea. Again, high temperatures can damage many of the beneficial compounds and dampen the flavor, so let your boiled water rest a moment before making your brew.
Use about eight fresh leaves (lightly crushed) or 1 tsp dry tulsi per cup of hot (200°F) water. Steep for about seven minutes and enjoy.
Tulsi is bright and uplifting on its own, but it also blends splendidly with other herbs and spices. Lemon balm, rose petals, ginger, pepper, rooibos, cinnamon, cardamom, mint, and even medicinal mushrooms make a nice match — not to mention chamomile!
Where Western herbalists reach for tinctures as their go-to extract, Ayurvedic practitioners use arks. These steam-distilled extractions are highly concentrated and used in small amounts, similar to tinctures. You can make an ark at home without complicated equipment.
One or two drops of ark can be added to warm water or other herbal infusions and consumed like tea.
Given its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, tulsi-infused oils help soothe and protect troubled skin and hair.
Applied topically, tulsi-infused oil can help with skin irritations, insect bites, minor fungal infections, and acne. Used as a massage oil, it can help with stress relief and relaxation; and applied to the scalp it can help stimulate hair growth and control dandruff.
Tulsi-infused olive oil will brighten any dish it is drizzled on.
Infuse honey with tulsi in much the same way. Tulsi-infused honey can be taken by the spoonful as a cough suppressant, or added to hot water and sipped for sore throats.
Tulsi is generally considered safe in moderate amounts, but high doses or concentrated extracts can aggravate certain conditions.
If you have existing gastrointestinal issues, are taking blood-thining medication, are pregnant, or are prone to skin rashes, irritability or heartburn, please consult your physician before taking tulsi medicinally.
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