Abstract

TULSI-A VISHGANA DRAVYA

Akshu Sharma*, Manisha Dikshit and Ashwani K. Som

.

Abstract

Hindu people worship holy basil. It's considered the "Mother Medicine of Nature." It’s been revered since ancient times as an herb that can promote a healthy body, mind, and spirit. The sacred plant is often planted around Hindu shrines. The name Tulsi means "the incomparable one. Ayurveda with its focus on healthy lifestyle practices and regular consumption of adaptogenic herbs. Of all the herbs used within Ayurveda, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) is preeminent, and scientific research is now confirming its beneficial effects. Tulsi has been found to protect organs and tissues against chemical stress from industrial pollutants and heavy metals, and physical stress from prolonged physical exertion, ischemia, physical restraint and exposure to cold and excessive noise. Tulsi's broadspectrum antimicrobial activity, which includes activity against a range of human and animal pathogens. In traditional systems of medicine, different parts (leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant) of Ocimum sanctum Linn (known as Tulsi in Hindi), a small herb seen throughout India, have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, insect bite etc. The Ocimum sanctum L. has also been suggested to possess antifertility, anticancer, ant diabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardio protective, antiemetic, antispasmodic, analgesic, adaptogenic and diaphoretic actions.

Keywords: Anti-microbial, Ocimum sanctum, Adaptogenic herbs.