An impressive array of health promoting, disease preventing and life prolonging properties of Tulsi have been described and documented over five millennia. In the past few decades, many of these benefits have been investigated and verified by modern scientific research. Current research offers substantial evidence that Tulsi protects against and reduces stress; enhances stamina and endurance; increases the body’s efficient use of oxygen; boosts the immune system; reduces inflammation; protects against radiation damage; lessens aging factors; supports the heart, lungs and liver; has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties; enhances the efficacy of many other therapeutic treatments; and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients.

Overall, Tulsi is a premier adaptogen, helping the body and mind to adapt and cope with a wide range of physical, emotional, chemical and infectious stresses, and restores disturbed physiological and psychological functions to a normal healthy state. These general vitality enhancing and health promoting properties, in addition to Tulsi’s many more specific therapeutic actions, likely account for much of the exceptionally broad range of Tulsi’s traditional medical uses, as well as contributing to its mythological importance and religious sanctity.

Tulsi's Botanical Identity
Tulsi is identified by botanists primarily as Ocimum sanctum (Rama and Krishna Tulsi varieties) or more recently Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Ocimum gratissimum (Vana Tulsi variety). Belonging to the Lamiaceae/Labiatae mint family, these and other closely related species and varieties (e.g., Ocimum canum) are cousins of the familiar sweet basil cooking herb Ocimum basilicum. Highly aromatic, different varieties of Tulsi may smell and taste of peppermint, cloves, licorice or lemon, as well as having distinct characteristics of their own. The leaves of Tulsi are most commonly used for their health benefits, although all parts of the plant, including the roots, stems, flowers and seeds, have significant and differing medicinal and religious symbolic properties. Tulsi beads, made from the woody stalks, are commonly strung in necklaces, bracelets, and meditation malas or rosaries, which are believed by many to have spiritual as well as physical protection benefits.

Tulsi's Chemistry
The chemical composition of Tulsi is highly complex, containing many nutrients and other biologically active compounds. The nutritional and pharmacological properties of the whole herb in its natural form, result from synergistic interactions of many different active phytochemicals. Although Tulsi is known as a general vitalizer and increases physical endurance, it contains no caffeine or other stimulants. Tulsi is traditionally taken in a variety of forms, including fresh or dried leaf tea infusions (herbal teas), ground or powdered leaf, alcohol tinctures, poultices and oil preparations, as well as seed, root and stem formulations, both internally and topically.