Texts of ayurveda describe the properties of tulsi as follows.
It is light to digest and dries tissue secretions. Tulsi tastes hot and bitter. It can penetrate deep tissues and has anti helmenthic properties. Due to these properties it normalizes kapha and vata. Leaves, flowers, seeds and roots of Tulsi are used in ayurvedic preparations.
Warm clove, pepper and cumin seeds (jeera) on a hot pan. Powder this with the help of mortar and pestle. Finely chop tulsi leaves and tender barks of tulsi. Mix clove, pepper, cumin seeds and tulsi leaves. Pound this mixture in mortar till it becomes coarse. Boil 4 cups of water in a saucepan and add the coarsely ground ingredients. Allow it to boil till the water content reduces to one cup. Filter the decoction and allow it to warm down. Add honey when decoction is luke warm. Lemon juice can be added to this .
Uses of Tulsi tea:
Regular consumption of Tulsi tea helps to detoxify skin. This herbal drink helps to prevent acne eruption, dark circles, flaring up of psoriasis, allergic rashes and other skin infections. Tulsi tea is an effective home remedy to relieve constipation, indigestion and it acts as an appetizer. Regular consumption of tulsi tea reduces inflammation of joints in conditions like arthritis and gout. It reduces blood sugar and blood cholesterol level. Thus it is helpful in conditions like diabetes. Tulsi tea rejuvenates liver and reduces inflammation of liver. Hence texts of ayurveda recommend use of tulsi in jaundice and other liver diseases.
Tulsi tea when consumed regularly acts as a nervine tonic. It increases memory power, reduces migraine headache and acts as a stress buster. Tulsi tea is an age old remedy for cough, common cold and throat pain. Regular use of tulsi tea helps to boost immunity of lungs and respiratory system. It acts as an expectorant and relieves the blocked airways of bronchial tree. Seeds of tulsi can be added to the list of ingredients while making tulsi tea.
Tulsi seeds are effective in premature ejaculation and also increase quantity of semen. Pepper, cumin seeds, honey and clove impart a wonderful flavor to tea and enhance the medicinal properties of tulsi tea. Honey is called as “Yogavahi”. The substance which has a quality of penetrating the deepest tissue is called as Yogavahi. When honey is used with other herbal preparations it enhances the medicinal qualities of those preparations and also helps them to reach the deeper tissues.
Texts of ayurveda describe the properties of tulsi as follows. 