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Common name: Holy basil, Tulsi तुलसी (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu), Trittavu (Malayalam), Tulshi
(Marathi)
Botanical name: Ocimum sanctum Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is a widely grown, sacred plant of India. Hindus grow
Tulsi as a religious plant in their homes, temples and their farms. They use
Tulsi leaves in routine worship. Tulsi, grown as a pot plant, is found in
almost every traditional Hindu house. The natural habitat of Tulsi
varies from sea level to an altitude of 2000 m. It is found growing naturally
in moist soil nearly all over the globe.
Tulsi is a branched, fragrant and erect herb having hair all over. It
attains a height of about 75 to 90 cm when mature. Its leaves are nearly
round and up to 5 cm long with the margin being entire or toothed. These are
aromatic because of the presence of a kind of scented oil in them. A variety
with green leaves is called Shri Tulsi and one with reddish leaves is called
Krishna Tulsi. Tulsi flowers are small having purple to reddish color, present
in small compact clusters on cylindrical spikes. The fruits are small and the
seeds yellow to reddish in color.
Medicinal uses: Because of its medicinal virtues, Tulsi is
used in Ayurvedic preparations for treating various ailments.
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