Tulsi, A Sacred Plant In Hinduism, Has An Old History Of Benefits. Even The Ancient Ayurveda Has Mentions Of Tulsi And Its Numerous Uses And Fantastic Health Benefits.

Tulsi, a sacred plant in Hinduism, has been extensively used as a medicinal herb from ancient times. Even the ancient Ayurveda has mentions of Tulsi and its numerous uses and fantastic health benefits. Tulsi or Basil is a fragrant herb that works wonders if consumed as Tulsi water on an empty stomach in the early morning. The leaves of this herb are filled with numerous important antioxidants that boost the working of our digestive system and helps in easy digestion of the consumed food.

Nutritional value of Tulsi extract. 

The nutritional value of this herb is significantly high and consists of the following;

  1. Vitamin A and C – they have antioxidant activity. They are useful in overriding harmful molecules that are produced within your cells and tissues. These harmful molecules may cause damage or a particular disease.
  2. The right amount of Calcium – a vital nutrient for bone health. It plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy communication between the brain and other parts of the body.
  3. Zinc – a necessary element for a healthy immune system. It also helps in fast healing of wounds and promotes healthy growth during childhood.
  4. Iron – an essential mineral for the proper functioning of hemoglobin. It also plays an essential role in regulating the body temperature as well as the immune system.
  5. Chlorophyll – rich in vitamins, antioxidants as well as have therapeutic properties. It stimulates the immune system, works wonder in detoxifying the blood, and energizes your body.

Health benefits of Drinking Tulsi water in the morning. 

Tulsi, as a whole plant, has several health benefits. Each part of the herb can be used for various purposes, such as – flowers, leaves, and seeds, or the complete plant. Different ointments, pills, and essential oils are prepared from this herb for the treatment of various ailments.

Some of the other benefits of drinking Tulsi water first thing in the morning are as follows;

  • BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION – Tulsi water is an excellent choice for regulating blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Daily consumption of Tulsi water also helps facilitate the metabolism of carbs and fats, ensuring that the sugar in the blood is utilized for energy. Tulsi helps in improving the functioning of the pancreatic beta-cell and is also effective in significantly reducing the fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels.
  • PREVENTS RESPIRATORY DISORDERS – Tulsi water is filled with various anti-allergic, as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, daily consumption of Tulsi water not only prevents various respiratory disorders but also helps ease allergic reactions, cough, and cold.
  • LUNG DISORDER – Tulsi essential oil consists of components like vitamin C, Camphene, Eugenol, and Cineole. These components help in curing lung infections and also promote fast healing of the damaged lungs due to smoking. A juice prepared from Tulsi leaves mixed with other products like honey and ginger helps reduce bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough, and cold.
  • BEATS STRESS – stress has become part of our daily lifestyle. From the moment we wake up to the time when we go back to sleep at night, there is always a particular form of stress in our mind. Tulsi water helps in keeping the stress away and boosts our memory as well. Tulsi tea is very useful in maintaining the body’s normal levels of cortisol (stress hormone). Tulsi helps in lowering the level of cortisol in the body. Tulsi has been shown to have antidepressant and antianxiety properties similar to antidepressant drugs.
  • AIDS WEIGHT LOSS – consuming Tulsi water every day improves the metabolic activities in the body. The faster the metabolism, the sooner you’ll be able to burn body calories. This, in turn, helps in removing the unwanted fat and reduces body weight. It also keeps a check on the harmful cholesterol levels in the body, which may lead to obesity.
  • REMOVES TOXINS FROM THE BODY – as Tulsi water is filled with several antioxidants, it helps in digestion, cleansing the stomach, and removes toxins from our body.
  • USEFUL IN KIDNEY STONES AND GOUTY ARTHRITIS – as mentioned earlier as well, Tulsi detoxifies the body by eliminating toxins from the body and its richness in diuretic properties. Tulsi also helps decrease the level of uric acid in the body, which is the primary reason for the development of kidney stones. Tulsi also helps in providing relief to patients suffering from Gout.
  • ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES – Tulsi consists of phytochemicals that have strong antioxidant properties. Therefore, they are useful in protecting various skin, liver, and oral and lung cancers.
  • FIGHTS BAD BREATH – Tulsi leaves are overloaded with antibacterial properties, useful for fighting off bad breath. Tulsi leaves are used as toothpaste and are a primary component in several kinds of toothpaste.
  • KEEPS THE HEART SAFE – Tulsi leaves are rich in Eugenol, a therapeutic compound that helps in protecting the heart by keeping in check your body’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  • FLAWLESS SKIN – drinking Tulsi water helps in removing toxins from our blood. Tulsi also has antifungal properties that prevent the development of fungus. Thus, once our body becomes healthy and toxins free, the occurrence of pimples and acne also reduces manifold. The antioxidants present in leaves also prevent premature aging.
  • PROTECTION AGAINST INFECTIONS AND AIDS HEALING – Tulsi leaf extract is overloaded with antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. These properties of Tulsi aid the fast healing of wounds as well as protect them against any form of infection.

HOW TO MAKE TULSI WATER? 

Now that you have known the several benefits of drinking Tulsi water early in the morning, you can follow a few simple steps to make your own Tulsi water.

  • Soak some tulsi leaves in water, leave it overnight, and drink the tulsi water first in the morning on an empty stomach. You can also make some tulsi water ahead and store it in a tumbler and keep sipping through the day.

                                                                  OR  

  • Take a relatively medium-sized pot and put about two cups of water
  • Pour 2 cups of water in a pan.
  • Put the pan into flames.
  • Allow the water to boil
  • Turn off the fire and add a handful of Tulsi leaves in hot water. Cover the tea for about 20 minutes. Then, strain off the tea from the leaves.
  • Then serve the tea, you can consider adding honey or sugar to improve the taste.
  • Enjoy the Tulsi tea.

Tulsi is a miracle herb, with tons of medicinal properties that have been well-researched and documented. Ensure that you incorporate Tulsi extract in some form of your daily diet to ensure that you get all the health benefits by consuming the wonder herb.

Dr. Kamna Desai

Dietitian, Mumbai

A qualified Dietitian from Mumbai with over 20 years of expertise in the field of health and nutrition.