Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Tulsi/Basil  Tulsi grows in abundance throughout Bengal.  One can spot small tulsi plants in almost every household here. Scientifically named ‘Ocimum basilicum',  Tulsi or Basil is also known as Mishti Tulsi, Babui Tulsi, and Dulal Tulsi.  This widely loved culinary herb belongs to the family Lamiaceae (mints).  Tulsi is cultivated in different parts of southwest Bengal, though it can also grow in the wilds.  Tulsi has gained its English name ‘Basil’ from the Latin word ‘Basilius’, meaning ‘royal’ or ‘kingly’.  This name has its probable roots in the history of Tulsi being used in the production of high-quality perfumes that smelled quite royal. Tulsi is an erect branching herb, with the skin mostly smooth. Has long, oval, sharp, whole, slightly serrated, or lobed leaves with a cuneate base.  The sizes of these leaves range between 3 to 11 cm long. Tiny white-pink or purplish flowers bloom from the central inflorescence or spike, emer...

Thulasi - Holy basil - Sacred to Lord Vishnu This is Holy basil in English and Thulasi in Tamil, and Tulsi in Hindi. The entire plant is considered to be very sacred and is auspicious to Lord Vishnu. This plant is considered to be a form of Goddess Lakshmi. Based on Hindu customs this plant is placed in a pot called 'maadam'. This maadam is placed or constructed either in front of house or at back of house based on Vaastu or fengshui. The ladies regarded as sumangali does pooja to this plant daily in the dawn after shower. She has to clean the pot, put sandal tikka and kumkum tikka on the pot and decorates it with flowers. Lamp has to be lit in front of it. After reciting mantras aarti has to be shown. One who does regular pooja to Tulsi matha, is benefitted with a pleasant life and longitivity of their husband's life span. Garland of cotton with turmeric and kumkum(saffron) tikka is special to tulsi matha and doing such garland gives a prosperous life. ...

Basil   Botanical Name(s): Ocimum Sanctum Family Name: Lamiaceae Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Ocimum Species: O. basilicum Popular Name(s): Basil, Common Basil, French Basil, Garden Basil, Sacred Basil, Holy Basil, Tulsi, Royal Herb, Luole, Sweet Basil. Parts Used: Leaves, Seeds. Habitat: Found throughout India Description The term ‘basil’ has been derived from a Greek word ‘basileus’, which means ‘king’. It is a tender, low-growing herb that reaches a height of 1 to 2 feet. The stem of the plant bears many leaves, having a characteristic purple hue or coloration. The flowers are peculiar, in having two lips. The flower color can vary from pure white to pure red, with a slight purple tinge in some flowers. Basil is native to India, Iran and other tropical regions of Asia and has been grown there for more than 5,000 years. It is now cultivated throughout the world, as a flavoring herb in many cuisi...

Drinking Tulasi Theertham – Medicated Water and Taste Sense Activated The water used for theertham usually would contain Thulasi leaves dipped in water and must be stored at least for eight hours in the copper vessel. According to Ayurveda, water stored in a copper vessel has the ability to balance all the three doshas in your body, (vata, kapha and pitta) and it does so by positively charging the water. By drinking this Thulasi water you activate the taste sense.  The other benefits of drinking Thulasi water from a copper vessel also includes cure for soar throats, Fever & Common Cold, Coughs, Respiratory Disorder, formation of Kidney Stone, Heart Disorder chances will be reduced. - Sri Eswaran

Tulasi – India’s Most Sacred Plant Yanmoole sarva tirthaani yannagre sarva devataa Yanmadhye sarva vedaascha Tulasi taam namaamyaham. I bow down to the Tulasi, at whose base (the roots) are all the holy places, at whose top reside all the deities (divinity), and in whose middle are all the Vedas. Tulasi is a gentle female energy, a sweet little goddess, and should be treated like the queen she is – the queen of medicinal plants. For she is also a plant of power, a powerful lady, a friend, a physician and an ally. When you have Tulasi around, you are protected, and she will bring beauty, health, elegance and grace into your life. Wherever there is Tulasi Mayi there is pavitrata, purity, for she is the great purifier, both of the body and of the environment. If you plant nine or eleven Tulasi trees in your garden the air will be pure within a wide radius, and bacteria-free. She is one of those trees that possess divine qualities to invoke the descent of devatas, i...

Mantra to Chant While Plucking Tulsi Leaves – When and How to Pluck Leaves From Tulsi Plant  Tulsi plant is the most sacred plant in Hinduism and it is associated with Krishna. Below is the mantra and rules on plucking leaves. Mantra to Chant While Plucking Tulsi Leaves is as follows: Matasattulsi Govind Hridayanandkarini Narayanasaya Pujarth Chinomi Tavam Namostute When and How to Pluck Leaves From Tulsi Plant As per Vayu Purana, Tulsi plant should be touched only after taking bath. Tulsi leaves should be plucked after offering prayers to Krishna and Mata Tulsi. Permission should be taken from Goddess Tulsi before plucking leaves. Do not pluck Tulsi leaves with an impure mind. Talking and picking or plucking tulsi leaves is considered inauspicious. Keep the mind focussed on the plant or Bhagavan while plucking the leaves. Picking Tulsi while having negative thoughts, anger, hatred, ill feeling will cause harm the person plucking the leaves. The leaves that have fallen ...

Things To Take Care While Planting A Tulsi At Home  Tulsi plant is considered to be the most divine and holy plant. It is considered as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. In the Skanda Purana, Hari Bhakti Vilasa states, “just by touching Her (Tulsi plant), one becomes pure.” It is believed that all kinds of sinful people, even a murderer of a Brahmana can become pure by circulating the pure Tulsi. Not only is it religiously important but is also considered as a very vital source of many medicinal properties. This plant is considered auspicious for any thing you do in your life and every home should have her. considered to be the best season for growing this plant.  Before planting or placing a Tulsi plant it is very important to keep in mind the Vastu rules and regulations. This will enable the plant to produce positive vibrations and eradicate all the unnecessary happenings from the lives of the people who stay at that house. Plant should be placed where you get...

In Indian Culture Why do we worship Tulasi? Either in the front, back or central court yard of most Indian homes there is a tulasi-matham - an altar being tulasi plant. In the present day apartments too, many maintain a potted tulasi plant. The lady of the house lights a lamp, waters the plant, worships and circumambulates it. The stem, leaves, seeds and even the soil, which provides it a base, are considered holy.   A tulasi leaf is always placed in the food offered to the Lord. It is also offered to the Lord during poojas, especially to Lord Vishnu and His incarnations. Why do we worship the tulasi? In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulasi. For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact, it is known to be the only thing used in worship which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying. Why is tulsi sacred? As one story goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of Shankhach...

Tulsi Puja Requirements: Tulsi Plant, Kumkum, Water, Clay lamp with ghee and wick, Matchbox, Flowers, Fruits Day : Any Day Time : Morning and Evening Tulsi is a sacred plant which can be found in almost every Hindu's home. Tulsi Pooja (Worship of Tulsi) is observed almost every day. Following things are required for Tulsi Puja. The sacred plant, Tulsi is regarded as the incarnation of the goddess Mahalakshmi. Tulsi represents duty, dedication, love, virtue and sorrow of all women. That is why this herb is usually worshipped by women of all age groups. To begin Tulsi Puja, one is required to take a bath. Decorate the pot where Tulsi is grown. Offer water to the sacred plant. Apply kumkum on one of its leaf. A length of red cloth can be wrapped along the stem. Offer red flower to the sacred herb, Tulsi. Offer fruits by placing them near the pot. Light the clay lamp and perform aarti to complete the Tulsi Puja. People usually take a leaf of Tulsi after the Puja and put it ...

The Prominence Of A Tulsi Plant. All traditional families maintain a 'tulsi' plant at home as it is an integral part of our culture. Well, there are more reasons to have a tulsi at home. Tulsi plants in house brings prosperity,   The leaves of tulsi are said to be therapeutic. They contain medicinal properties too. There is one more additional benefit of having tulsi in your backyard. It repels mosquitoes and other small insects. If you are a person who believes in ghosts and spirits, then rest assured; tulsi repels such negative influences too. In certain parts of India, this plant is considered very sacred and people literally worship it both at home and in temples. Eat a tulsi leaf every day. It is good for your health and is considered to be medicinal by many. In fact, it comes with anti-microbial properties too. Tulsi leaves also have the potential to purify your blood. They also keep your skin and hair healthy. As it contains antioxidants and immune boosting compounds,...

108 names of Tulasi 1. om shri tulasyai namah 2. om nandinyai namah 3. om devyai namah 4. om shikhinyai namah 5. om dharinyai namah 6. om dhatryai namah 7. om savitryai namah 8. om satyasandhayai namah 9. om kalaharinyai namah 10. om gauryai namah 11. om devagitayai namah 12. om draviyasyai namah 13. om padminyai namah 14. om sitayai namah 15. om rukminyai namah 16. om priyabhuushanayai namah 17. om shreyasyai namah 18. om shrimatyai namah 19. om manyayai namah 20. om gauryai namah 21. om gautamarchitayai namah 22. om tretayai namah 23. om tripathagayai namah 24. om tripadayai namah 25. om traimuurtyai namah 26. om jagatrayayai namah 27. om trasinyai namah 28. om gatrayai namah 29. om gatriyayai namah 30. om garbhavarinyai namah 31. om shobhanayai namah 32. om samayai namah 33. om dviradayai namah 34. om aradyai namah 35. om yagyavidyayai namah 36. om mahavidyayai namah 37. om guhyavidyayai namah 38. om kamaksyai namah 39. om kulayai namah 40. om shriyai namah 41. om bhuumy...

Tulasi Most Sacred Plant...........     Yanmoole sarva tirthaani yannagre sarva devataa     Yanmadhye sarva vedaascha Tulasi taam namaamyaham.     I bow down to the Tulasi, at whose base (the roots) are all the holy places, at whose top reside all the deities (divinity), and in whose middle are all the Vedas. Tulasi is a gentle female energy, a sweet little goddess, and should be treated like the queen she is – the queen of medicinal plants. For she is also a plant of power, a powerful lady, a friend, a physician and an ally. When you have Tulasi around, you are protected, and she will bring beauty, health, elegance and grace into your life. Wherever there is Tulasi Mayi there is pavitrata, purity, for she is the great purifier, both of the body and of the environment. If you plant nine or eleven Tulasi trees in your garden the air will be pure within a wide radius, and bacteria-free. She is one of those trees that possess divine qualities to in...

*Aap Ka Suraksha Chakra Campaign *Immunity Through Ayurveda * Benefits of Tulasi leaves | Rich in Anti - Oxidants | Fights against viruses and harmful bacteria | Protect from common cold