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    Tulsi / Kurasnatulas / तुळसी /खुर्साणातुळस / Holy Basil / Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

    Local Name: Tulsi / Kurasnatulas / तुळसी /खुर्साणातुळस

    Common Name: Holy Basil

    Botanical Name: Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

    Status & Habitat

    • Status: Abundant

    • Habitat: Herb

    • Occurrence: Open areas

    • Season of Availability: Spring and summer

    • Geography: Tropical and subtropical regions of Australia, Malesia, Asia, and the western Pacific

    • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

    • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

    Edible Parts

    • Edible Parts: Leaves

    • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

    Method of Consumption

    • Raw: Yes

    • Ripe: N/A

    • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

    • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

    • As Food: Tea is made by steeping leaves

    • As Medicine: Apply paste to bites or wounds to heal irritation; tulsi tea can be made by boiling leaves in water

    • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: N/A

    • Boiling Before Cooking: N/A

    • Pickling: N/A

    • Brining: N/A

    • Fermenting: N/A

    • Drying for later Consumption: Yes

    • Overall Method: N/A

    Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

    • Nutritional Benefit: High in vitamins and macronutrients.

    • Medicinal Benefit: Treat fevers, colds, cough, indigestion, leucorrhea and ulcers. Seeds can be eaten raw

    Tribal Wisdom

    • Tribal Wisdom: Tea is prepared from its leaves to treat fevers, colds, cough, indigestion, leucorrhoea and ulcers. Seeds can be eaten raw

    Recipes

    • Tribal Recipe: Tulsi tea:
      - Boil leaves in water then steep.