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 / Usage

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