Plant name : Tulasi
“The most sacred plant according to hindu mythology which is common as well as medicinally enriched”
Botanical name : Ocimum sanctum
Family : Labiatae
Actions : Expectorant, Diaphoretic, Anti-spasmodic, Stimulant, Anti-pyretic, Anti-rheumatic, Hepato-protective, Anti-periodic.
Siddha medicinal uses :
- 5-10 ml of tulasi leaf juice is mixed with honey and given three times daily for fever, cough, asthma etc.
- Leaf juice is taken in 15-20ml and mixed with equal amount of honey and given three times a day for chicken pox, measels and viral fever.
- Tulasi juice along with turmeric is ground and given internally as well as externally applied for poison due to spider bite.
- The leaves of tulasi are dried in shade and powdered. This is used as an external inhalation for nasal congestion.
- For jaundice, malaria etc leaf juice of tulasi is given in the dose of one table spoon twice daily.
- The leaves of tulasi is put in adequate amount around the pillow or used in the hair dressing while sleeping to get rid of lice.
- Leaves of tulasi is boiled along with milk and taken for increased Iyam or kapha condition.
- The juice of samoolam or entire plant is helpful in controlling genitourinary infection.
- The samoolam is boiled in water and used as steam inhalation in cough, cold and nasal congestion.
Note: Siddha treatment is based on complete physical examination of the patient, Naadi diagnosis, and other diagnostic criteria of the disease. The content given in this article is purely meant for information and education purpose only. Kindly consult a Siddha physician before any sort of self medication.