Hello BUGGS, How are you? I am back after a long gap. This time I am going to write about Basil and it’s different varieties on request of Smitha, a member of BUGGs.

Generally people get confused between various varieties of Basil. Basically Basil is originally native to India. It is cultivated there for more than 5000 years. Basil is best known as culinary herb predominantly used in Italian cuisine  and also plays a major role in Southeast Asian cuisines of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. The type of basil which is used in Italian cuisine, is typically called as ‘Sweet Basil’, as oppose to Thai basil, lemon basil and holy basil, which are used in Asia.

Let’s discuss about Holy basil, which is commonly known as  tulasi. Tulasi is cultivated for religious and medicinal purpose and for its oil. Tulasi is used in Ayurveda and also as important role to play in Hindu Religion. There are two types of Tulsi worshiped – “Rama Tulasi”, has light leaves and is larger in size. Another is “Shyama Tulsi”, has  dark green leaves.  But I am going to focus only on medicinal and culinary usage of Tulasi

Tulasi has been used for thousand years in Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. The extract obtained from the plants is used to cure various diseases such as common cold, inflammation, maleria, heart diseases, and many more. Tulsi also aids in the purification of atmosphere. Therefore you will find at least one plant of Tulasi.  Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogenic, balancing different processes in the body and enabling the body to adapt to stress. Listed below are some of the uses of plant :

1) Fever and Common Cold

Tulasi leaves can cure many types of fever. Tender tulasi leaves boiled in water act as preventive against maleria and dengue fever.

2) Cough and Respiratory Problems: Tulasi is main ingredient in preparation of cough syrups and expectorant.

• Chewing Tulasi leaves cures cough and flu.
• A decoction of leaves with honey and ginger is an effective remedy against bronchitis, asthama, influenza and cold.
• Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat.

3) Tulasi is also good for skin. Whether you eat raw leaves or apply a paste of raw leaves on face.

These are some of the basic usage of tulasi. While doing my research about different varieties of basil, I come across a link which described different varieties of basil.  http://ramonasbasilgarden.com/basil-list/

Though the varieties are different majority of basil have same medicinal values.  I am also attaching herewith a web link which will give you an idea about how to cultivate basil.  http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Basil.

I hope you all will find this article useful. In case you wish to know more about some more plants and their medicinal values please do let me know.