Holy basil, or Tulsi, (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a plant that I would like to recommend for growing in our garden next year, both as a culinary herb, and as a medicinal.
Holy basil is used for treating the common cold, influenza (aka”the flu”), H1N1 (aka “swine flu”), diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, earache, headache, stomach ache, heart disease, fever, hepatitis (viral), malaria and tuberculosis. It is also used to reduce stress, to treat mercury poisoning, to promote longevity, as a mosquito repellent, and to counteract snake and scorpion venoms.
Note: Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) should not be confused with the more commonly grown basil varieties such as Genovese (Italian), Purple, Cinnamon, Nufar, Pistou, or Sweet Thai, (Ocimum basilicum), Lemon (Ocimum basilicum citriodora), or Lime (Ocimum americanum).
(See Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
For more info on Holy Basil:
1. www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1101-HOLY%20BASIL.aspx
2. www.youbeauty.com/health/columns/whole-beauty/holy-basil-for-stress
3. www.holy-basil.com/
