Sacred Basil or Tulasi

Sacred Basil or or Ocimum Sanctum is known as Tulasi (incomparable) in India. It is a small, erect and many branched plant. The leaves have many oil glands. The flowers are small purplish and grow in slender spiked clusters. The fruit is small and the seeds are yellow-red. There are two types of Sacred Basil - light (rama), and dark (krishna).

In days gone by temples served as resting places for travellers. The Tulasi plant was grown outside temples because it has the unique property of curbing thirst. Placing a couple of leaves under one's tongue reduced one's thirst.

Later Tulasi acquired religious significance. The Tulasi plant is essential to a home to ensure happiness. The name of the square pedastal planted with Tulasi at the entrance to a Hindu home is known as a Tulasivrindavana. Vrinda means cluster of flowers.

An Aryan myth tells of a female devotee of Vishnu who desired him as her husband. She prayed for centuries, the same desire in every lifetime. Lakshmi the consort of Vishnu could not bear the thought of a rival and changed Tulasi into a plant. Vishnu, however, was impressed by the woman's devotion, and angry with Lakshmi. He assumed the form of the Shaligrama or Ammonite stone so that he could be Tulasi's consort eternally. The plant and the stone are always found together. Other later legends spring from this tale.

The Tulasi plant has medicinal leaves and seeds, the juice of both being a remedy for coughs colds and digestive problems. The oil of the leaves destroys bacteria and keeps away insects, so the plant is an effective fly and mosquito repellant.