GUWAHATI: The tulsi plant is considered as a holy plant all over India. Vaastu highly recommends the presence of this plant in every household.
Almost all Indian temples have holy Tulsi plants around them. The sacred Basil leaves are used in almost all religious rituals and worshipping of Gods and Goddess, except Lord Shiva. Tulsi is primarily used in worshiping of Lord Vishnu.
(Tulsi Vivah), Lord Vishnu married Goddess Tulsi and accepted her as his consort in the month of Karthik. This year, it is on the 20th of November. In Assam, it is worshipped throughout the month of Kartick starting from the Pusha (Puh) Sankranti (i.e Kati Bihu). It should be planted at northeast, east or north at ground level. Pials can be constructed at South and west.
Tulsi gives out oxygen for 20 hours and ozone for four hours a day along with the formation of nascent oxygen which absorbs harmful gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the environment. It produces oxygen at night also Like the Peepal plant.
Consuming Tulsi leaves is highly beneficial for health. It is beneficial for:
1. Anxiety: Taking holy basil leaf extract twice daily after meals reduces anxiety and associated stress and depression in people with anxiety.
2. Dental plaque: Using mouthwash containing 4% holy basil leaf extract twice daily reduces plaque and gingivitis better than saline solution and similar to mouthwash containing 0.12% chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is excellent for reducing plaque.
3. Diabetes: Basil leaf extract might decrease blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
4. Stress: Taking holy basil extract by mouth in the morning and at night decreases symptoms of stress, including forgetfulness, sexual problems, exhaustion, and sleep problems.
Other benefits of Tulsi leaves are found in:
Common cold, Influenza, Asthma, Bronchitis, Earache, Headache, Stomach upset, Heart disease, Fever, Insomnia, Viral hepatitis, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Mercury poisoning.
It is also excellent for many skin conditions like Ringworm and acts as an antidote to snake and scorpion bites.
Linoleic acid present in Tulsi is extremely beneficial for skin; its anti-bacterial properties help in fighting infections, strengthening immunity and fighting hair and skin disorders.
Unlike other plants, tearing of Tulsi leaves holds great significance in Hinduism; it shouldn't be done suiting to our wishes.
According to Hindu beliefs, tearing these sacred leaves on wrong occasion and with evil intent could reverse its benefiting properties.
Tearing Tulsi leaves on any Ekadashi, Night time, Sundays, Lunar, and Solar eclipse, is considered a sin.
If there is a Tulsi plant in your home, always light a ‘diya’ near the plant at evening. Before plucking the leaf, should seek permission.
Tearing Tulsi leaves for no reason is a sin; it must only be plucked for religious or health reasons
Sometimes, dry leaves tend to fall (in no circumstance should they be plucked out), in that case, the leaves should not be thrown away or stepped on to. One must wash the leaf and dig it in the mud near the holy plant.
Sudden drying up and withering of a Tulsi plant is an indication of a bad omen.