On today's episode I narrate herbalist Ruthie Hayes monograph on Tulsi (AKA holy basil). 

Here's a sampling from her monograph which you can find here: www.herbrally.com/monographs/tulsi-rh

Herblore + Tradition: Tulsi is native to India and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for well over 5,000 years.  It is the most sacred of plants in Hinduism, essential in the ritual worship of Vishnu and Krishna.  Tulsi is believed to be the earthly incarnation of the Divine Mother, Tulasi, and the doorway between heaven and earth.  A tea of the leaves is often given to the dying to guide their soul from this world to the next.  The wood of the tulsi plant is used in the making of mala beads which are used in meditation and prayer.  Traditionally, the mala consists of 108 beads, one for each time the mantra or name of the deity is prayed or chanted.  In sacred places, tulsi can be seen growing in its own altar where offerings and prayers can be made to the plant.

There are strict rules for harvesting tulsi leaves, and forgiveness from the plant must be asked first.  The powder of the root in milk, ghee, or as a decoction was a treatment for malarial fever, bug bites, and to increase sexual stamina.  It has also been used traditionally to remedy the cognitive effects of excessive cannabis use.  The seeds mixed with water, juice, or milk was a traditional remedy for low energy and stomach/digestive problems.  Tulsi is also a popular herb in Thai cooking.  It’s used as a potherb, in making cheeses, liqueurs, in salads, rice, jellies, and a sherbert is often prepared from an infusion of the leaves.

For more monographs (40+ as of now) please visit: www.herbrally.com/monographs

You can visit Ruthie online at MotherHylde.com.

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