ZOOLOGY PROJECT

Project Report Submitted to SRV Matriculation Higher

Secondary School, Samayapuram, Trichy in partial
fulfillment of Matric Practical Examination, 2010 – 2011.

Submitted by

Name: R. SreeMirinalini

Registered No.: P1125

Under the Guidance of

Mr. S. Prabaharan, M.Sc.,M.Phil.,B.Ed.

Department of Zoology

SRV Matriculation Higher Secondary School,

Samayapuram, Trichy.
 BOTANY PROJECT

Project Report Submitted to SRV Matriculation Higher

Secondary School, Samayapuram, Trichy in partial
fulfillment of Matric Practical Examination, 2010 – 2011.

Submitted by

Name: R. SreeMirinalini

Registered No.: P1125

Under the Guidance of

Mrs.Shanmugapriya, M.Sc.,B.Ed.

Department of Botany

SRV Matriculation Higher Secondary School,

Samayapuram, Trichy.
 MEDICINAL PLANTS
(NEEM, GINGER AND TULSI PLANTS)
 Contents

Introduction

1. NeemLeaves

2. NeemFlowers

3. NeemFruit

4. Ecology of Neem

5. Uses of Neem

6. Association of Neemwith Hindu festivals in India

7. Introduction to Ginger

8. Uses of Ginger

9. Reactions

10. Introduction to Tulsi

11. Cultivation Methods of Ginger

12. Uses of Ginger

13. Cultural Importance

14. Tulsi in Ayrveda and in Hinduism

15. Tulsi Effects

 I - NEEM PLANT
Introduction

Azadirachtaindica (Neem) is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae.

It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India,
Burma, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan,growing in tropical and
semi-tropical regions. Other vernacular names include Neem (Hindi, Urdu),
Nim ((Bengali)), Nimm (Punjabi), AryaVeppu (Malayalam), Azad Dirakht
(Persian), Nimba (Sanskrit, Oriya), Kadu-Limba (Marathi), DogonYaro (in
some Nigerian languages), Margosa, Neeb (Arabic), Nimtree, Vepu, Vempu,
Vepa (Telugu), Bevu (Kannada), Kohomba (Sinhala), Vembu (Tamil), Tamar
(Burmese), sầuđâu, xoanẤnĐộ (Vietnamese), Paraiso (Spanish), and Indian
Lilac (English). In East Africa it is also known as Muarubaini (Swahili), which
means the tree of the 40, as it is said to treat 40 different diseases.

Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 m (about

50–65 feet), rarely to 35–40 m (115–131 feet). It is evergreen, but in
severe drought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves. Thebranches are
wide spread. The fairly dense crown is roundish or oval and may reach the
diameter of 15–20 m in old, free-standing specimens.

1.Leaves:

The opposite, pinnate leaves are 20–40 cm (8 to 16 in.) long, with 20

to 31 medium to dark green leaflets about 3–8 cm (1 to 3 in.) long. The
terminal leaflet is often missing. The petioles are short. Very young leaves
are reddish to purplish in colour. The shape of mature leaflets is more or less
asymmetric and their margins are dentate with the exception of the base of
their basiscopal half, which is normally very strongly reduced and cuneate or
wedge-shaped.
 Fig. 1 Neem Branch

2.Flowers:

The (white and fragrant) flowers are arranged axillary, normally in

more-or-less drooping panicles which are up to 25 cm (10 in.) long. The
inflorescences, which branch up to the third degree, bear from 150 to 250
flowers. An individual flower is 5–6 mm long and 8–11 mm
wide.protandrous, bisexual flowers and male flowers exist on the same
individual.

Fig. 2 Neem Flowers

3.Fruit:

The fruit is a smooth (glabrous) olive-like drupe which varies in shape

from elongate oval to nearly roundish, and when ripe are 1.4-2.8 x 1.0-1.5
cm. The fruit skin (exocarp) is thin and the bitter-sweet pulp (mesocarp) is
yellowish-white and very fibrous. The mesocarp is 0.3-0.5 cm thick. The
white, hard inner shell (endocarp) of the fruit encloses one, rarely two or
three, elongated seeds (kernels) having a brown seed coat.

The neem tree is very similar in appearance to the Chinaberry, all

parts of which are extremely poisonous to mammals, while birds are known
to gorge themselves on the berries, the seeds passing harmlesslythrough
their unique digestive systems.

4.Ecology:

The neem tree is noted for its drought resistance. Normally it thrives in
areas with sub-arid to sub-humid conditions, with an annual rainfall between
400 and 1200 mm. It can grow in regions with an annual rainfall below 400
mm, but in such cases it depends largely on ground water levels. Neem can
grow in many different types of soil, but it thrives best on well drained deep
and sandy soils. It is a typical tropical to subtropical tree and exists at
annual mean temperatures between 21-32°C. It can tolerate high to very
high temperatures and does not tolerate temperature below 4°C .Neem is a
life-giving tree, especially for the dry coastal, southern districts of India. It is
one of the very few shade-giving trees that thrive in the drought-prone
areas. The trees are not at all delicate about the water quality and thrive on
the merest trickle of water, whatever the quality. In India it is very common
to see neem trees used for shade lining the streets or in most people's back
yards. In very dry areas the trees are planted in large tracts of land.
Weed status:

Neem is considered a weed in many areas, including some parts of the

Middle East, and most of Sub-Saharan Africa including West Africa where in
Senegal it has been used as a malarial drug and Tanzania and other Indian
Ocean states where in Kiswahili it is known as 'the panacea', literally 'the
tree that cures forty [diseases]', where ayurvedic uses are
practiced.Ecologically, it survives well in similar environments to its own, for
example replacing the babul acacia tree from India with African acacia
species.

Chemical compounds:The Indian scientists were the first scientist to

bring the plant to the attention of phytopharmacologists.[citation needed] In
1942, while working at the Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory at
Delhi University, British India, he extracted three bitter compounds from
neem oil, which he named nimbin, nimbinin, and nimbidin respectively. The
seeds contain a complex secondary metabolite azadirachtin.

5. Uses of Neem:

In India, the tree is variously known as "Sacred Tree," "Heal All,"

"Nature's Drugstore," "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases."
Products made from neem tree have been used in India for over two
millennia for their medicinal properties: Neem products have been observed
to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral,
contraceptive and sedative. Neem products are also used in selectively
controlling pests in plants. It is considered a major component in Ayurvedic
and Unani medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease.

All parts of the tree are said to have medicinal properties (seeds,
leaves, flowers and bark) and are used for preparing many different medical
preparations.Part of the Neem tree can be used as a spermicide.
Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, shampoo, balms and
creams, for example Margo soap), and is useful for skin care such as acne
treatment, and keeping skin elasticity. Neem oil has been found to be an
effective mosquito repellent.

Neem derivatives neutralise nearly 500 pests worldwide, including insects,

mites, ticks, and nematodes, by affecting their behaviour and physiology.
Neem does not normally kill pests right away, rather it repels them and
affects their growth. As neem products are cheap and non-toxic to higher
animals and most beneficial insects, they are well-suited for pest control in
rural areas.

Besides its use in traditional Indian medicine, the neemtree is of great

importance for its anti-desertification properties and possibly as a good
carbon dioxide sink.Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine recommend
that patients suffering from chicken pox sleep on neem leaves.

Neem gum is used as a bulking agent and for the preparation of special
purpose food (for diabetics).Aqueous extracts of neem leaves have
demonstrated significant antidiabetic potential.

Neem branches, traditionallyslender of neem branches were chewed in order

to clean one's teeth. Neem twigs are still collected and sold in markets for
this use, and in India one often sees youngsters in the streets chewing on
neem twigs.A decoction prepared from neem roots is ingested to relieve
fever in traditional Indian medicine.

Neem leaf paste is applied to the skin to treat acne, and in a similar vein is
used for measles and chicken pox sufferers.

Neem blossoms are used in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to
prepare Ugadipachhadi. "Bevinahoovinagojju" (a type of curry prepared with
neem blossoms) is common in Karnataka throughout the year. Dried
blossoms are used when fresh blossoms are not available. In Tamilnadu, a
rasam (veppam poo rasam) made with neem blossoms is a culinary
speciality.

A mixture of neem flowers and bella (jaggery or unrefined brown

sugar) is prepared and offered to friends and relatives, symbolic of sweet
and bitter events in the upcoming new year.Extract of neem leaves is
thought to be helpful as malaria prophylaxis despite the fact that no
comprehensive clinical studies are yet available. In several cases, private
initiatives in Senegal were successful in preventing malaria.[4] However,
major NGOs such as USAID are not supposed to use neem tree extracts
unless the medical benefit has been proved with clinical studies.

Uses in pest and disease control:Neem is deemed very effective in

the treatment of scabies, although only preliminary scientific proof, which
still has to be corroborated, exists,[citation needed] and is recommended for
those who are sensitive to permethrin, a known insecticide which might be
an irritant. Also, the scabies mite has yet to become resistant to neem, so in
persistent cases neem has been shown to be very effective. There is also
anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness in treating infestations of head lice in
human. The oil is also used in sprays against fleas for cats and dogs.

As a vegetable:The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are

eaten as a vegetable in India. Neem flowers are very popular for their use in
UgadiPachhadi (soup-like pickle), which is made on Ugadi day in the South
Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. A souplike dish
called VeppampooRasam (Tamil) (translated as "neem flower rasam") made
of the flower ofneem is prepared in Tamil Nadu.

Neem Gum is a rich source of protein. In Myanmar, young neem

leaves and flower buds are boiled with tamarind fruit to soften its bitterness
and eaten as a vegetable. Pickled neem leaves are also eaten with tomato
and fish paste sauce in Myanmar.

6.Associationof Neemwith Hindu festivals in India:

Neem leaf or bark is considered an effective pitta pacifier due to its

bitter taste. Hence, it is traditionally recommended during early summer in
Ayurveda (that is, the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu Calendar which
usually falls in the month of March - April), and during GudiPadva, which is
the New Year in the state of Maharashtra, the ancient practice of drinking a
small quantity of neem juice or paste on that day, before starting festivities,
is found. As in many Hindu festivals and their association with some food to
avoid negative side-effects of the season or change of seasons, neem juice is
associated with GudiPadva to remind people to use it during that particular
month or season to pacify summer pitta. In Tamilnadu during the summer
months of April to June, the Mariamman temple festival is a thousand year
old tradition. The Neem leaves and flowers are the most important part of
the Mariamman festival. The goddess Mariamman statue will be garlanded
with Neem leaves and flowers. During most occasions of
celebrations and weddings the people of Tamilnadu adorn their surroundings
with the Neem leaves and flowers as a form of decoration and also to ward
off evil spirits and infections.

In the eastern coastal state of Orissa the famous Jagannath temple

idols are made up of Neem heart wood along with some other essential oils
and powders.
 II - GINGER PLANT

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Monocots

(unranked): Commelinids

Order: Zingiberales

Family: Zingiberaceae

Genus: Zingiber

Species: Z. officinale

Binomial name:Zingiberofficinale Roscoe

7. Introduction

Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiberofficinale, consumed whole

as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family
(Zingiberaceae). Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric,
cardamom, and galangal. Ginger cultivation began in South Asia and has
since spread to East Africa and the Caribbean. It is sometimes called root
ginger to distinguish it from other things that share the name ginger.

Etymology:The English name ginger comes from French: gingembre, Old

English: gingifere, Medieval Latin: ginginer, Greek: zingiberis (ζιγγίβερις),

Old Persian: shingavir ( ‫)شنگویر‬, Pali: siṅgivera (सिन्गिभेर ). Ultimately the origin

is from Tamil: injiver (இஞ்சிவேர்). The botanical term for root in Tamil is ver

(வேர்), hence inji root or inji ver.

The characteristic odor and flavor of ginger is caused by a mixture of

zingerone, shogaols and gingerols, volatile oils that compose one to three
percent of the weight of fresh ginger. In laboratory animals, the gingerrols
increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and have analgesic,
sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial properties. Ginger oil has been shown
to prevent skin cancer in miceand a study at the University of Michigan
demonstrated that gingerols can kill ovarian cancer cells.Gingerol (1-[4'-
hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3-decanone) is the major pungent
principle of ginger, the chemopreventive potentials of gingerol present a
promising future alternative to expensive and toxic therapeutic agents.

Fig.3 Ginger Plant

 Ginger contains up to three percent of a fragrant essential oil whose
main constituents are sesquiterpenoids, with (-)-zingiberene as the main
component. Smaller amounts of other sesquiterpenoids (β-
sesquiphellandrene, bisabolene and farnesene) and a small monoterpenoid
fraction (β-phelladrene, cineol, and citral) have also been identified.

The pungent taste of ginger is due to nonvolatile phenylpropanoid-

derived compounds, particularly gingerols and shogaols, which form from
gingerols when ginger is dried or cooked. Zingerone is also produced from
gingerols during this process; this compound is less pungent and has a
spicy-sweet aroma. Ginger is also a minor chemical irritant, and because of
this was used as a horse suppository by pre-World War I mounted regiments
for feaguing.Ginger has a sialagogue action, stimulating the production of
saliva, which makes swallowing easier.

8. Uses of Ginger:

Culinary use:Fresh ginger rhizome: Young ginger rhizomes are juicy and
fleshy with a very mild taste. They are often pickled in vinegar or sherry as a
snack or just cooked as an ingredient in many dishes. They can also be
steeped in boiling water to make ginger tea, to which honey is often added;
sliced orange or lemon fruit may also be added. Ginger can also be made
into candy.

Mature ginger roots are fibrous and nearly dry. The juice from old ginger
roots is extremely potent, and is often used as a spice in Indian recipes, and
is a quintessential ingredient of Chinese, Japanese and many South Asian
cuisines for flavoring dishes such as seafood or goat meat and vegetarian
cuisine.

Ginger acts as a useful food preservative.Fresh ginger can be

substituted for ground ginger at a ratio of 6 to 1, although the flavors of
fresh and dried ginger are somewhat different. Powdered dry ginger root is
typically used as a flavoring for recipes such as gingerbread, cookies,
crackers and cakes, ginger ale, and ginger beer.Candied ginger is the root
cooked in sugar until soft, and is a type of confectionery.

Fresh ginger may be peeled before eating. For longer-term storage,

the ginger can be placed in a plastic bag and refrigerated or frozen.

Regional use:In India, ginger is called Adrak in Hindi, Punjabi and

Urdu,Aad in Maithili, Aadi in Bhojpuri, Aada in Bengali, Adu in Gujarati,

HashiShunti in the Kannada , Allam (అల్ల ం) in Telugu, Inji (இஞ்சி) in Tamil

and Malayalam, Inguru (ඉඟුරු) in Sinhalese, Alay in Marathi, and Aduwa(अदव

ु ा

) in Nepali. Fresh ginger is one of the main spices used for making pulse and
lentil curries and other vegetable preparations. Fresh, as well as dried,
ginger is used to spice tea and coffee, especially in winter. Ginger powder is
also used in certain food preparations, particularly for pregnant or nursing
women, the most popular one being Katlu which is a mixture of gum resin,
ghee, nuts, and sugar. Ginger is also consumed in candied and pickled form.

Fig. 4 Fresh Ginger

 In Bangladesh, ginger is called Aada ( আদা) and is finely chopped or
ground into a paste to use as a base for chicken and meat dishes alongside
shallot and garlic.

In the Philippines, ginger is called luya and is used as "candy" when

there is sore throat or hoarse voice.

In Burma, ginger is called gyin. It is widely used in cooking and as a

main ingredient in traditional medicines. It is also consumed as a salad dish
called gyin-thot, which consists of shredded ginger preserved in oil, and a
variety of nuts and seeds.

In Indonesia, a beverage called wedangjahe is made from ginger and

palm sugar. Indonesians also use ground ginger root, called jahe, as a
common ingredient in local recipes.

In Nepal, ginger is called "aduwa", अदव

ु ा and is widely grown and used

throughout the country as a spice for vegetables, used medically to treat

cold and also sometimes used to flavor tea.

In Western cuisine, ginger is traditionally used mainly in sweet foods

such as ginger ale, gingerbread, ginger snaps, parkin, ginger biscuits and
speculaas. A ginger-flavored liqueur called Canton is produced in Jarnac,
France. Green ginger wine is a ginger-flavored wine produced in the United
Kingdom, traditionally sold in a green glass bottle. Ginger is also used as a
spice added to hot coffee and tea.

Medicinal use:The medical form of ginger historically was called Jamaica

ginger; it was classified as a stimulant and carminative and used frequently
for dyspepsia, gastroparesis, slow motility symptoms, constipation, and
colic. It was also frequently employed to disguise the taste of medicines.
Ginger is on the FDA's "generally recognized as safe" list, though it does
interact with some medications, including warfarin. Ginger is contraindicated
in people suffering from gallstones as it promotes the production of bile.
Ginger may also decrease pain from arthritis, though studies have been
inconsistent, and may have blood thinning and cholesterol lowering
properties that may make it useful for treating heart disease.An acute
overdose of ginger is usually in excess of about 2,000 milligrams per
kilogram, dependent on level of ginger tolerance, and can result in a state of
central nervous system over-stimulation called ginger intoxication or
colloquially the "ginger gitters".Animal studies suggest that ginger
(Zingiberofficinale Roscoe) reduces anxiety.

Fig.5 Ginger Roots

Advanced glycation end products are associated in the development of

several pathophysiologies including diabetic cataract. Ginger was effective
against the development of diabetic cataract in rats mainly through its
antiglycating potential and to a lesser extent by inhibition of the polyol
pathway. Ginger, may be explored for the prevention or delay of diabetic
complications.

Diarrhea:Ginger compounds are active against a form of diarrhea which is

the leading cause of infant death in developing countries. Zingerone is likely
to be the active constituent against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli heat-
labile enterotoxin-induced diarrhea.

Nausea: Ginger has been found effective in multiple studies for treating
nausea caused by seasickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy, though
ginger was not found superior over a placebo for pre-emptively treating
post-operative nausea. Ginger is a safe remedy for nausea relief during
pregnancy. Ginger as a remedy for motion sickness is still a debated issue.
The television program Mythbusters performed an experiment using one of
their staff who suffered from severe motion sickness. The staff member was
placed in a moving device which, without treatment, produced severe
nausea. Multiple treatments were administered. None, with the exception of
the ginger and the two most common drugs, were successful. The staff
member preferred the ginger due to lack of side effects. Several studies over
the last 20 years were inconclusive with some studies in favor of the herb
and some not. A common thread in these studies is the lack of sufficient
participants to yield statistical significance. Another issue is the lack of a
known chemical pathway for the supposed relief.

Folk medicine:A variety of uses are suggested for ginger. Tea brewed
from ginger is a folk remedy for colds. Three to four leaves of tulsi taken
with a piece of ginger on an empty stomach is considered an effective cure
for congestion, cough and cold. Ginger ale and ginger beer have been
recommended as stomach settlers for generations in countries where the
beverages are made, and ginger water was commonly used to avoid heat
cramps in the United States. In China, "ginger eggs" (scrambled eggs with
finely diced ginger root) is a common home remedy for coughing.[citation
needed] The Chinese also make a kind of dried ginger candy that is
fermented in plum juice and sugared, which is also commonly consumed to
suppress coughing. Ginger has also been historically used to treat
inflammation, which several scientific studies support, though one arthritis
trial showed ginger to be no better than a placebo or ibuprofen for treatment
of osteoarthritis. Research on rats suggests that ginger may be useful for
treating diabetes.

9. Reactions:

Allergic reactions to ginger generally result in a rash, and although

generally recognized as safe, ginger can cause heartburn, bloating, gas,
belching and nausea, particularly if taken in powdered form. Unchewed fresh
ginger may result in intestinal blockage, and individuals who have had
ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease or also adversely affect individuals with
gallstones.There are also suggestions that ginger may affect blood pressure,
clotting, and heart rhythms.

III - TULSI PLANT

 Classification

Kingdom : Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order : Lamiales

Family : Lamiaceae

Genus : Ocimum

Species : O. tenuiflorum

Scientific Name : Ocimum Sanctum

Found In : Gir National Park and Sasangir National Park

10. Introduction toTulsi:

The tulsi plant is easily identified by its purple crown and stem, with
wide, green leaves. Referred to in India as the "Queen of Herbs," Tulsi is
more commonly known to those in Western medicine as Holy Basil. For more
5,000 years this herb has been used in India for everything from preventing
colds and infections to preparing soothing skin balms.

Other names: It is known as Holy Basil in English and Tulasi in Sanskrit.

Other names used for the Tulsi are Manjari, Krishna Tulsi, Trittavu, Tulshi
and Thulsi.

Description:Tulsi is a heavy branched having hair all over. It attains the

height of about 75 – 90 cm. It has round oval shaped leaves which are up to
5 cm long. The leaves are 2- 4 cm in length. Its seeds are flat. Its flowers
are purple – creamish in colour. The Tulsi with the green leaves is called the
ShriTulsi and one with the reddish leaves is called the Krishna Tulsi. Itsseeds
are yellow to reddish in colour. Leaves of Tulsi contains very essential oil.

Other species:Ocimumcanum (Ram tulsi or Kali Tulsi), Ocimumbasilicum,

OcimumKilmand, Ocimumscharicum are the other related species of the Tulsi
(Ocimum Sanctum).

Location:Tulsi is widely grown in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and Sasangir

National Park in India. Tulsi grows wild in tropics and warm regions.

11. Cultivation methods:

Tulsi seeds germinate easily. The seeds are mainly sown in the spring
season. They are watered from time to time and germinated in one to two
weeks. Tulsi prefers rich soil for its growth. It requires full sunlight. It is
mainly grown in the teperate climate.

Fig. 6Tulsi Plant

Ocimumtenuiflorum (also tulsi, tulasī, or Holy Basil) is an aromatic

plant in the family Lamiaceae which is native throughout the Old World
tropics and widespread as a cultivated plant and an escaped weed.[1] It is
an erect, much branched subshrub 30-60 cm tall with hairy stems and
simple opposite green leaves that are strongly scented. Leaves have
petioles, and are ovate, up to 5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. Flowers
are purplish in elongate racemes in close whorls. There are two main
morphotypes cultivated in India—green-leaved (Sri or Lakshmi tulsi) and
purple-leaved (Krishna tulsi).Tulsi is cultivated for religious and medicinal
purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely known across South Asia as a
medicinal plant and an herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has an
important role within the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which
devotees perform worship involving Tulsi plants or leaves.

There is also a variety of Ocimumtenuiflorum which is used in Thai

cuisine, and is referred to as Thai holy basil, or kraphao ( กะเพรา)—not be
confused with "Thai Basil", which is a variety of Ocimumbasilicum.

12. Uses of Tulsi Plant:

With the field of alternative medicine growing larger almost daily, it

can be difficult to distinguish between what is medicine and what is new age
mumbo jumbo. One good way to tell the difference is to examine how long a
remedy has been used, and how effective it has been over that time. An
herb that has been used for thousands of years by people in India, and
which is now being examined more closely for the benefits it provides, is the
Tulsi plant.

Medical uses:Recent studies suggest that Tulsi may be a COX-2 inhibitor,

like many modern painkillers, due to its high concentration of eugenol (1-
hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene). One study showed Tulsi to be an
effective treatment for diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels. The same
study showed significant reduction in total cholesterol levels with Tulsi.
Another study showed that Tulsi's beneficial effect on blood glucose levels is
due to its antioxidant properties. Tulsi also shows some promise for
protection from radiation poisoning and cataracts.

Medicinal uses:Tulsi has got the great medicinal value. Tulsi is taken as the
herbal tea. The oil extracted from the KarpooraTulsi is mostly used in the
herbal toiletry. Its oil is also used against the insects and bacteria. The
Rama Tulsi is the effective remedy for the Severe acute Respiratory
Syndrome. Juice of its leaves gives relief in cold, fever, bronchitis and
cough. Tulsi oil is also used as the ear drop. Tulsi helps in curing malaria. It
si very effective against indigestion, headache, hysteria, insomnia and
cholera. The fresh leaves of Tulsi are taken by the million of people
everyday. For over the centuries Tulsi (the queen of herbs) has been known
for its remarkable healing properties.

Fig.7 Fresh Tulsi

13. Cultural Importance:

Tulsi is the sacred plant dearer to the Lord Vishnu. Tulsisymbolises

purity. It is considered as the holy plant in the Indian Subcontinent. Tulsi got
its name from Tulasi Devi, who was one of Lord Krishna's eternal consorts.
In India people grow Tulsi as the religious plant and worship it. Its leaves
are used in temples for the worship purposes and also on the several
occasions such as marriage. A Hindu house is considered incomplete without
the Tulsi plant in the courtyard. Tulsi is belived to promote longevity and life
long happiness. Hindus perform special Tulsi puja in the Kartik month which
starts after SharadPoornima. It is the time of the Tulsivivah (marriage). On
this day Tulsi is decorated and coloured as a bride.Even today people in
India maintain a potted Tulsi plant. The womens water the plant, light up the
diya near it and worships it daily. The stems, leaves, seeds and even the soil
is considered as holy. According to the ancient texts Tulsi is glorified as the
one who helps in bringing people closer to the divine.

Immune Booster:Another of the properties of the tulsi plant is that it also

acts as a natural immune system booster. This has been one of the plant's
more common uses throughout history, and it is still one of its more valued
benefits. While generally effective on boosting a person's entire immune
system, the tulsi plant appears to provide the largest benefit to the
respiratory system, and in fighting infections in that area.

Other Benefits: The numbers of benefits that are attributed to the tulsi
plant are many. Some of the more common ones include stress relief,
enhanced metabolism, increased stamina, lower cholesterol, and improved
digestion.The most common way for people to get the benefits of the tulsi
plant is to drink tea made from its leaves. Additionally, many companies are
now harvesting several varieties of the tulsi plant and mixing them together
to achieve the healthiest results for their customers. Depending on a
person's wants, needs, and preferences, chances are good there is a tulsi
tea that caters to the benefits that they desire.: Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid,
Rosmarinic acid, Eugenol, Carvacrol, Linalool, and β-caryophyllene.
14. Tulsi in Ayurveda and in Hinduism:

Tulsi flowers has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its
diverse healing properties. It is mentioned by Charaka in the
CharakaSamhita,an ancient Ayurvedic text. Tulsi is considered to be an
adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for
adapting to stress. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it is
regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life" and believed to promote
longevity.

Tulsi’s extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds,

headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of
poisoning, and malaria. Traditionally, tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal
tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted
from KarpooraTulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal
cosmetics, and is widely used in skin preparations due to its anti-bacterial
activity. For centuries, the dried leaves of Tulsi have been mixed with stored
grains to repel insects.

Fig.8Closeup of Tulsi leaves

In Hinduism:Tulsi or Tulasi is the most sacred plants for Hindus and they
believe that water mixed with Tulasi petals should be given to the dying in
the end to raise their departing souls to heaven. Tulsi, which is Sanskrit for
"the incomparable one", is worshiped throughout India, most often regarded
as a consort of Krishna in the form of Lakshmi. According to Brahma
VaivartaPurana She is the expansion of Sita. There are two types of Tulsi
worshiped in Hinduism - "Rama Tulsi" has light green leaves and is larger in
size; "ShyamaTulsi" has dark green leaves and is important for the worship
of Hanuman. Many Hindus have Tulsi plants growing in front of or near their
home, often in special Tulsi pots. It is also frequently grown next to
Hanuman temples, especially in Varanasi.

In the ceremony of TulsiVivah, Tulsi is ceremonially married to Krishna

annually on the eleventh bright day or twelfth of the month of Kartika in the
lunar calendar. That day also marks the end of the four month cāturmāsya
period, which is considered auspicious for weddings and other rituals, and so
the day inaugurates the annual marriage season in India. The ritual lighting
of lamps each evening during Kartika includes the worship of the Tulsi plant,
which is considered auspicious for the home. Vaishnavas especially follow
the daily worship of Tulsi during Kartika.

Vaishnavas traditionally use japamalas made from tulsi stems or roots,

which are an important symbol of initiation. Tulsimalas are considered to be
auspicious for the wearer, and believed to put them under the protection of
Hanuman. They have such a strong association with Vaishnavas, that
followers of Hanuman have long been called "those who bear the tulasi
round the neck".

Tulsi has several benefits:

 Relieves stress / adaptogen

Bolsters immunity

Enhances stamina

Provides support during cold season

Promotes healthy metabolism

A natural immuno-modulator

"Modern scientific research offers impressive evidence that Tulsi

reduces stress, enhances stamina, relieves inflammation, lowers cholesterol,
eliminates toxins, protects against radiation, prevents gastric ulcers, lowers
fevers, improves digestion and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and
other nutrients. Tulsi is especially effective in supporting the heart, blood
vessels, liver and lungs and also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar."
Dr. Ralph Miller, former Director of Research for the Canadian Dept. of
Health and Welfare.

The unique chemistry of Tulsi is highly complex. Tulsi contains

hundreds of beneficial compounds known as phyto-chemicals. Working
together, these compounds possess strong antioxidant, antibacterial,
antiviral, adaptogenic, and immune-enhancing properties that promote
general health and support the body's natural defense against stress and
diseases. The essential oils in the leaves of Tulsi that contribute to the
fragrance and refreshing flavor of Tulsi Tea, are a particularly rich source of
valuable phyto-chemicals.

15. Tulsi Effects:

Some of Tulsi effects are quite immediate, while others develop gradually
after weeks of regular use. For example, you may feel more relaxed and
energized after the first cup. Although Tulsi has many specific effects on
different body systems, its main benefits arise from its impressive general
capacity to assist the body's natural process of healing and maintaining
health. Tulsi overall health promotion and disease prevention effects are
powerful, but often subtle. For example, you may simply notice that you do
not seem to be bothered by stress or common illnesses, such as colds or flu,
nearly as often as before. Or you may notice that you generally tire less
easily. As with many other herbal supplements, it usually takes at least a
week or so of consistent use for the body to experience major benefits.

The Indian herbal plant Tulsi has a lot of significance in the Hindu
religion. The term "Tulsi" is used in the context of one who is absolutely
incomparable. Tulsi has a lot of reverence for the Hindus. Infact, people
worship Tulsieveryday in the morning as well as evening time. This Indian
basil basically grows in the warm and tropical regions. There are two main
varieties of this aromatic plant, namely Shyamatulsi and Rama tulsi. Well,
out of the two, the former one is of greater medicinal value. Rama Tulsi, on
the hand, is primarily used for worship.