Rasa (Taste)
Katu,Tikta
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Tulsi (Sacred Basil)
Perennial herb with a typical aromatic smell.
Medicinal Plant
Tulsi (Sacred Basil)
Ocimum sanctum · Lamiaceae
Perennial herb with a typical aromatic smell.
Scientific Name
Ocimum sanctum
Family
Lamiaceae
Hindi Name
Tulsi
Used Part
Leaves
Botanical Description
About the Tulsi Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Perennial herb with a typical aromatic smell.
Stem – Erect, branched, slightly woody, solid, branches covered with hairs.
Leaf – Simple, opposite, exstipulate, acute, gland dotted, unicostate reticulate venation.
Inflorescence – Verticillaster
Flowers – Pedicellate, bracteate, with 5 sepals and 5 petals
Fruit – Schizocarps
Useful parts – Leaves
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu, Ruksha, Katu, Tikta
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Vatahara, Kaphahara, Pittavardhini
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Krumidosha, Krumihara
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Deepen (appetizer), Jwarahara (anti-pyretic), Krimighna (anti-helminthic), Kasaghna (anti-cough), Pachana (digestive), Pramehaghna (anti-diabetic), Shoolahara (pain reliever)
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Bornyl acete, cadinene, camphene, Camphor, Carvacrol, b-Caryophellene, Eugenol, Eugenol, methyl ether, Humelene, Methyl chavicol, Limonene etc.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Tulsi
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Kasa - Juice of Tulsi leaves with honey is beneficial in cough.
02
Mutrakrichha - Soaked basil seeds are beneficial in burning micturition.
03
Kitadamsha - Leaves paste is applied over the site of insect bite.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Tulsi is a key ingredient.
- Surasadi Kwath, Surasadi Kwath, Tribhuankirti Ras, Sahacharadi Taila, Nimbadi lepa
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
तुलसी कटुका तिक्ता हृदोष्णा दाहपित्तकृत् । दीपनी कुष्ठकृच्छ्वासपार्श्वरुक्कफवातजित् । शुक्ला कृष्णा च तुलसी गुणैस्तुल्या प्रकीर्तिता ॥