Tulsi - holy basil

Introduction 

Tulsi means holy basil is queen of the herbs.

scientific name of tulsi is Ocimum sanctum.tulsi belongs to lamiaceae family like mint plant.tulsi is aromatic perennial(small flowering plant which can live more than two years)plant.it's native to the indian subcontinent( it includes all part of the bangladesh,bhutan,maldives,nepal and shri lanka).

Description:

tulsi is upward bushy wood plant.it'so height is about 75-90 cm.

Flower:

flowers of tulsi are purple-creamish in color.flowers are present in the form of small bunches on cylindrical spears.flowers are sessile(permanently attached to the substrate).size of flowers about 5mm.flower tube is in hairy form.

Leaf:

tulsi has oval shape leaf which are 5 cm long.edges of leaves are toothed entirely.leaves of tulsi are 2-4 cm long.leaves have balmy aroma because it contains scented oil.

Seeds:

tulsi has flat shape seeds which are strongly aromatic.tulsi seeds has little  spicy and fruity flavor.

classification

kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

order:Lamiales

Family: Lamiacae

Genus: Ocimum

Species: O.tenuiflorum

Scientific Name: Ocimum Sanctum

Species of Tulsi

As per indian geography ,there are four types of tulsi but as per whole world geography there are 18 species of tulsi

Indian tulsi types 

1)Rama tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum):

Ram tulsi also known as green tulsi cause of it's green color of leaves.ram tulsi has purple color  folwers.this tulsi cultivated at home for religious and medicinal uses.it'so easy to grow and care too.weather doesn't matter much for growing purpose means this ram tulsi can grow in heavy sunlight or light weather .ram tulsi is gentle in taste than krishna tulsi(purple tulsi).

2)Krishna tulsi(Ocimum Tenuiflorum):

Krishna tulsi also known as "Shyam tulsi" which is belong to  lord Vishnu name.it's scientific name is Ocimum Tenuiflorum".it has papery in taste.it's more stronger spicy in taste than ram tulsi.krishna tulsi's leaves and stem are purple colored.the seeds of Krishna Tulsi sown in spring season.

3)Vana tulsi (Ocimum Gratissum): 

Vana is basically Hindi language word. Vana means forest.Its known as clove basil.vana Tulsi has clovy and spicy flavor.it's Woody bush basil type.leaves are slightly hairy with strong spicy flavor.

4)Amrit tulsi(Ocimum Tenuiflorum): 

Amrit Tulsi is unique perennial variety.Amrit means immortality.it originally belongs to Amritpuri from southern India.this Tulsi is similar with Rama Tulsi but more stronger and healthy than it.Amrit Tulsi has puplish stem and green leaves.

Other types of Tulsi in the world

5)Lime basil (Ocimum Citriodorum):

Lime basil taste like lemon leaves.others name for lemon Tulsi is hoary Tulsi ,lao tulsi.it has white flowers.lemon tulsi stems grows up to 20-40 cm.lemon Tulsi is popular herb in Arabic, Indonesian, Philippines,Lao, Malay, Persian and Thai cuisine.

 6) Sweet basil (Ocimum Basilicum):

it's also known as great Tulsi. Scientific name is ocimum basilicum.it grows 12-14 inches tall.leafage color may range from green to purple.leaves size vary from small to large.there are varieties in sweet basil.

A)Napotelano basil: this basil's leaves are big and dark green color wrinkled

.it has intense flavor.it originates from Naples and Italy.

B)medinette basil:this basil is compact verity basil with larg leaves.hight near about 12-14 inches(30-35cm).medinnete basil grow slowly specially in hot season.

C)Romanesco basil:this has strong aroma leaves with larger size. It content s more oil rather than other specie's of basil.coz more oil portion this basil becomes more aromatic and rich flavor.

D) Genovese Basil: 

this basil is Italian verity.it has extremely larg dark green leaves with ender fragrance.it grows near about 18-24 inches and spread around 10-14 inches.

E)Emily:it it the compact verity of sweet basil.leaves are compact in size.

F) Dolly:leaves are large in size.it can grow in more cold climate.

7)Bush group Basil's:

this basil is smaller in shape, rounded shaped leaves with small size and fine texture.

It categories in three types: spicy(uniform and thick leaves), green globe(thick and tight leaves) and Bush(kind of Bush verity).

8) purple Basil's(Ocimum Basilicum): 

this basil has dark purple to bronze colors variation in leaves.this basil looks very attractive and decorative.purple basil consist with Dark Opal( leaves are purely dark purple and great for vinegar ), Emerald wine( leaves are compact in size color is red wine and veins are green at border a side),Rubin( foliage is purple bronze)

 9) Cinnamon basil(Ocimum Cinnamon): 

Cinnamon basil contains methyl cinnamate which gives flavor of cinnamon and spicy strong aroma.it also known as Mexican spice basil.this basil has narrow,dark green and shinny leaves. Veins are reddish purple in color.it produces small pink flowers.it grows up to 18-30 inches.

10)Clove basil:

this basil strong aromatic ,oil which present in leaves gives fragrance of cloves. it classified as ocimum gratissimum.clove basil grows larger in height rather than other specie's of basil.leaves are lime in color and elliptical in shape.this Basil's stem is Woody and color changes from dark green to purple.matured basil tree produces white flowers which bitter in tast than sweet basil.

11)Thai basil(Ocimum Thyrsiflora): 

this basil classified as ocimum basilicum.it has purple stem with bright green leaves.this Basil's leaves are arrow shaped and strongly aromatic,spicy flavor with scent of licorice.when plant gets mature,stems become lavender color and dark purple flowers grows on top of the plant.

Also flowers produces spicy flavor and scent of licorice.

Thai basil classified as ocimum basilicum var. Thai basil has vit K,A,C,beta-carotene.it has anti-inflammatory,anti bacterial and antioxidant properties.

12) African blue basil(Ocimum Kilimandscharicum): 

plant has green color leaves and purple flowers.it gives out strong scent like camphor.in India it also known as Kapur Tulsi.it is hybrid of camphor basil and dark Opal basil. scientific name is Ocimum kilimandascharicum.all parts of basil like leaves,stem,flowers are edible.

 Plant grows between 12-24 inches.

13) American basil(Ocimum Americanum): 

scientific name is Ocimum americanum.basil has green leaves, purple stems and flowers.it is good source of zinc, calcium,iron.

14) Lettuce basil:

basil also known as mammoth basil.it has big leaves sizae which is up to 5 inches. Leaves are superbly green and  wrinkled. flavor of lettuce basil is very gentle that other sweet Basil's.it classified as ocimum basilicum with larger leaves verity.

15) Green ruffles Basil:

it is classified as ocimum basilicum.this basil is type of lettuce basil.it grows up to 24 inches height. leaves are green and have feathery edges. flowers are pinkish-purple. green ruffles Basil is larger than other sweet basil's.it has mild anise flavor.

16)Cardinal basil: 

this basil botanically classified as ocimum basilicum 'cardinal'.it is tall verity of sweet basil.it has deep burgundy colored flowers. leaves are bright green,thick and oval shape. blossom ranging from magenta to dark red color.plant is bushy pattern. flowers are edible. Cardinal basil is used for flowers decorations, bouquets.

Basil contains vitamin K,iron, potassium, manganese.

17)Spicy Globe Basil:

it classified as ocimum basilicum minimum(sweet basil).it is bushy plant. leaves are spicy in taste.it produces white,compact,rounded shape flowers.it grows up to 10 inches height.this basil grows in globe form. it's ideal for growing in pot or in borders for decorating.

18)Summer long basil:

This basil classified as ocimum basilicum.basil is tight Bush.it has shiny bright green leaves.it grows up to 10 to 12 inches.summerlong is slow to bolt which means it will last longer in summer season.

Uses of Tulsi (Basil)

1)Tulsi uses as immunity booster.

2)Presence of vitamin C, A and phytonutrients in basil,are best antioxidants which prevent skin from damages.

3)Tulsi is detoxifying agent which lowers the uric acid level in the body.acetic acid which present in the Tulsi overcome the problem of kidney stones.

4)Recover fever

5)it gives relief from cought and cold.

6)TulsI has good property of anti-inflammatory which prevent bacterial and Fungal infection.