Tulsi (Holy Basil): Benefits of Tulsi for your Skin and Hair

Tulsi (Holy Basil): Benefits of Tulsi for your Skin and Hair

The Therapeutic Tulsi

The sacred plant of Tulsi is found in almost every Indian household. Called as the “queen of herbs”, Tulsi is amongst the most sacred, miraculous and treasured herbs found in India.

From around 5000 years and till now, Ayurveda relies on Tulsi for its medicinal and spiritual properties. Granting it the title - “elixir of life” is truly a trusted statement. It has strong aroma and astringent taste, and is well known for promoting longevity.

Indian Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) has its belongings to Mint Family, and have two varieties found in India.  The greener variety is termed as Rama Tulsi while the Greenish-black variety is called the Krishna Tulsi.

There is one other variety of Tulsi called “Sweet Basil” (Ocimum basilicum) ( different from Ocimum sanctum ) which is commonly used for culinary purposes.

Medicinal Blessings of Tulsi

Tulsi has multitude of Health-curative benefits. It possess properties aided for various medicinal activities, including anti-bacterial, anti-acne, anti-stress, anti-viral, antilipidemic, antidiabetic, immune enhancing and blood glucose-lowering properties.

Detoxification and Tulsi are Synonyms

Basil due to its anti bacterial and skin purifying properties offers a wide variety of Beauty benefits. Coming back to the basics of Ayurveda, Most cosmetic companies are preparing Herbs infused skin ointments that renew skin naturally and Tulsi, as Ayurvedic evidence, is their prominent choice.

Being a fragrant and conditioning agent, it is mainly used to prepare treatments for both Hair and Skin.

Skin Healing Benefits of Tulsi 

Treats Skin Issues:

Tulsi is rich in anti-Inflammatory properties, thus becomes a soothing agent in reducing itchiness or patchy skin problems being aroused of Skin diseases like eczema, scabies or acne.

Eliminates Pimples and Acne:

Whether you eat raw leaves of Medicinal Tulsi or simply apply its paste on your skin, it will do wonders to your skin. Chewing 4-5 leaves of Tulsi; empty stomach purifies the blood from toxins and prevents appearance of acne and pimples.

DIY: Tulsi Toner - Boil Tulsi leaves in water and cool it down for 15 minutes. Put it into any clean spray bottle and spray all over your face. If you don’t have any Spray bottle, simply use a cotton ball, dip into the Tulsi water and dab it onto the acne affected areas.

This is truly a powerful remedy in soothing down the pimples, and regular usage on clean skin will make your skin rid of pimples and blemishes; and turn into a smooth and glowing face.

If you are looking for more skin cleansing options, Oxyglow Neem and Tulsi face wash works the same way.

Fade Scars and Marks:

Tulsi when combined with Skin Whitening agents like gram flour can be effective in fading scars, dark spots and marks on face.

DIY: Tulsi & Besan( Gram Flour) Face Pack- Take 2 tablespoons of Besan or gram flour and 3 tablespoons of Tulsi-Satva or boiled Tulsi Water. Mix well. Apply this paste to get rid of scars, marks or even pigmented skin. Tulsi Kills the acne causing bacteria giving you clean skin while gram flour works to lighten dark marks and spots, giving even skin tone.

Prevents Inflammation:

Tulsi is abundant of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compounds, and has major effects in soothing down any inflammation on skin.

DIY: Sandalwood, Rose water and Tulsi Face Pack- Take 2 Tablespoons of Chandan or Sandalwood powder, 2 Teaspoons of dry Tulsi leaves powder and 3-4 teaspoons of rose water. Mix Well. Apply this paste using a brush or fingertips on inflamed areas, may be around chins, nose or forehead. Make sure your applying brush and fingertips are clean.

Tighten Up Skin Pores:

Skin Pores get enlarged with temperature change or by using harsh products, allowing dirt, and other toxins to feed into skin cells, causing acne and pimples.

DIY: Egg White and Tulsi Powder Face Pack: Separate Egg white from an egg. Take this egg white into a clean small mixing bowl and add Tulsi leaves paste or powder into it. Mix well and rub the mixture gently on the face particularly on the infected areas of the skin. Keep this paste on face for about 20 minutes and then scrub it off gently. Wash your face and follow up with any light ayurvedic moisturizer.

The egg white used will tighten the skin pores while the Tulsi paste works to detoxify the skin within from infections which cause pimples and acne.

Gives glowing skin:

Drinking Tulsi juice is credited with giving luster to the complexion, sweetness to the voice and fostering beauty that looks young and fresher.

Hair Care Benefits of Tulsi:

Tulsi is not just for skin, it has its equal benefactions in treating Dry, damaged hair and scalp. Raising pollution bars with pollutants, chemicals and dust damaging our scalp and hair, Tulsi will surely rescue the crowning glory of you.

Preferring home- made remedies than chemical laden products to combat hair issues is necessary choice, and to support that, Tulsi, becomes the wonder herb helping you achieve lustrous, bouncy and healthy hair.

Treats Dandruff and Dry Scalp:

One of the major causes of hair loss is dandruff and dry scalp.

DIY: Tulsi and Coconut Oil Massage- Add a teaspoon of Organic Tulsi oil to regular carrier oil like coconut oil and massage well on your scalp. Tulsi here will improve the blood circulation and keeps your scalp cool. It also reducing itchiness and dandruff and coconut oil promotes hair growth.

DIY: For major dandruff issues, one can simply apply Tulsi paste to the scalp, and let it stay for 20 minutes and then rinse off. It keeps the roots clean and keeps the dandruff at bay.

For a Healthy and Itch Free Scalp:

DIY: Tulsi, Hibiscus and Neem Hair Mask- Take equal amount of tulsi, hibiscus and neem leaves powder. Mix well with sufficient amount of water. This hair mask is a power-pack of anti inflammatory nutrients to keep your scalp and hair healthy and itch free.

Healing properties of Tulsi for Mind, Body and Spirit

Tulsi has been used for centuries as an important component of Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. The extract or “Satva” obtained from the plants cures various diseases such as common cold, inflammation, malaria, heart diseases and many more. It protects and detoxifies body’s internal mechanism from any toxin-induced damage.

Also marked as Adaptogenic, Tulsi can easily balance different processes in the body and enabling the body to adapt to both psychological and physical stress. Its fragrance is mind-calming and pacifies emotional stresses. Continual intake of Tulsi Tonic can increase intelligence, stamina and boosts stronger immune system by preventing the development of any stress-related diseases in body.

Tulsi also aids in the purification of atmosphere

Apart from all these benefits, Tulsi is also been researched for its environmental benefits. Apparently, this eco-friendly plant gives out oxygen for 20 hours and ozone for 4 hours along with the formation of nascent oxygen which absorbs harmful gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the environment, performing its major contribution in atmospheric purification.

Now, that we know Tulsi has so many amazing benefits. I expect it that you will embed these home remedies to your skin, hair and healthy routine.