Holy Basil

Basil and religion have a rich and long history together. The Hindus have been growing and using basil in temples for around 3000 years. Basil, in South Asia, is tied to folklore and myth. It is thought to represent Vishnupriya or Beloved of Vishnu, the embodiment of the goddess Lakshmi. It has been cultivated from ancient times throughout India. It is thought to have a close link with the spiritual world as well as being closely associated with the household..

There is an ancient myth concerning a goddess and the basil plant. Tulasi was tricked into infidelity by the god Vishnu who came to her in the guise of her husband. She was so guilt ridden that she took her life. The god Vishnu declared she would be worshiped by women for her faithfulness and would help women avoid widowhood. The goddess gave her name to the plant. Basil or tulsi became a symbol of love, eternal life, purification, and protection in India.

"The incomparable one" is the name given to basil and it is a very important symbol in Hindu religious traditions. It is worshiped in the morning and evening. It grows wild in the tropics. The two main varieties of basil are, Shyama or dark tulsi, and Rama or light tulsi. . The Krishna or Shyama tulsi is the type more commonly used in worship, and is thought to hold more medicinal value. Tulsi can be found today growing in great quantities around Hindu temples. It comes in both green and red varieties and appears more clove like than the ordinary basil that has long been used in cooking.

The Rig Veda, written in 1500 BC, mentions holy basil. The Puranas celebrate it for its holiness. Highly regarded in Ayurvedic's system of medicine, it is noted in medical texts like Charaka Samhita, which was written somewhere between 200 BC and 200 AD.

Today, Holy Basil is used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. Some of these include fevers, colds, sore throats, kidney stones, insect bites, and headaches. Tulsi is also considered to be very useful in the reducing of stress related disorders. Mainly because of its wide use in medical applications, as well as its sacred nature, tulsi has rarely been used in cooking, but recently American chefs have been experimenting with it in a number of different dishes. It is possible that someday we will be able to enjoy a culinary treat that not only tastes good, but actually improves our health.

See Related:

• Cooking With Basil
• Growing Basil Indoors
• Harvesting Basil