TulsiSanatan Religion is worshiping Tulsi since very long. It is the part of  almost all our Vedic traditions. Praying and watering to Maa Tulsi in Every morning is a general daily duty.

Devotees of Lord Vishnu chant on beads made from the wood of the Tulsi plant and also wear Tulsi beads around their necks. Vaishnava (Devotee of Lord Vishnu) daily offer one thousand Tulsi leaves to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna During the holy month of Kartika. Next day after dev-uthani Ekadashi, people celebrating with great pomp the marriage of their Tulsi with a neighbor’s shalagrama-shila (Stone form of Vishnu).

Mythological Significance of Tulsi:

In her form as a plant, Tulsi always stays at the Lord’s lotus feet and around the neck of the Lord. Lord Krishna is suppose to accept food only adorned with a Tulasi leaf.

The Gautamiya Tantra says,

“Sri Krishna sells Himself to a devotee who offers Him merely a Tulsi leaf and a palmful of water.”

The Skanda Purana describes:

"Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Tulsi tree, which can immediately vanquish volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree, one can become relieved from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances to and pouring water on the Tulsi tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja [the king of death]. If someone sows a Tulsi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krsna. And when the Tulsi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krishna, there is the full development of love of Godhead."

Astrological Significance of Tulsi:

When a girl having strong Manglik Dosh or Negative Planetary positions (from Marriage point of view), she is advised to go for Kumbh Vivah on the auspicious day of "Tulsi Vivah" (next day of Prabhodhani Ekadashi). By doing so, Maa Tulsi blessing eradicates all the ill effect of Planets causing her Marriage issues.

Medical Significance of Tulsi:

The Tulsi (holy basil) is also a herbal remedy for a lot of common/complex ailments. Here're few top medicinal uses of tulsi:

1. Healing Power (Immunity):  The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.

2. Cures a fever: Tulsi has very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties that are great for resolving fevers. It has the potential to cure any fever right from those caused due to common infections to those caused due to malaria as well. In ayurveda, it is strongly advised that a person suffering from fever should have a decoction made of tulsi leaves.

During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against theses diseases. In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever.

3. Coughs: Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma.

4. Diabetes: leaves of holy basil are packed with antioxidants and essential oils that produce eugenol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene.  Collectively these substances help the pancreatic beta cells (cells that store and release insulin) function properly. This in turn helps increase sensitivity to insulin.

5. Sore Throat: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.

6. Kidney Stone: Tulsi has a great effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract. The holy basil being a great diuretic and detoxifier is great for the kidneys. It helps reduce the uric acid levels in the blood (one of the main reasons for kidney stones is the presence of excess uric acid in the blood), helps cleanse the kidneys, the presence of acetic acid and other components in its essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones.

7. Protects the heart: Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol. Tulsi has a powerful anti-oxidant component called Eugenol. This compound helps blood pressure under control.

8. Stress: Basil leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Having 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, stress can be prevented.

9. Cancer: With strong anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties tulsi has been found to help stop the progression of breast cancer and oral cancer (caused due to chewing tobacco). This is because its compounds restrict the flow of blood to the tumor by attacking the blood vessels supplying it.

10. Mouth Infections: The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. Having few leaves daily in the morning with empty stomach, will cure ulcer and infections.

12. Skin: Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are very effective in preventing breakouts on acne prone skin.

13. Teeth Disorder: The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

14. Eye Disorders: Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.

Please Note: We should not chew Tulsi leaves as it may have negative impact of Mercury, rather we should take tulsi leaves in alternate ways (like with water or juice).

Who is Tulsi (Maa Tulsi Katha - तुलसी विवाह कथा):
एक लड़की थी जिसका नाम
वृंदा था राक्षस कुल में उसका जन्म हुआ था बचपन से
ही भगवान विष्णु
जी की भक्त थी.बड़े
ही प्रेम से भगवान
की सेवा,पूजा किया करती थी.जब
वे बड़ी हुई तो उनका विवाह राक्षस कुल में दानव
राज जलंधर से हो गया,जलंधर समुद्र से उत्पन्न हुआ
था.वृंदा बड़ी ही पतिव्रता स्त्री थी सदा अपने
पति की सेवा किया करती थी.
एक बार देवताओ और दानवों में युद्ध हुआ जब जलंधर युद्ध पर
जाने लगे तो वृंदा ने कहा - स्वामी आप युध पर
जा रहे है आप जब तक युद्ध में रहेगे में पूजा में बैठकर
आपकी जीत के लिये अनुष्ठान
करुगी,और जब तक आप वापस
नहीं आ जाते में अपना संकल्प
नही छोडूगी,जलंधर तो युद्ध में चले
गये,और वृंदा व्रत का संकल्प लेकर पूजा में बैठ
गयी,उनके व्रत के प्रभाव से
देवता भी जलंधर को ना जीत सके सारे
देवता जब हारने लगे तो भगवान विष्णु जी के पास
गये.
सबने भगवान से प्रार्थना की तो भगवान कहने लगे
कि – वृंदा मेरी परम भक्त है में उसके साथ छल
नहीं कर सकता पर देवता बोले - भगवान दूसरा कोई
उपाय भी तो नहीं है अब आप
ही हमारी मदद कर सकते है.
भगवान ने जलंधर का ही रूप रखा और वृंदा के
महल में पँहुच गये जैसे ही वृंदा ने अपने
पति को देखा,वे तुरंत पूजा मे से उठ गई और उनके चरणों को छू
लिए,जैसे ही उनका संकल्प टूटा,युद्ध में देवताओ ने
जलंधर को मार दिया और उसका सिर काटकर अलग कर
दिया,उनका सिर वृंदा के महल में गिरा जब वृंदा ने देखा कि मेरे
पति का सिर तो कटा पडा है तो फिर ये जो मेरे सामने खड़े है ये
कौन है?
उन्होंने पूँछा - आप कौन हो जिसका स्पर्श मैने किया,तब भगवान
अपने रूप में आ गये पर वे कुछ ना बोल
सके,वृंदा सारी बात समझ गई,उन्होंने भगवान
को श्राप दे दिया आप पत्थर के हो जाओ,भगवान तुंरत पत्थर के
हो गये सबी देवता हाहाकार करने लगे
लक्ष्मी जी रोने लगे और प्राथना करने
लगे यब वृंदा जी ने भगवान को वापस
वैसा ही कर दिया और अपने पति का सिर लेकर वे
सती हो गयी.
उनकी राख से एक पौधा निकला तब भगवान विष्णु
जी ने कहा –आज से इनका नाम
तुलसी है,और मेरा एक रूप इस पत्थर के रूप में
रहेगा जिसे शालिग्राम के नाम से
तुलसी जी के साथ
ही पूजा जायेगा और में
बिना तुलसी जी के भोग
स्वीकार नहीं करुगा.तब से
तुलसी जी कि पूजा सभी करने
लगे.और तुलसी जी का विवाह शालिग्राम
जी के साथ कार्तिक मास में
किया जाता है.देवउठनी एकादशी के दिन
इसे तुलसी विवाह के रूप में मनाया जाता है....

Jai Maa Tulsi