Best Ways to Eat Tulsi Leaves on an Empty Stomach

Herbs grown in the garden can become a source of energy and inspiration in one’s life. There are some plants that have medicinal properties and may be needed. These herbs can help solve your health problems before you need to consult a doctor. Tulsi is an herb that has many health benefits. Let us know about seven good ways to eat tulsi leaves on an empty stomach. Also, please let us know about the health benefits of tulsi.

Best Ways to Eat Tulsi Leaves on an Empty Stomach

There are many ways to consume tulsi leaves internally. Here are the 7 best ways to eat tulsi leaves on an empty stomach.

1) Tulsi water

Drinking tulsi water on an empty stomach is the best way to consume tulsi. Start your day with a glass of tulsi-infused water. Take some fresh tulsi leaves and wash them with clean water. Then, soak those leaves in hot water for a few minutes. Then, if you want, you can filter it and drink it. Otherwise, you can drink it without filtering. Drinking this mixture on an empty stomach helps with digestion and detoxification of the body. Thus, you will feel fresh at the start of your morning.

2) Tulsi leaves can be consumed raw

Tulsi is a nectar-like herb that can be consumed in the form of leaves. In India, there is a popular ritual of chewing 3–4 leaves on an empty stomach in the morning to boost immunity. Thus, consuming tulsi is an excellent way to boost your immunity. If you grow tulsi plants in your home, you can reap the benefits of fresh tulsi leaves. They are more natural than those available on the market. When you chew tulsi leaves, it is recommended that you chew them to extract the phytonutrients.

3) Drinking adaptogenic tulsi or basil tea

Adaptogen is a term that refers to the herb, and it supports a healthy stress response by balancing various processes in the body, such as hormonal cascades and brain chemistry. Tulsi is a mild adaptogen, so it can be consumed daily as a tea. If travelling is causing you stress, Tulsi can help bring your body back into balance. Tulsi is a powerful herb that helps stabilize and restore the damaged nervous system. Tulsi helps your body deal with physical, chemical, digestive, and psychological stress. These adaptogenic properties may be needed in daily or stressful situations. The process for making adaptogenic tulsi tea is as follows:

Ingredients

• Water: 1 cup
• Dried tulsi (or a handful of fresh basil leaves and flowers): 1-2 teaspoons

Directions

• First, boil the water in a clean vessel.
• Pour boiled water into a heat-resistant vessel and place tulsi leaves on it.
• Cover the teapot with tulsi, hot water, and a heat-resistant lid.
• Wait for 15-20 minutes for the tea to boil.
• After 20 minutes, strain the tulsi, and the tea is ready.
• Now you can enjoy ready-made tulsi tea.

Caution: Adaptogens should not be used in place of good sleep habits, exercise, and a healthy diet. Along with self-care, tulsi tea can also be used.

4) Tulsi powder

It is easy to consume tulsi powder. Dry tulsi leaves can be used for this. Tulsi leaves can be dried hygienically at home or purchased from the market. These dry tulsi leaves can be ground into a fine powder, and some honey, water, or ghee can be added to it. This tulsi or basil powder mixture can be consumed on an empty stomach to get relief from some respiratory problems, like coughs. It helps improve overall respiratory health.

Ghee or honey will remove the slight bitterness of dried tulsi leaves and give them a flavour.

Ingredients

• Tulsi leaf powder:  ½ tsp
• Ghee, oil, or honey: 1-2 teaspoons

Directions

• Take out some tulsi or basil leaf powder.
• Mix that tulsi or basil powder in ghee, oil, or honey and keep mixing them until they are completely mixed.
• You can vary the amount of ghee, oil, or honey you choose.
• In traditional medicine, tulsi paste is consumed 1-2 times a day.

5) Basil juice (tulsi juice)

Drinking tulsi juice is as important as drinking healthy fruit juices. In Indian tradition, tulsi or basil juice mixed with honey is used in the treatment of certain health problems like coughs, colds, and respiratory problems. This delicious juice is helpful in reviving the body’s immune system. Tulsi can be used not only internally but also externally and topically to treat fungal infections. Drinking tulsi juice balances various processes in the body, which helps in dealing with stress. Below is the method for making tulsi juice.

Ingredients

• Water: 1/2 cup
• Fresh tulsi leaves: 1 cup

Directions

• Take some fresh tulsi or basil leaves and wash them.
• Now put tulsi and water in a mixer or blender.
• Mix it well until a good paste is formed.
• Now, filter the mixture through a sieve and take it out in a cup.
• You can drink filtered tulsi juice.

6) Tulsi detox smoothie

You can prepare a delicious tulsi smoothie. This tulsi smoothie is rich in nutrients, and drinking it on an empty stomach helps flush out toxins, improve digestion, and provide good energy. Adding tulsi leaves to your morning routine on an empty stomach will help your overall health and well-being. The recipe for making tulsi detox smoothie is explained below:

Ingredients

• Tulsi leaves
• Pineapple
• Cucumber
• Ginger (only a small piece)

Directions

• Take some fresh tulsi leaves and wash them.
• Then, have some fruits like pineapple, cucumber, ginger, etc. Wash them, clean them, and cut them into small pieces.
• Mix washed tulsi leaves with other chopped ingredients.
• Grind all these ingredients well in a blender. After grinding, you will get this blend of detoxifying tulsi fruit smoothies.
• Start your morning with this tulsi herbal smoothie for a healthy start to your day. If a person consumes tulsi in the form of a smoothie, juice, tea, or green leaf, it can maintain energy and provide longevity-promoting benefits.

7) Applying a paste of tulsi leaves mixed with honey or ghee

Making a paste from tulsi or basil leaves is very simple. Consuming tulsi leaves in this way increases immunity and relieves sore throats. Tulsi leaves provide natural energy and motivation to make your day stress-free.

• You can take a handful of tulsi and a little honey.
• Then, mix them.
• This mixture can be consumed in the morning.
• Consuming tulsi can improve your immune system, which can improve your personal health. If you have a tulsi plant in your house, then you can get its health benefits by consuming tulsi in the above-mentioned ways.

How is tulsi used as a mouthwash?

Tulsi or basil especially has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, due to which it is useful in mouthwash. Here, the process of preparing mouthwash from tulsi is described:

Ingredients

• Fresh tulsi leaves: 1 handful, about 1/2 cup, or dried tulsi leaves: 2 tablespoons
• Water: 1 cup

Directions

• Place the tulsi in a temperature-protected bowl. If you are using tulsi leaves, wash them and place them in this bowl.
• After this, in another pan, add the prescribed amount of water.
• Now boil the water and turn off the gas.
• Pour boiled water into the bowl containing tulsi.
• Cover the tulsi and hot water mixture with a heat-resistant lid. Wait for 20 minutes so that the tulsi juice gets absorbed into the water.
• Now, strain the tulsi leaves from the water using a strainer.
• Pour the filtered tulsi water into a bottle or jar and let it cool to room temperature.
• Once the temperature cools down, your mouthwash is ready.
• You can gargle this mouthwash for 20–30 seconds. However, do not keep it in the refrigerator; use it on the same day it is prepared.

Health Benefits of Tulsi 

Consuming tulsi and applying it topically can provide many health benefits. Following are the health benefits of tulsi:

1) Enhances natural immunity

Tulsi contains vitamin C and zinc, which help increase immunity and also protect us from various infections.

2) Reduces colds, coughs, and other respiratory disorders

Tulsi contains camphene, eugenol, and cineole, which help in reducing mucus and phlegm in the chest.

3) Reduces fever and acts as a pain reliever

The anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties present in tulsi help in reducing fever and have pain-relieving properties, which help in reducing some body pains.

4) Anti-cancer properties

The phytochemicals present in tulsi have antioxidant properties that help fight cancer.

5) Reduces stress and blood pressure

Ocimumosides A and B present in tulsi help in reducing stress, and their anti-inflammatory properties also reduce blood pressure.

6) Good for heart health

Tulsi has high antioxidant properties that help prevent heart disease.

7) Good for skin

Tulsi contains antioxidants that help prevent ageing. Apart from this, it helps remove acne and skin infections, hide dark spots, and improve skin texture.

8) Helps against kidney stones and arthritis

Tulsi detoxifies one’s body and also reduces uric acid in one’s body, which can help kidney stone and arthritis patients.

9) Useful in gastrointestinal disorders

Tulsi leaves generally help reduce indigestion and loss of appetite, and they are used to treat gas and bloating.

10) Reduction in diabetes

Tulsi leaves have hypoglycemic effects and have been shown to have a stimulating effect on insulin production, which may help diabetics.

11) Good for hair

Tulsi is very beneficial for hair. It strengthens the hair roots and prevents their fall. Tulsi has anti-fungal properties, which prevent the growth of fungus, dry scalp, and dandruff. Along with this, it also prevents hair from turning grey and keeps it thick and black.

12) Helps treat insect bites

Extracts of tulsi leaves can be used to reduce the pain of insect bites. Apart from this, it also reduces swelling or irritation.

13) Oral and dental health

Tulsi is used in herbal toothpaste, which has teeth and gum-strengthening properties. Additionally, it provides oral hygiene.

14) Eczema treatment

Tulsi can be used in the form of tablets and topical ointments to treat skin conditions such as eczema.

15) Fights infection

Tulsi is known to have antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms, such as Candida albicans and Escherichia coli. Tulsi also has antibacterial activity.

16) Helps in weight loss

Tulsi helps with weight loss. Tulsi tea helps regulate your digestion and helps your body absorb essential nutrients. Along with this, it also improves your digestive system.

17) Protects eyes

Tulsi provides immediate treatment for some eye-related problems. Tulsi eyewash helps reduce pressure on your eyes and soothe them. Additionally, it also prevents some eye-related problems, like conjunctivitis and boils.

18) Prevention of premature aging

Vitamin C, A, and phytonutrients found in tulsi protect the body from premature ageing.

19) Fights against cancer

It helps fight cancer. Tulsi leaves have anticarcinogenic properties that help fight cancer.

20) Helps in stopping smoking

By eating tulsi leaves, a person can get rid of the nicotine content accumulated from smoking. Instead of smoking, you can also drink tulsi tea.

What is Tulsi?

Tulsi is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, Malaysia, and the western Pacific. It is an aromatic perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The scientific name of Tulsi is Ocimum tenuipilorum. Although tulsi is believed to have originated in India, it is now widely cultivated in Southeast Asia and tropical regions of the eastern world.

Tulsi is an aromatic shrub often used in Siddha and Ayurvedic medicines. In Ayurvedic medicine, Tulsi is known as the “Queen of Herbs.” In Hinduism, Tulsi is considered the female form and wife of Lord Krishna.

Conclusion

Tulsi is a powerful herb that can be a great addition to your daily life. Its Ayurvedic use is to take dry tulsi powder mixed with one spoon of ghee, oil, or honey. This product helps enhance the digestive system.

Tulsi helps with mental ability and memory. Additionally, it also has the properties to control depression and anxiety. Additionally, basil (Tulsi) is helpful in balancing the nervous system as it is believed to strengthen nerve tissue. To get the health benefits of Tulsi, you can consume it in the form of fresh leaves, powder, or paste.

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