Tulsi's Indian Roots

For more than 5,000 years, Tulsi has been revered as one of the most sacred herbs in India, infused with restorative power. 

Hindus view Tulsi as a goddess (a manifestation of Lakshmi) in the form of a plant bestowed with great spiritual powers. According to legend, no amount of gold could outweigh Krishna’s power, but a single Tulsi leaf placed on the pan in loving devotion tilted that scale. As Tulsi traveled west along the early trade routes from the Orient to Europe, it became known to the Christians as “sacred” or “holy” basil as is reflected in its Latin botanical name, Ocimum sanctum. 

Westerners hailed Tulsi as “The King of Herbs” and Holy Basil became part of legends, offerings and worship rituals and was viewed as a gift of Christ. In India today, almost every Hindu household cultivates a Tulsi plant. 

Tulsi is planted outside the home, and is worshipped both in the morning when the sun rises, and in the evening when the sun sets. Devotees generally water the plant while reciting holy mantras, the calling of deity’s names in Hinduism. Every part of the Tulsi plant is revered and considered sacred — even the soil around the plant is considered blessed. Tulsi leaves are used to make a delicious and refreshing tea that possesses wonderful health benefits, along with many other uses.