L-KSVMP&EM an IVF Project

LESSER – KNOWN SPECIES OF VEGETABLES, MEDICINAL PLANTS AND EDIBLE MUSHROOMS: NEW GROWING TRENDS IN CONTEXT OF V4 COUNTRIES COOPERATION

Ocimum sanctum (syn. Ocimum tenuiflorum)




ENG Holy basil
SK bazalka posvätná
CZ bazalka posvátná
PL bazylia azjatycka
HU  

Taxonomic characteristic

Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae, Genus: Ocimum

Using

It is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes (for example help to suppress pain, regulated digestive tract, like a good blood purifier, also strengthens the heart muscles and improved skin related problems and many other), and for its essential oil, but most commonly is consumed as an herbal tea, though it is also used in cooking. Alcohol extracts from the plant heal peptic ulcers. We use seed, leaves, flowers or whole plant

Botanical charakteristic

Holy basil (Tulsi) is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, and cultivated and naturalised in other tropical areas.

It is an erect, much branched subshrub, 30–60 cm tall with hairy stems and simple opposite green or purple leaves that are strongly scented. Leaves have petioles and are ovate, up to 5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. The flowers are purplish in elongate racemes in close whorls.


Why to have the plant in your garden:

The Tulsi plant has many medicinal properties, because the leaves are packed with antioxidants and essential oils. It has very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties.

Text:

Ing. Ján Farkaš, SUA, Nitra, Slovak Republic

Photo:

Dr. Ivana Mezeyová, SUA, Nitra, Slovak Republic

Links to scientific articles

http://www.ayushveda.com/herbs/ocimum-sanctum.htm

http://studies-in-botany.blogspot.sk/2013/12/details-about-ocimum-tenuiflorumtulasi.html

http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/ocimum-tenuiflorum-holy-basil