HERBAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS – Ocimum basilicum (TULSI)

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is a widely grown sacred plant of India. It belong to the labiateae family. It is also called by names like Manjari/Krishna tulsi (Sanskrit) Trittavu (Malayalam) Tulshi (Marathi) and Thulsi (Tamil and Telegu). It is called Holy Basil in English. The natural habitat of Tulsi varies from sea level to an altitude of 2000 m. It is found growing naturally in moist soil nearly all over the globe. In India Hindus grow Tulsi as a religious plant in their homes temples and their farms. They use Tulsi leaves in routine worship. This plant is also grown as a pot herd and in home gardens.