Tulsi, also known as the Holy Basil, is a sacred plant that you will find in most Indian households. It is often seated out in the aangan or a courtyard, watered carefully and worshiped by the members of the family. While Tulsi has a special religious significance, it is also prized for its medicinal qualities. According to Ayurveda and traditional medicine, the bitter and slightly astringent Tulsi leaves are nature's best antibiotics. According to Ayurveda Expert, Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, "The essential oils found in Tulsi, effectively act on our respiratory system."

Tulsi leaves are definitely one of the most commonly used ingredients in many Indian home remedies. Be it a kadha to cure a congested chest and cough or a warm and soothing tea to relieve fever, Tulsi find its way in many natural remedies that mothers and grandmothers swear by. It is also often recommended to start your day by having two to three fresh Tulsi leaves on an empty stomach. It is a great blood purifier and is known to flush out toxins and clean your internal systems. Along with this comes the advice to not chew Tulsi leaves but instead swallow them. There has been ever-growing debate on whether Tulsi leaves should be swallowed of chewed with more support for the former as chewing them may bring certain negative consequences.