How To Use Tulsi, The Ayurvedic Elixir, For Your Skin Disorders?

How To Use Tulsi, The Ayurvedic Elixir, For Your Skin Disorders?

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Are you looking for a way to switch from chemical infused products to Ayurvedic, home remedies when it comes to skincare? Then you have to begin with ‘The Queen Of Herbs’, which is how Ayurveda describes Tulsi or the holy basil.

From being worshiped in Hindu homes, to being a staple in Indian cuisine, this herb has never ceased to surprise us. Tulsi has different effects on the tridoshas of our prakriti.

So, in order to benefit from it, you first need to identify the type of skin you have and then use Tulsi for your skincare needs. Let’s find out how.

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

“Tulsi has positive effects on the skin’s immunity. It is Kushtha-hara and Krimi-Hara. Tulasi, heals skin disorders and is a strong antimicrobial, rendering the skin free of troubles.”

-Dr. Zeel Gandhi (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine & Surgery), Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

What Is The Origin Of Tulsi?

Tulsi or the holy basil is considered to be a sacred plant by the Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, Tulsi is a form of goddess Lakshmi. Therefore, the Tulsi is planted inside Hindu households and worshiped daily. Ayurvedic medicine books, written in the Vedic period (3500–1600 B.C.) describe the practice of using Tulsi as a medicinal plant. [1]

Its scientific name is Ocimum Sanctum, and it is a perennial plant with a distinct aroma. Found originally in the Indian subcontinent, Tulsi has many healing qualities. It is an antibacterial, antifungal and also anti-inflammatory agent.

Ayurveda says that Tulsi or Tulasi has no other equivalent in the family of herbs. It is ‘surasa’, which means good taste and ‘surabhi svadu gandha’, meaning it has a good scent.

Ideally, there are two varieties of Tulsi, these are Shukla Tulsi which has a whiter shade and Krishna Tulsi which has a darker shade. Tulsi balances vata and kapha dosha and is pitta vardhini which means it aggravates pitta dosha in the body. Tulsi is also considered sattvic in Ayurveda and can be consumed by everyone.

Its Sanskrit translation means ‘the incomparable one’, and there is scientific proof that Tulsi can provide relief from physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress through a unique combination of pharmacological actions. [2]

Studies show that oil extracted from Tulsi plants at concentrations of 4.5% and 2.25% completely inhibits the growth of bacteria like E. coli. [3] Water infused with its leaves helps in detoxifying your body and purifying your blood due to its sodhana properties. It is also said that Tulsi increases prana (life force). [4]

The word basil is derived from a Greek word ‘basileus’ which means royal or king. It has a spiritual significance in both Hinduism and Greek mythology.

Benefits Of Tulsi For Skin

Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix says that, “Tulsi has positive effects on the skin’s immunity. It is Kushtha-hara and Krimi- Hara. Tulasi, heals skin disorders and is a strong antimicrobial, rendering the skin free of troubles.” Listed below are its many benefits.

1. Protects From Bug Bites

Tulsi holds esteem in Ayurveda because of its medicinal values and skincare benefits. It provides relief from itchiness, redness and skin inflammations caused by insect bites.

According to research conducted by MHRA (The Plant Cultures project of Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) of the UK, the oil extracted from a Tulsi plant acts as a natural antiseptic. Bathing with Tulsi-infused water every day can protect you from a multitude of insects.

Vedix Tip: Boil 2 cups of water and add 15 gm of dried basil leaves to it. Strain the water and store it and apply it on bug bites.

2. Deep Cleaning

Your skin takes a lot throughout the day due to pollution, heat, dust and toxins that load up in your pores. Cleaning your face with Tulsi gives a deep cleansing effect by removing the dirt and excess unwanted oils. If you have oily skin, this Ayurvedic herb is the best for you. Tulsi contains camphene which acts as a natural toner that removes excess oil from your skin. [5]

3. Acne Prevention

The biggest concern for people with kapha dominant skin is acne. The antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics of Tulsi purify your blood and remove toxins and bacteria from your skin. Tulsi is an astringent that soaks up the excess oil and moisture from your acne, lowering the swelling of pimples by alleviating the inflammation.

4. Anti-aging

Tulsi balances the free radicals in your skin and rejuvenates it, giving back your natural glow. Over-exposure to the sun may also accelerate the early signs of aging, as the natural oils get washed out and skin loses its elasticity. The antioxidants present in Tulsi leaves help in preventing these signs.

5. Anti-Pigmentation & Glow

A Tulsi face pack mixed with some other ingredients is not only antimicrobial, anti-bacterial but also anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. It reduces hyperpigmentation and adds a brighter and even tone to your skin.

The detoxifying effect of this herb gives your skin relief from pollution and dark spots. Since Tulsi is packed with vitamins, electrolytes, minerals and phytonutrients, consuming the leaves can also benefit your skin’s texture.

6. Blackhead Remover

If you have a lot of blackheads or whiteheads, you should know that they are the open dead skin cells on the skin surface, which are the result of clogged hair follicles. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits of Tulsi eliminates these problems easily. [6]

Is Applying Tulsi Good For The Face?

Tulsi is absolutely essential and safe for your face and skin. You can mix it with other ingredients or even directly rub the leaves of the plant on your skin if needed. Unless you have a specific allergy to this plant there is no harm in applying it to the skin. Our Ayurvedic doctors would nevertheless suggest you consult your dermatologist before using it.

How To Apply Tulsi On The Face?

Tulsi face pack

There are various ways in which you can use Tulsi on your skin:

  • You can simply make a paste with its leaves.
  • You can infuse the leaves in your tea.
  • You can mix its powder with other herbal powders to make a cleanser.
  • You can also use coarsely churned Tulsi powder as an exfoliator.
  • Oil extracted from Tulsi plants can be used as a moisturizer.

A. Tulsi As A Cleanser

Method 1: Take fresh Tulsi leaves and dry them for 5-6 days. Once dried, turn them into a powder. Take one spoon of Tulsi powder with 1 spoon of curd, make a thick paste and apply on your face. Leave it for 15 minutes and scrub it off later.

Method 2: Take fresh Tulsi leaves, add water and an egg white and make a paste. Apply this mixture on your face and wash it off after 10-15 minutes. Apply this face mask twice a week.

Method 3: Take 1 tbsp of Tulsi powder, 1 tbsp multani mitti, a few drops of olive oil, few drops of rose water and water. Make a smooth paste with the ingredients and apply it to your face. Leave the pack on for half an hour and wash it off with cold water.

B. Tulsi For Acne

Method 1: Take 2-3 tbsp of Tulsi leaves, 2-3 tbsp of neem leaves and 1-2 cloves. Blend all ingredients together and add water to make a smooth paste. Clean your face with cold water and then apply this paste as a face pack and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water.

Method 2: Take 1 cup of Tulsi powder and 1 cup of tomato pulp and make a smooth paste. Apply this on your face and wash it off after 15 minutes with cold water.

C. Tulsi For Blemishes

Method 1: Take a cup of Tulsi powder, 1 tbsp dried orange peel or orange peel powder, 2 tbsp raw milk, ½ tbsp honey. Mix all ingredients into a smooth paste and apply on your face or any parts of your skin that have dark spots or pigmentation. Let the pack dry for 10 minutes and then wash it with cold water. Orange peel contains vitamin C that lightens skin.

Method 2: Take 1 cup Tulsi powder, 1 tbsp lime juice and 2 tsp honey. Make a paste by adding water if needed and apply on your face. Let it dry completely and then wash it off.

D. Tulsi For Facial Glow

Method 1: Make an exfoliating mask with 1 tbsp of Tulsi, 1 tbsp of oatmeal powder and a little bit of milk. Apply this mask on your face and scrub it off after 15 minutes with cold water.

Method 2: Take 30-40 fresh Tulsi leaves, 2 tbsp gram flour, 1 tsp honey and the required amount of water. Make Tulsi infused water, mix in the gram flour and honey to make a smooth paste. Apply the mask on your face and wash it with lukewarm water after 15 minutes.

Method 3: Take 1 tbsp of Tulsi powder, 1 tbsp of sandalwood powder, a few drops of olive oil and 1 tbsp of rose water. Make a smooth paste and apply it on your face and shoulder and let it dry fully before washing it with cool water.

E. Homemade Toner

Now you can make your own toner anytime from the comfort of your home. All you have to do is boil a couple of fresh Tulsi leaves and use the infused water on your face daily. You can also take a bath with this water as it acts as a bug repellant.

How Much To Use?

An adult can use 500 mg of Tulsi every day and can see results after using it for 3 months or more. If you are using Tulsi leaf extract, make sure it has at least 4% concentration and use it twice daily for 30 days to see visible results. [7]

Side Effects Of Tulsi On Face

It is observed that consuming Tulsi leaves at higher doses can cause low blood sugar levels, nausea, diarrhea and have anti-fertility effects. But there are no recorded or proven side effects of applying Tulsi on your face or skin directly. Despite that, our Ayurvedic experts recommend you to consult a dermatologist before using it in your skincare routine.

The Last Word

It is not surprising to note that the ancient people of the Indian subcontinent celebrated the Tulsi plant, as it truly is an elixir for the skin. This Ayurvedic herb is easy to use and has many skin-related benefits so that you won’t need to step out of your home for your skincare products.

Know Your Dosha Now
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