What do the likes of Tata-Tetley, Pothys, Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam and Swargam Apartments have in common? A tulsi drive. Charting it all out is Parampara, an organisation that aims to spread awareness on the scientific richness in our traditional practices.
Medicinal value
As per Hindu mythology, just a leaf of tulsi was apparently enough to balance the weight of Lord Krishna. And why not, tulsi is a miraculous green machine! “Research shows that because of its eugenol content, tulsi works as effective cough remedy; because of its aromatic oil content, it's a microbicidal and anti-viral agent that wards off insects; due to its ursolic acid content, it's a powerful anti-oxidant that prevents ageing and counters the effect of stress. Tulsi is also an immuno-modulant,” informs T. Thirunarayanan, secretary, Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research. But moderation is the key, as research indicates that tulsi can reduce fertility in males.
And so, over the last eight years, Parampara has been busy distributing lakhs of free tulsi saplings, setting up tulsi groves or ‘vans' in schools, apartment complexes and commercial centres, besides promoting the concept of gifting tulsi saplings at weddings and official gatherings.
Reverence for Nature
MNCs such as ITC, CavinKare and TTK have participated in Parampara's drives. “The idea is to reignite the reverence for Nature, which is the key to ecological sustenance. In Indian culture, tulsi worship stems from this reverence and empathy for Nature, with tulsi having been a focal point,” points out Manjulika Jhaver, founder of 25-year-old Parampara, which has been trying to integrate traditional wisdom with contemporary lifestyles, through its initiatives.
“The tulsi van is a nice place to breath in fresh aromatic air at, relax, meditate or just contemplate in an outdoor setting, without having to move your limbs constantly to keep off mosquitoes,” says Ramesh, who lives in Navi apartments, which has its own tulsi van.
Tulsi is perhaps the easiest of all plants to grow; and being a short, small plant, it doesn't demand much space.
While there are many varieties, the Krishna tulsi ( Ocimum gratissimum ), a shrub-like, long-living variety, has maximum medicinal value.
(For details, call Parampara at 98403-24158 / 24991516)
