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Can we chew tulsi leaves?
  • gaurangi
    Is it okay to chew tulsi leaves? I've always swallowed them, but recently, a devotee said we should actually chew them in order to taste them?
  • Kula-pavana
    yes, we should fully taste the prasadam Tulasi leaves in order to properly appreciate the wonderful qualities of Srimati Tulasi-devi. We should smell and taste Tulasi because such sensations are very purifying.
  • Tamal Krsna dasa
    I have always been told that we SHOULD NOT chew tulasi. Perhaps there is some documentation on this?
  • dasi
    try to eat an indian tulasi leave without chewing it... it's not possible. they are huge!
  • Kula-pavana
    Can you actually taste Tulasi without chewing it? Chewing Tulasi leaves is also one of the more common reccomendations from Ayur-veda.
  • Tamal Krsna dasa
    Perhaps I should add that I personally cannot honor tulasi without chewing her. I have only been told that we should not chew them. Regarding chewing them in relation to Ayur-veda, I didn't think it was recommended to taste tulasi for her medicinal properties. From what I understand, such things like tulasi tea and making ointments are discouraged.
  • ccd
    It is a strange question. I would put it under niamagraha category. Chaitanya Charitamrta, Madhya Lila., Ch. 23 purport of verse 105: "must avoid the principle of niyamagraha, that is, he should not try to perform the impossible." Especially if sastra does not specifically highlights this issue, considering it as a notion of possible regulation is an obstruction... for devotional service.
  • Neelima Ghosh
    We all do Tulasi Puja in the morning at 0500h collectively because Lord Krishna liked Tulasi very much. Tulasi leaves are also an integrated part of prasadam. we can certainly honour and respect Tulasi by chewing and tasting and and at the same time getting benefits of its medicinal importance.
  • NityanandaChandraNityanandaChandra
    we should not cut Tulasi, it appears however that this instruction has some how crept in to the realm of eating. It would be nice to read or hear if anyone was actually given this instruction of not chewing Tulasi by Srila Prabhupada.


    It is quite similar to the instruction of chanting the Panca Tattva Mantra before each round. This instruction was given by Srila Prabhupada that we must chant PTM before singing Maha Mantra, some how this instruction also became applied to each round, but that is not the actual instruction. No harm in chanting, only benefit, but historically it was not a rule for Japa. (you can hear Srila Prabhupada continuously chanting Hare Krishna tapes for example)

    Ys
    ncd
  • Kula-pavana
    Good points Nitai :)
  • maah!maah!
    Those tapes are loops. By the way, anyone familiar with the chanting boxes available at the bazar in Sri Vrindaban Dhama? They cost few hundred rupies and have Srila Prabhupada chanting japa on one switch and singing Maha Mantra on the other. It is looped and goes on and on without stopping.
  • NityanandaChandraNityanandaChandra
    Hare Krishna Maah! yes the tapes may be loops, but from disciples we know that it was not Srila Prabhupada's practice to chant the Pancha Tattva Mantra between each round of japa.
  • Pandu dasPandu das
    I heard or read somewhere that it is proper to chew Tulasi with the front teeth, not the back. Sorry I don't remember the source.

    Without chewing, Tulasi might not be digested, and I think it would be offensive to pass Tulsai out with the stool. Chewing with the front teeth feels right to me.
  • mpcdmpcd
    Hare Krishna

    I remember reading somewhere that SP discouraged Tulasi tea etc.
  • AnOnYmOuS
    Tulsi with Purple flowers can be chewed.. and in some areas you will find that people make Chattni.. Yougurt,Basil Leaves,garlic and green Chillis
  • gopala1008
    Am I to understand that tulsi leaves are close cousins of the basil leaf?
  • VEDAVEDA
    Yes, they are from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocimum family.
  • namaste
    If we chew on tulasi leaves are we eating Tulasi Devi??
  • NityanandaChandraNityanandaChandra
    Why not to chew on Tulasi? Because the mercury in the leaves may damage the teeth.

    This is something that I just came across recently.  Apparently that regulation is common among Hindus.  This article gives some scientific reasons why one would want to avoid chewing on Tulasi leaves. 

    The actual reason behind not chewing the Tulsi leaves is due to its mercuric content. German researchers have discovered that the leaves of the holy Tulsi plant contains traces of mercury. If the leaves are chewed, the mercury may damage the teeth. But when taken as a whole, the mercury is found beneficial for the digestive system.
    This mercury content is now being used in anti-cancer drugs.
    Thus, by weaving a legend around the Tulsi plant, the ancient Vedic Indians accomplished 2 things: firstly, the Tulsi plant would be worshipped in all homes, and thus its medicinal properties would be effectively utilised. Secondly, by calling it Lord vishnu's wife, it could not be chewed, thus preventing damage to our teeth.



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