Researchers at the SOA University here have undertaken organic farming of basil (ocimum tenuiflorum), popularly known as Tulsi, to encourage farmers to take up farming on large scale as it is of immense medicinal value in the Covid-19 period while having myriad other uses.
The SOA’s Centre for Biotechnology is working on a project on basil cultivation and research involving farmers, Project Investigator Prof Basudeb Kar said.
“Each part of the Tulsi plant such as its seed, leaf and stem have medicinal benefits if consumed as they contain enormous amounts of Vitamins A and B as also minerals like calcium, zinc and iron,” he said.
Tulsi has properties to cure illnesses like common cold, fever, cough, bronchitis, respiratory tract infection, gastric problems, gout and leprosy and could act as a preventive against infections.
“Swallowing and assimilation of decoctions of Tulsi leaves helps boost the immunity to fight the coronavirus as has been propagated by the Union Ministry of Ayush,” Prof Kar said.
The SOA has undertaken organic farming of Tulsi in three identified panchayats of Angarpada, Chhatabara and Mendhasala in Khordha district and a team has been working to create awareness among farmers so that it could help them generate sustainable livelihood, he said.
