Think of Sweet basil if your pet has a fever, cough or cold

Introduction Called sweet basil in the west and Tulsi in India, this precious plant has been venerated since time immemorial in India. A shrub that under the most optimal conditions of growth develops in to a large bush, the tulsi plant has been and is a symbol of sanctity, piety and purity. Called Ocimum sanctum by botanists the world over, this lovely shrub bears leaves and seeds that have some very remarkable properties.

Even if you had a pet elephant, tiger or leopard, you can safely use the leaves of sweet basil to heal them.

Medicinally active constituents
The leaves and seeds of Tulsi have been found to contain eugenol, methyleugenol, eugenal, carvacrol and caryophylline.

Listed below are some ways in which you can use sweet basil to heal both your pets and the wild animals that you may come across occasionally either in the confines of a protected environment like the zoo or a national park.

Fever! Fever!
Your pet's running a temperature! What do you do? Do you run to get some aspirin, acetaminophen or diclofenac sodium. Don't ever do that. Did you know that most of the medications that bring down fever are dangerously toxic to your pet's health. Yes! At high doses, these drugs can even kill your pet. Even if you give the medications at the doses prescribed by your family veterinarian, the adverse effects that the medications cause can be rather severe. Gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer, nausea, liver dysfunction are just some of the many long term complications of using such medication.

However, there are alternatives available that heal your pet gently and soothingly. One of them is to make a lovely herbal tea of sweet basil, turmeric and pepper. Your pet's fever will be gone in no time, gently and soothingly. Of course with no adverse reaction.

The next time your pet has a fever, cough and cold you can brew a soothing decoction of sweet basil, pepper and turmeric. Chances are that with a few swigs of the decotion, your pet's health will be pepped up. A terrific way to take care of the fevers!

In mild upper respiratory infections, coughs and colds
You can now safely stop thinking of antibiotic syrups, injections and tablets when your pet is down with a mild upper respiratory infection, cough and cold. Apply a gentle, soothing balm made from the leaves of mint and eucalyptus oil on your pet's chest and throat.

When your pet is down with the vapours suffering coughs and colds, you can give your pet that vital elixir for cure. A decotion of tulsi leaves, boiled in milk with a whiff of pepper and turmeric can bring your pet around. Keep your pet warm and comfortable. You can now heal your pets the way nature meant your pet to heal.

Sweet basil gently heals bacterial and fungal skin infections
Another area where the leaves of sweet basil are especially useful is whenever your pet has a bacterial or fungal skin infection. Take a bunch of fresh Tulsi leaves. Grind them to a fine paste. Extract the juice from the ground leaf paste. Apply a teaspoon of the extracted juice thrice or four times every day. You must do this everyday for at least a few weeks.

Other conditions where the leaves and seeds of sweet basil have been found useful are in improving indigestion, improving appetite, reducing pain and malaise.

Conclusion
Plant a sacred grove of sweet basil shrubs in your garden today!