Hyptis suaveolens - An introduction

Hyptis suaveolens - An introduction

Hyptis suaveolens - Vilayati tulsi -

Picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi




Also Known As


Vilayati tulsi,Jungli Tulsi in Hindi


Ganga tulasi or Gandha thulasi


Konda thulasi , Adavi Tulasi in Telugu.


Bhustrena in Sanskrit


American mint,Bush mint,The Chan plant in English.


This is a very common plant found in India and some parts of Asia and Latin America.They bear purplish small n  pretty flowers.
The leaves resemble Tulsi leaves but are much bigger and when crushed they give a distinct smell-hence the names.


A drink is made from the soaked seeds of the plant .
This plant has many medicinal properties.


It is also an insecticidal plant so the dried and powdered plant is used to keep off some insects.It is also known to have some larvicidal properties which can reduce the population of the infamous mosquito Aedes agypti to a certain extent.


The leaves decoction is used to wash the skin with boils and eczema.


The crushed leaves are applied on the forehead  to treat headaches .


The next post will describe the medicinal uses of the oil of this plant.