Tulasi- the holy plant and aura effect-

GREETINGS
Maintaining our traditional systems & culture can be done with due regard for eco conservation. A simple Tulasi pot and  a lamp can be easily maintained in every home and a diya (deepa) lit.Tulasi Pooja is a part of our tradition also. 

The tulasi improves the Aura all around which benefits all.This has been researched in Andhra Pradesh- see below:

Research studies by the Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas at different places in Andhra Pradesh has shown the Aura improvement from Trees and plants 

Quote" "It is surprising to know that a 5 feet and five inches and 60 to 70 kgs man would have 2.5 metres aura whereas 1ft and 5 inches height Tulasi plant, weighing hardly 150 gms, gives 6.11 metres of aura," Dr Mannem Murthy points out.

A very well written paper on Tulasi  is Reproduced and gratefully ackd.
RGDS 
TR

Trees and plants in the scriptures

http://www.hindu.com/pp/2008/09/27/stories/2008092750730700.htm

Scriptures of three religions mention their importance of trees and plants.

A must in all homes: Tulasi or basil plant is known for its medicinal properties and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. The Buddha Purnima Project Authority in Hyderabad, during this Ganesh Chathurthi season, came up with a novel idea of supplying clay idols along with the offering of fruits and leaves as a package. Nearly thousand kits were delivered to those who wished to offer genuine offerings as prescribed in the method of ‘puja’.

“We struck upon this idea when I noticed all kinds of foliage being passed as traditional ‘patri’ [offering]. Our scriptures have specific mention of which leaves and fruits to use,” N. Chandramohan Reddy, Officer of Special Duty of the authority said. He also makes a point when he says people should be exhorted to respect trees at least for their religious importance. Scriptures of three religions have mention about a great variety of plant life in them. The Koran has mention of over 100 kinds of trees, which includes Acorus calamus (sweet flag), Salvadora persica (Meswak or toothbrush tree), Lawsonia inermis (henna) and Vitis vinifera (grape vine).Especially, during the month of Ramzan, use of Meswak is mandatory as one cannot use toothpaste, except in the dawn. It is one of the ‘Sunnat’ — as the tradition of following Prophet Mohammed during Ramzan is known — to use Meswak to cleanse one’s teeth before each Namaz. Aloe vera, the plant believed to augment beauty as well as health, finds specific mention in the Bible, while Olive does so even in the Koran.

Hinduism, perhaps, accommodates more greenery in its folds than any other religion. 

This is partly due to the myriad scriptures and gods it reveres and the methodical worship of each god. Epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are replete with descriptions about nature while the 16 scriptures, such as Varaha Purana, Vamana Purana, Kumara Sambhava, Matsya Purana and Vayu Purana, considered holy by the Hindus, mention a number of other trees. Each birth star as well as constellation of Hindu astrology is associated with a specific tree.

Trees such as Emblica officinalis (Amla), Tamarindus indica (tamarind), Mangifera indica (mango), Achyranthus, Terminalia arjuna, Calotropis gigantean, Saraca indica (Ashoka), Ficus religiosa (Peepal), Zizyphus mauritiana (Indian jujube), Eclipta prostrate, Aegle marmelos (Bael tree), Michelia champaca (Champaka), Datura, Artimisia pallens (worm wood), Cynodon dactylon (Bahama grass), Leucas aspera (Thumbe), Clitoria ternatea, Syzygium cumini (Jamboo), Hibiscus rosasinensis, Asparagus racemosus (Asparagus), Anthocepalus cadamba (Kadamba), Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus), Feronia elephantum (Kapitha or Velaga), Nerium odorum (Karaveera or Ganneru), Pandanus species (screw pine), Bauhinia species, jasmine, Origanum marjorana, Mesua ferrea, betel leaf, Tabernaemontana divaricata, water lily, Vitex species, Butea monosperma, Nyctanthes arbortristis (Parijatha or night jasmine), Areca catechu (areca nut), Calophyllum inophyllum (Punnaga), Chrysanthemum species, Prosopis cineraria, Santalum album (sandal), Polianthes tuberose (tube rose), Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Rudraksha), Calotropis procera, Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Ficus racemosa (Gular fig), Mimusops elengi (Pogada), Ficus bengalensis (Banyan) and Evolvulus alsinoides (Vishnugandh) are widely used in different kinds of rituals performed by Hindus during various pujas and vratas.

Quite many plants including Holarrhena antidysenterica, Atrocarpus lakoocha, Syzygium aromaticus (cloves), Pinus longifolia (pine), Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane), Dalbergia latifolia (rosewood), and palmyra palm find special mention in the Ramayana as they supposedly existed in ‘Ashoka Vanam’ where Sita was kept imprisoned by Ravana.

Any one with even minimal knowledge of Hindu religion knows the significance of mango leaves which are used for festooning during auspicious occasions.

Peepal tree symbolises the trinity of Hindu religion Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.

Buddha is said to have attained divine knowledge sitting beneath this very tree at Gaya.

The tree is also worshipped by childless couples.

Tulsi or basil plant is widely known also for its medicinal properties and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment.

The plant’s extracts are used to prevent or cure many ailments such as common cold, headache, stomach disorders, inflammation and heart diseases. As a Mosquito repellent.

Also used in herbal toiletry, the plant is known to de-pollute the atmosphere and repel mosquitoes.

A few trees such as pomegranate find place in all the three religions.

Pomegranate is mentioned in the Koran, the Bible, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana and Vamana Purana. 

Trees such as date palm and Fig follow suit.

Adansonia digitata or the glamorous Baobab tree, native to Africa and introduced to India about 1000 years ago, is considered as ‘Kalpavriksha’ in some parts of the country.

Depending on nativity and use, many other trees such as Parijata, Peepal, banyan and coconut too are considered as ‘Kalpavrikshas.

SWATHI V.

see also-http://www.ecoindia.com/flora/trees/