Is it ok to use Tulsi tea - plz read - Forum - ISKCON Desire Tree

Haribol devotees,

I just wanted to hear peoples opinions on whether they think its ok to buy Tulsi tea leaves (whole ones) and to offer them to Krsna on his bhoga. (from a tulsi tea brand company selling whole leaves, not shredded)

Why i am asking is because i live near no temple, no devotees, and i want to offer Tulsi leaves to Krsna as he says he doesnt like to except anything if it doesnt have Tulsi on, I have heard. It is too hard for me to grow Tulsi as the climate where i live is cold, especially now since its winter and i feel like i am scratching (not literally) to offer Krsna some Tulsi leaves.

I do feel guilty about buying them as the company probably just takes them off Tulsi without doing the right rituals etc... but i REALLY WANT to get Tulsi devi leaves for Krsna.

I personally think Tulsi would be happy with me getting them and giving them to the lord as atleast they arnt being used for a karmis sense grat or medicinal needs.. but i still have a deep worry in my heart as i wouldnt want to be commiting and aparhada by buying them.

I know that you can say Om namo Tulsi namaha after the offering.. or you can just touch the bhoga with a Tulsi stick and its the same as having put a tulsi leaf on....... BUT i just have this passionate scratchy feeling in my head which is saying ' U need to get tulsi leaves for krsna' and it wont go away till i get some... sooo thats why i am inquiring.. otherwise i will be thinking about it for a long time and will be totally frustrated.

Tulsi Maharani ki jaya!

Ganga Mata ki jaya!

Thanks for your opinions and please forgive me for any offenses.

yas

UPDATE!

Hmmm I think I feel a bit uneasy about buying Tulsi leaves off people who dont treat her properly so I think I might leave it.. or possibly buy a tulsi necklace and take a bead off and touch that to the bhoga as I think that would be the same as a stick touching the bhoga as theyre both Tulsi wood.

Thanks for your feed backs.

Haribol!

Śrīla Prabhupāda highly glorified Tulasī Devī as a pure devotee of Lord Krishna and instructed that she must always be treated with utmost respect and devotion. However, regarding Tulasī tea — that is, using Tulasī leaves for consumption as a beverage — he gave clear cautionary instructions.

🔺 Srila Prabhupāda's Instruction on Tulasī Tea:

In a letter to Satsvarūpa Dāsa Goswami (June 7, 1976), Srila Prabhupāda wrote:

> "Tulasī leaves should not be used for concocted teas. Tulasī is a very sacred plant and should not be used for anything other than Krishna’s service. You may use it in making caranāmṛta and for offering to the Deity, but not for tea."

Similarly, in other places, he emphasized:

> “We should never enjoy Tulasī separately. She is not meant for our enjoyment; she is meant for Krishna’s enjoyment.”

✅ Acceptable Uses of Tulasī According to Srila Prabhupāda:

1. Offering on Krishna’s plate – A Tulasī leaf is placed on each food preparation before offering it to Krishna.

2. In caraṇāmṛta – A few Tulasī leaves may be added to the Deity's bathing water and then honored as prasādam.

3. Circumambulation and worship – Devotees offer water, incense, lamps, and prayers to Tulasī Devī.

4. Wearing Tulasī neck beads – For purification and remembrance of Krishna.

---

⚠️ Why Srila Prabhupāda Disapproved of Tulasī Tea:

Using Tulasī for personal sense enjoyment, even in the form of tea, is seen as a type of exploitation.

Concocting preparations with Tulasī not offered to Krishna is considered an offense (namely, seva-aparādha).

> Therefore, even if something is "herbal" or "healthy," the devotee should always ask: Is this pleasing to Krishna? Am I using Tulasī as an object of enjoyment, or as a sacred offering?

---

🌿 Summary:

Use Is it approved by Srila Prabhupāda?

Putting a leaf on bhoga ✅ Yes

Adding leaves in caraṇāmṛta ✅ Yes

Making "Tulasī tea" for personal consumption ❌ No

Using Tulasī for healing concoctions (not for Krishna) ❌ No

---

💡 If You Want to Use Tulasī Medicinally:

Srila Prabhupāda allowed Ayurvedic medicine if needed, but the intention must be Krishna-centered. For example, if a doctor (especially a Vaishnava) prescribes Tulasī extract as part of treatment and it’s not treated as a beverage or indulgence, and one remains respectful, it may be considered not offensive, but still should not be called or consumed as “tea.”

Replies

Neha June 11, 2025 at 6:35am

Śrīla Prabhupāda highly glorified Tulasī Devī as a pure devotee of Lord Krishna and instructed that she must always be treated with utmost respect and devotion. However, regarding Tulasī tea — that is, using Tulasī leaves for consumption as a beverage — he gave clear cautionary instructions.

🔺 Srila Prabhupāda's Instruction on Tulasī Tea:

In a letter to Satsvarūpa Dāsa Goswami (June 7, 1976), Srila Prabhupāda wrote:

> "Tulasī leaves should not be used for concocted teas. Tulasī is a very sacred plant and should not be used for anything other than Krishna’s service. You may use it in making caranāmṛta and for offering to the Deity, but not for tea."

Similarly, in other places, he emphasized:

> “We should never enjoy Tulasī separately. She is not meant for our enjoyment; she is meant for Krishna’s enjoyment.”

✅ Acceptable Uses of Tulasī According to Srila Prabhupāda:

1. Offering on Krishna’s plate – A Tulasī leaf is placed on each food preparation before offering it to Krishna.

2. In caraṇāmṛta – A few Tulasī leaves may be added to the Deity's bathing water and then honored as prasādam.

3. Circumambulation and worship – Devotees offer water, incense, lamps, and prayers to Tulasī Devī.

4. Wearing Tulasī neck beads – For purification and remembrance of Krishna.

---

⚠️ Why Srila Prabhupāda Disapproved of Tulasī Tea:

Using Tulasī for personal sense enjoyment, even in the form of tea, is seen as a type of exploitation.

Concocting preparations with Tulasī not offered to Krishna is considered an offense (namely, seva-aparādha).

> Therefore, even if something is "herbal" or "healthy," the devotee should always ask: Is this pleasing to Krishna? Am I using Tulasī as an object of enjoyment, or as a sacred offering?

---

🌿 Summary:

Use Is it approved by Srila Prabhupāda?

Putting a leaf on bhoga ✅ Yes

Adding leaves in caraṇāmṛta ✅ Yes

Making "Tulasī tea" for personal consumption ❌ No

Using Tulasī for healing concoctions (not for Krishna) ❌ No

---

💡 If You Want to Use Tulasī Medicinally:

Srila Prabhupāda allowed Ayurvedic medicine if needed, but the intention must be Krishna-centered. For example, if a doctor (especially a Vaishnava) prescribes Tulasī extract as part of treatment and it’s not treated as a beverage or indulgence, and one remains respectful, it may be considered not offensive, but still should not be called or consumed as “tea.”
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Mohini Madhavi June 9, 2012 at 4:50pm

You can also just call Her names 3 times after special Mantras of offering dear Mataji. Her Names are not different from Her.

Your servant,
- HariCandra > Mohini Madhavi June 10, 2012 at 11:33am
  
  Hare Krsna!!!
  
  Wow thanks so much for telling me Mataji, thats fabulous news!!!
  
  Tulsi ki jaya!!
HariCandra May 31, 2012 at 3:17pm

Hare Krsna Prabhu,

Pamho. AgtSP.

Thank you very much for that information.

What a beautiful Manjari! Tulsi Maharani ki jaya! :)

yas
Sevak

Bharat May 31, 2012 at 2:33pm

Hare Krishna

Please accept my humble obeisances.

In circumstances where Tulasi leaves are not available for offering, an alternative is to use Tulasi manjari

This can be just touched to the freshly prepared to the bhoga to be offered and resued again. Even if it gets dried up this could be used again. I have seen devotees using this as an alternative to offering Tulasi leaves. I dont know the scriptural evidence for this. If some devotee can confirm by quoting I would be glad.

YS Bharat

Tulasimanjaris.JPG

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