The Tulasi plant is venerated in India by the Hindus like the Vervein was amongst the Romans. Its worship is expounded in the Tulasikavaçam, a little book composed of two parts: the first being the Tulasikavaçam proper or “Tulasi amulet,” from the Tulasimáhátmya of the Brahmanda Purana, and the second, a hymn in honour of the plant by a certain Pundaríka. The Tulasi is invoked for the protection of all parts of the body in life and death, and especially in its quality of putradah putrakánkshinám, or “giver of children.” The plant is the beloved of the gods and of pious persons, to whom it affords its amrita (ambrosia); it is especially dear to Vishnu and Lakshmi, whence its synonyms Haripriya, Vishnupriya and Lakshmipriya. The divine Nárada has sung the praises of this immortal plant, which contains in itself every perfection, cures every ill, and purifies and guides to the heavenly paradise those who worship it. The mystery of the Tulasi is the mystery of the Creator.
The worship of the plant is strongly recommended to Vishnuites in the latter part of the Padmapurana, and it is also worshipped by the followers of Siva. Krishna, the popular incarnation of Vishnu, has adopted this herb for his cult, whence the name Krishna-tulasi. Sita, according to the Ramayana, was turned into a Basil plant, which on this account bears the synonym Sitahvaya. The connection between the Tulasi and the Amrita is indicated by the suspension over the plant of a dropping pot of water in the month Vaisakh. Worshippers of Vishnu wear a necklace of Tulasi beads, and the Vishnu dútas or “messengers of Vishnu,” carry tulasimani rosaries. When a Hindu dies, his head is washed with water in which are placed Tulasi leaves and Sesamum seeds, and a sprig of the plant is placed upon his breast as a viaticum. According to the Kriyáyogasaras, the devout worshipper of the Tulasi is privileged to ascend to Vishnu's paradise accompanied by 10 millions of his kindred. The wretch who destroys the plant is abhorred of Vishnu, and can never hope for any prosperity; it may only be plucked for religious or medicinal use and when offering the following prayer:—[…]
The words of the prayer the book prints at the end of the second paragraph are left out: it is a devotional text of a living faith, not botany or medicine.