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Herb
of the Month
Margosa/Neem/Azadirachta
indica
Origin
of Herbs:
Margosa
is very common tree in India. It is a large evergreen dense
tree growing some 10 to 10.5 meter tall with a grirth of about
2-3 meter. The leaves of this tree are divided into numerous
leaflets, each resembling a full-grown leaf. The margosa tree
has played in Ayurvedic medicines and agriculture since time
immemorial .It is indigenous to south Asia, where up to twenty
million trees line the roads. The tree occurs naturally in the
Deccan peninsula, but it is cultivated allover India.
Healing
power:
Neem
tree is generally considered to be an air purifier and
preventive against malarial fever and cholera .All parts of
the tree possess medicinal properties. The leaves are useful
in relieving flatulence, promoting the removal of catarrhal
matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes, and in increasing
secretion and discharge of urine. . They also acts act as an
insecticide. The bark is a bitter tonic and a stimulant .It
arrests secretion and bleeding besides counter acting any
spasmodic disorders.
Malaria:
An
infusion or a decoction of the fresh leaves is a bitter
vegetable tonic and alternative, especially in chronic
malarial fevers because of its action on the liver. It should
be taken in doses of 15 to 60 grams.
Piles:
The
use of three grams of the inner bark of Neem with 6 grams of
jaggery every morning is a very effective in piles. To check
bleeding piles,3 or 4 neem fruits can be
administered with water.
Eczema:
The
bark of the babul tree is used in the treatment of eczema.
About 25grams each of this bark and the mango bark should be
boiled in about 1 liter of water and the vapors allowed to
ferment the affected part. After the fomentation, the affected
part should be anointed with ghee.
Leprosy:
Te
sap of the neem tree has been found effective in leprosy when
taken in daily doses of 60 grams. Simultaneously the
patient’s body should be massaged with the sap. This regimen
should be continued for 40 days. If the sap is not
available,12 gram of neem leaves and three decigrams pepper
can
be ground in water and taken.
Skin
Disorder:
The
leaves applied externally are very useful in skin disease.
They are especially beneficial in the treatment of boils,
chronic ulcers, eruptions of small pox, swelling and wounds.
They can be used either. An ointment prepared from neem leaves
is very effective in healing ulcers and wounds.
Hair
Disorder:
If
there is any hair loss or it has ceased to grow, washing with
the decoction of neem leaves may help. This will not only stop
hair from falling but also help their growth. Frequent
application of neem oil also destroys insects in the hair.
Epiphora:
The
leaves are beneficial in treating epiphora- that is watering
of the eyes, in which tears flow onto the cheeks due to
abnormality of the tear drainages system. About 250 grams of
leaves should be boiled in one and a quarter litre of water
until only a quarter liter of water is left. This should be
filtered and kept in a well –corked bottle. The eyelids
should be painted morning and evening with this liquid
Oral
Disorder:
Cleaning
the teeth regularly with a neem twig prevents gum diseases. It
firms up loose teeth, relieves toothache, evacuates the bad
odour and protects the mouth from various infections.
Other
Uses:
Neem
is very useful at the time of childbirth. Administration of
the juice of neem leaves to the woman in labour before child
birth produces normal contraction in the uterus and prevents
possible inflammation .It corrects bowls movements and checks
onset of fevers, thereby facilitating the normal delivery. The
use of tepid decoction of neem leaves as a vaginal douche
heals any wounds caused during delivery and disinfects the
vaginal passage. Neem is also a powerful insecticide to kill
soil nematodes and other plant parasites and is useful as
mosquito repellant. And neem juice is used in toothpastes and
contraceptives.
For
more details click
Ayurvedic
supplements that contains Babul:
NeemGuard
NeemOil
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