Herb / Mineral of the Month

Neem

Botanical Name : AZADIRACHTA INDICA
Family Name: MELIACEAE



Part Used: LEAVES, FLOWER, OIL, SEED, BURK

Origin of Herbs:  

Neem 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 neem 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, acne , pimples 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.

Skin Disorder: 

The leaves applied externally are very useful in skin diseases. They are especially beneficial in the treatment of acne , pimples, boils, chronic ulcers, eruptions of small pox, swelling and wounds. An ointment prepared from Neem leaves is very effective in healing ulcers, diabetes, bed sore and wounds.

Eczema:

The bark of the neem 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 vapour allowed to ferment the affected part. After the fomentation, the affected part should be anointed with ghee.

Leprosy:

The 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.

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:

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.

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 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 into the cheeks due to the obstruction of lacrimalduct . About 250 grams of leaves should be boiled in one and a quarter liter 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. A Neem twig is considered a very effective toothbrush, for while its fibers clean, its juice works both as a mouth freshener, a germ-killing dentifrice & neem twigs also helps to increase the salivary secreation.

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.

The Neem is also sacred to Manasadevi, queen of the serpents, who protects people from snakebite and so, is offered Neem leaves at her altars. It is further believed that if a person lives on food cooked on a fire of Neem wood, he will be immune to snake venom.

For more details on Neem Guard Research click here........

Ayurvedic Supplements that contains Neem :