Medicinal use of Neem

 Neem is one of  the main ingredients in every blood purification formula used in Ayurveda and it appears in most Diabetic formulas as well. It is also used for arthritis, rheumatism, the removal of external and internal parasites, including malaria and fevers and as an insect repellent.
Neem possesses anti-diabetic, antibacterial and antipyretic (fever reducing) properties. Neem is used for a wide range of ailments including flu, fever, sore throat, cold, fungal infections, skin diseases, malaria and many more ailments.

Neem (Azadirachta indica which translates to ‘The free tree of India’ and also called Indian Lilac) not only grows in India, but also grows in regions of Burma, West Africa and Southwest Asia. It is a tropical evergreen that can reach 50 feet tall and has an estimated lifespan of around 200 years. Usually it thrives in area with sub-arid to sub-humid circumstances, with a yearly precipitation between 400 and 1200 mm. Neem is thought to have originated in Assam and Myanmar. Today, there are an estimated 20 million neem trees in India. It has extensive mention in ancient Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, for its disease fighting properties.

Each and every part of neem tree is being used and it has lots of health benefits. Below are the some of the benefits that neem possesses:

1. Cure Eczema: Recent studies indicate that neem leaf extracts (in form of a Soap or shampoo containing Neem oil) can easily relieve the itching and redness of eczema. To obtain the benefits of neem, you can take a warm bath with neem leaves in it. The neem bath heals and protects you from any minor skin infections.
2. Effective Detoxification: It works as blood purifier and is very helpful in eradicating toxins from the blood. It also helps making our immune system very strong and efficient to fight against any foreign invasion.
3. Dental care: The twig of neem tree is largely used as a tooth brush in different regions of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This keeps the teeth whiter and prevents gum problems. Neem is also used to treat bad breath, tooth decay, bleeding and sore gums and to prevent cavities. Hence, it is an important ingredient in a variety of oral care products sold worldwide.
4. Good for Digestion: Neem tea is an effective tonic for both indigestion and constipation because of the content of tict rasa. Eating neem will help get rid of intestinal worms, thus performing its role as a de-worming agent. It also eliminates the problem of acidity. It is highly recommended in hyperacidity and epigastric pain.
5. Effective against diabetes: Diabetes is a disease of excess sweetness so bitter herbs and foods must be used to counteract the imbalance. Neem has been shown to control blood sugar levels and prevent adrenaline as well as glucose induced hyperglycaemia.
6. Effective against Arthritis: The pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints in arthritis can be greatly reduced by massaging muscle aches and joints with Neem oil. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects there are several compounds like polysaccharides, catechin, and limonoids present in neem that act as pain killers.
7. Anti cancer: The polysaccharides and limonoids found in Neem not only reduce the tumors and cancers but are also effective against lymphocytic leukemia. Another protein found in the neem leaf has been found to boost the immune response and helps to kill colon cancer cells.
8. Skin care: Neem leaves paste when mixed with fresh turmeric (haldi) and applied to the face, clears the face of pimples and also reduces scars. Dry skin, dandruff, itchy scalp, wrinkles, skin ulcers and other conditions that can be effectively resolved by the use of soaps, lotions, and creams, containing Neem leaf extracts and oil.
9. Anti bacterial: Neem oil contains powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties that make it the first choice in over a hundred household, agricultural, medicinal and cosmetic products. Infections caused by bacteria (such as acne) or fungus (such as jock itch) are both curable by using neem oil. To kill germs and bacteria on your skin, boil some neem leaves in water regularly and use the water to wash your body.
10. Anti malaria: Neem usage boosts the body’s immune system making a person less likely to contract malaria and more likely to heal faster if he does. Since neem also acts as a natural pesticide, it repels mosquitoes which primarily carry malarial infection.
11. Hair health: When used as hair oil, neem promotes shiny, healthy hair, combats dryness, prevents premature graying and may even help with some forms of hair loss.
12. Contraceptive properties: Modern research suggests that neem does indeed kill sperm within seconds after contact and that the protection lasts for five hours. It is a safe and effective method of birth control, with no side effects. On top of preventing pregnancy, it may also protect from some sexually transmitted diseases.

These are the various natural health benefits that can be received from the regular intake of neem and neem leaf extracts. Since the tree is found in abundance, finding neem products is very easy.

Birth Control

According to the Neem Foundation, men taking neem tea have lower sperm count and lower sperm motility than men who are not taking the herb. Additionally, neem reduces fertility in women by weakening the lining of the uterus.

Cough Suppressant

In Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine originating in India, neem tea is used to treat upper-respiratory ailments including coughs, colds and allergies. Neem may work by relaxing the muscles surrounding the lungs; it also reduces inflammation by modulating immune response.

Anticancer Activity

According to the Neem Foundation, in-vitro (test tube) studies have demonstrated that neem tea can destroy cancer cells on contact. Early clinical trials also indicate that neem tea is a safe complementary treatment for cancer. Until further studies have validated neem’s efficacy as a cancer treatment, patients should not use it to treat cancer.

Gastrointestinal Health

Neem tea has traditionally been used to reduce nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain associated with infection. Some practitioners combine neem with other antiemetic herbs, such as ginger or turmeric, to make tonics and teas for people with stomach viruses. Women should avoid using neem to treat pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting; eHerbal notes that neem has been linked to miscarriage and preterm labor.

Parasite Elimination

In neem’s native range, where intestinal parasites are relatively common, neem tea is used to eliminate intestinal parasites. Neem may kill or weaken pinworms, roundworms and tapeworms.

 Uses of Neem
Neem extracts can be used in different industries like agricultural industry, herbal industry, pharmaceutical industry to manufacture quality natural products. Neem extracts have a high medicinal value, they are used to cure a number of diseases such as:
Malaria Prevention: Drinking neem teas or chewing a couple of leaves every day reduces the possibility of contracting malaria,a mosquito born fever. Extracts obtained by a water and acetone combination are even more effective than plain neem tea.
Apart from its use against malaria, neem plays a traditional role in the treatment of urinary disorders, skin disease, diabetes, fungi infections and viral diseases. Neem twigs contain antiseptic ingredients which provide dental hygiene. Neem is also of ecological importance:
Neem is also used cosmetically and in toiletries. In India, Neem sprigs are boiled, and the water is then used as a hair wash. Neem hair treatment clears scalp infections and dandruff and stimulates both the growth and texture of the hair and rids the scalp of nits, dry itchy scalp and excessive oiliness. It is very effective in clearing up fungal infections like athletes foot, ringworm and Candida.
Hair care:  Neem is used to prevent falling or graying of hair.  Two drops of Neem oil put in the nostril prevents falling and graying of hair. To get rid of lice and dandruff Neem oil massage should be done on scalp during night. In the morning, hair should be washed with Neem water.

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