Category: Ayurveda

April 4, 2019

Health Benefits and Medicinal uses of Neem-Azadirachta indica

Introduction

Neem, (Azadirachta indica) is a tree with plenty of health benefits that holds a solid reputation in Ayurveda zone. It has many remedies that can heal a number of ailments like treat dandruff, pacify irritation, saves the skin from many diseases, accelerates wound healing, boosts the immune system and reduces the inflammation. It is also used to heal gastric troubles, enhances scalp health and hair growth, slows down the aging process, manages libido, has anti-cancer potential and useful in controlling diabetes.

Neem in fact is a native of Indian subcontinent, these days it can be found in many other parts of the world because it is used to treat a huge number of diseases in a natural way. In fact it belongs to the family of Meliaceae. These trees grow in a rapid way and have massive quality and broad spreading leaves, which drop in drought as if they want to shield the other trees and the ground. Almost all the parts of this tree are used to prepare various remedies that cure plenty of diseases.

Neem leaves are in great demand because they have numerous beneficial & medicinal properties. The neem oil is extracted from its leaves and used in multiple ways to heal many ailments. These can also be dried and burnt, they turn into a pest repellent. In India the shoots and flowers of this tree are used in culinary applications.

Health Benefits of Neem

Some of the benefits of its leaves are:

How to Use

  1. Make a paste of neem leaves and water and dab it on your wounds, repeat this process a few times in a day. It will help in reducing the inflammation and pain and heals the wounds at a fast pace.
  2. Boil a handful of neem leaves in a glass of water till its color changes to green, let it get cooled. After washing your hair with a shampoo, apply this water to your hair. It will just say goodbye dandruff.
  3. Boil some neem leaves in water for some time and let it gets cooled. Sprinkle your eyes with this water. It will certainly cure the redness, itching, and feeling tired kind of look.
  4. Grind a few neem leaves and make a paste with water and apply it on your zit (a spot on the skin) directly, acne will just dry out. This paste also helps in removing all skin blemishes, making it totally flawless and supple. Add turmeric to this paste and it helps in removing many skin problems like itching, ring worms, eczema and other skin diseases.
  5. In fact, it just enhances your immunity, crush some neem leaves in a glass of water and can be drunk straight away. I know it has a very bitter taste, you can add some honey to sweeten it. But if you pay a look at its benefits you will not mind drinking it, without worrying about the taste.
  6. Neem flowers: The whole tree is bitter, except its flowers, which have a mystic jasmine like fragrance and which blossom in the afternoon and once again during the evening. During monsoon season, you will find them scattered all over the ground in bunches. These can be used in any form fresh, dried or powdered form, mostly these are used in South India to cook  many kinds of dishes. These flowers are roasted to be sprinkled on top of some dishes to make them more impressive.
  7. Neem flowers are also used to heal anorexia, belching, nausea and intestinal worms. Aromatherapy is done with them due to their calming effect. A recent study found it’s flower’s alcoholic extract to be a nice contraceptive.
  8. Neem Twigs & Bark: If you are an Indian and live in the rural sector, early in the morning you will find lots of people chewing on neem twigs and often don’t do any toothbrush. These twigs are so beneficial for the jaw health that it  kills all the toxins that are collected during the night and stop tooth decay or after getting shredded work as threads to stop the formation of plaque. It also maintains the alkaline level of your saliva, treats swollen gums and gives you sparkling white teeth.

Amazing Health Benefits of Neem

Benefits of Neem Oil:

  • Neem oil, which is extracted from seeds of neem trees has immense medicinal properties.
  • Making it a strong ingredient of many beauty products and cosmetics like soaps, shampoos, tooth pastes, hair oils, hand wash, mosquito repellents many creams & lotions that are made to moisturize your skin and make it smooth.
  • You can also add coconut oil in it and massage your whole body to enjoy the cooling effects.
  • We Indians feed our kids with the neem oil to eradicate all diseases that are caused due to viral infections to keep them healthy.

Here are some other great uses of neem oil you may have missed:

How to Use

  1. Say no to blackheads: Take 2-3 drops of neem oil, dilute by adding some water to it and apply this mixture on your blackheads directly.
  2. Apply this regularly to get rid of blackheads and prevent them from coming back.
  3. Anti-ageing oil: Neem oil is extremely nourishing and can be applied along with your face packs. It also helps in reducing the wrinkles that appear on your face and thus prevents aging skin, any kind of skin irritation caused by the harmful rays of the Sun and reduces itching.
  4. For strong hair: Take some neem oil and rub it into the scalp with the help of your fingertips, leave it  for a while and later wash. Neem oil can make your hair strong right from the root to the tip, prevents hair fall and treats dandruff.
  5. Ayurveda uses the basic properties of neem tree to cure ailments which occur due to disturbances in Vata dosha and also reduces neuro-muscular pains. The free radicals that circulate  cause harmful effects on our body.
  6. The neem tree has anti-bacterial properties that  neutralize these free radicals and then are thrown out of the body. It also destroys the bacteria that cause so many infections and promotes healing in a rapid manner.

Note

  • The neem tree has immense medicinal properties in it and can bring lots of benefits if taken properly. Remember one thing that the neem tree should be grown in an organic way and should be free from all chemicals. But it will be a good idea to consult your Ayurvedic doctor before proceeding. He/she can guide you more properly.
Continue Reading

April 1, 2019

Ayurvedic Herbs to Manage Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes Herbal RemediesIn this shloka the symptoms of madhumeh are

  • One who passes the urine which is astringent by nature , sweet, pale and rough should be diagnosed as a case of madhumeh which because of the vitiation of vata dosha.

(Reference: Charak Samhita (Nidan Sthan): Chapter- 4 and Shloka-44)

As per Ayurveda Aspect:

  • Diabetes is correlated with madhumeh or prameh. It is described by Acharya charak in charak Samhita Nidan sthan. Prameh is a tridoshaj disease but initially, it starts with the derangement of Kapha Dosha. Excessive intake of kapha prakopak ahara vihara can lead to the vitiation of Kapha Dosha. Symptoms related to prameha are krisha (asthenic), Rauksha (dryness in the skin), Bahu pipasa (Excessive thirst), sthula (obese) and bahuasi (Excessive hunger).

diabetes treatment in ayurveda

Aetiological classification of diabetes (prameha):

  • One type is Sahaja meha which is hereditary and another one is apathyanimitajja which is acquired.

Types of prameha according to Acharya Charak:

Aphaja Prameha:

  • Udakameha, ikshubalika, sandrameha, Sandera prasadameha, shuklameha, shukrameha, siktameha, sitameha, shanairmeha and alalameha.

Pittaja prameha:

  • Kshurdrameha, kalameha, nilameha, lohitameha, manjishthameha and haridrameha.

Vataja prameha:

  • Vasameha, majjameha, hastimeha and madhumeha.

As per modern aspect:

  • Diabetes is a condition which impairs the ability of the body to process blood glucose and is a group of metabolic diseases marked by the high blood glucose level resulting from defects in insulin production. Lack of insulin production affects the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins which in turn causes disturbance of water and electrolyte homeostasis.
  • Having pre-diabetes can put you at a higher risk of getting type2 diabetes. Diabetes can damage your nerves, eyes, and kidneys and may also cause heart disease.

Type of Diabetes

What Are the types and Symptoms of diabetes?

Diabetes can be of three types:

  1. Type 1
  2. Type 2
  3. Gestational Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes:

  • This condition is also known as juvenile diabetes and can occur when the pancreas fails to produce insulin due to loss of beta cells. An individual with type 1 diabetes is mostly insulin dependent, which means the individual must take artificial insulin to stay alive. So, it is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

Type 2 diabetes:

  • In this condition, the pancreas still produces insulin but fails to  resists the insulin properly, unlike in type 1 and it affects the way the body uses insulin. It has strong links with obesity and lack of exercise. This condition is also referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes:

  • This occurs in pregnant women during pregnancy when the body becomes less sensitive to insulin. It does not occur in all pregnant women but when occurs, then it usually resolves after giving birth.

In type 1 diabetes mellitus the symptoms may develop rapidly (weeks or even months)

Symptoms related to diabetes are:

  • Blurred vision
  • Excessive thirst and hunger
  • Frequent urination
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Blurring of vision
  • Slow healing of wounds
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Skin infections
  • Tingling sensation in hands and feet
  • Darkening of skin complexion
  • Irritability
  • Excessive thirst and hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Pain in upper and lower limbs

Ayurvedic Herbs to Manage Blood Sugar Levels

Gurmaar (Gymnema sylvestrae):

  • In Hindi language, gurmaar is known as “The sugar killer” and  it has been used in Ayurveda since ages for controlling the blood sugar level  Extract of this herb plays an important role in reducing the craving for sugar.
  • Some researchers have shown that it contains molecules of gymnemic acid in the intestines and also inhibits its entry into the bloodstream.
  • It is the best and effective herb for the controlling of blood sugar levels that may contribute to insulin secretion and also cell regeneration that may contribute to blood sugar lowering capabilities.

Karela (Momordica Charantia):

  • Karela is also known as a bitter guard or bitter melon and is a unique vegetable-fruit that can be used as a medicine or food. This fruit has long been used as herbal remedy for a range of ailments, including type2 diabetes. It contains an active substance called charantin which has anti-diabetic properties  which can reduce the blood sugar levels. It also contains vicine and an insulin-like compound known as polypeptide and these substances work either individually or together that can help to reduce the blood sugar levels.

Vizaysaar (Pterocarpus marsupium):

  • The bark of vizaysaar is useful for diabetes. The bark of the tree is used to make a wooden glass and this glass is termed as “The miracle care for diabetes”. It increases the digestive fire and also increases the insulin production in the body.
  • Pour some water in the wooden glass and keep it for overnight and the water is consumed by the diabetic patients early in the morning on an empty stomach. The color of the water changes to brown and change this wooden glass after one month until the watercolor does not change.

Saptrangi (Salacia oblonga)

  • Saptrangi is a wonderful Ayurvedic herb used for diabetes. Its bark is very effective in controlling the diabetes. The main constituents of this herb are kotalanol and salicin which acts as glucose inhibitors. These inhibitors lower the risk of complications caused by diabetes mellitus.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

  • Ashwagandha is an effective herb which is especially used for diabetic neuropathy, fatigue, weakness and weight loss due to diabetes. This herb is adaptogenic which relieves stress and anxiety. Some researchers said that this herb is used to lower the blood sugar levels in the body by increasing the insulin secretion and improves the sensitivity of insulin in the muscle cells.
  • It can also reduce the cortisol levels because increased cortisol level may lead to high blood sugar levels in the body. Reduced cortisol levels help the body to deal with stressful situations and keep the sugar level under control.

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

  • Tulsi is popularly known as the holy basil and is known to be a significant part of ayurvedic medicines. Its leaves, seeds, and stems are edible and are used in various Indian delicacies. Being an anti-inflammatory, it can prove to be a cure to several diseases.
  • Tulsi is said to improve the pancreatic beta cell function and insulin secretion that further increases the uptake of glucose by muscles. Leaves of Tulsi has hypoglycemic properties which lower the blood sugar level and prevents further complications related to diabetes.

Fenugreek (Trigonells foenum graecum):

  • Fenugreek can improve the metabolic symptoms associated with type 1 and type2 diabetes. It contains high soluble fibers which are helpful in lowering the blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Its seeds are the richest source of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, which help to protect the cells of the body from damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals.
Continue Reading

Click the CROSS button to close