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.
Some of the benefits of its leaves are:
How to Use
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- 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.
- Apply this regularly to get rid of blackheads and prevent them from coming back.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
