USES OF NEEM (Azadirachta indica, Common name: Neem)

Arlington James

Plant Family: Belongs to the Meliaceae family, which includes the Mahoganies – Large Leaf or Honduran Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and Small Leaf or Cuban Mahogany (S. mahagoni).

Description: Located in the Gardens on lawn near Forestry office; medium sized tree, 15-20 m tall (50-65 ft); is quick growing, gaining up to 3 m per year (10 ft) under optimum conditions; stem short and straight; branches long and spreading, forming dense, large, oval or rounded crown; leaves pinnately compound, to 25 cm (10 in), with terminal leaflet and about 8 pairs of ovate or lanceolate leaflets, 6-8 cm long (2-3 in) and 1-3 cm wide (0.4-1.2 in), with serrated margins; bears many, small white to cream flowers in panicle bunches, 10-30 cm long (4-12 in); fruit an ellipsoid drupe (fleshy with single seed), 1-2 cm long (0.4-0.8 in), greenish yellow when ripe; flowering and fruiting in about 5 years; flowers in dry season and fruit ripens in early part of wet season.

Natural Habitat: An extraordinarily hardy tree; grows in wide range of temperature and rainfall ecosystems, from the Sahara Desert to the wet salty environment of the Florida Keys; does best in seasonal climates with long dry season.

Origin and Distribution: Native to India; introduced and widely cultivated in many semi-arid and sub-humid areas of Asia, Africa, Australia, Latin America and the US; in natural habitat common up to 700 m (2300 ft), but, depending on climate, will grow at elevations up to 1500 m (5000 ft); propagation by seed, which only viable for about 30 days after harvest.

Uses: Called "the village pharmacy" and "the curer of all ailments" in its native India; is one of most ancient and widely used herbs in the world; Neem leaf extract is used as an antiviral, for example, against the flu, common cold, herpes and dengue fever; the strong-smelling, aromatic oil obtained from fruit is much valued in Indian native medicine for various illnesses such as leprosy and rheumatism; another attribute is the effectiveness of seed and leaf extract as a natural insecticide, and it is proving equally effective in repelling pests that affect people, like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and head lice; yields an antiseptic resin used medicinally and in toothpaste, soaps, and lotions; wood very durable, used for furniture and crafts; it is also a valuable shade tree; grown as an ornamental in Dominica.

Indigenous Legends: Reportedly, herbalists in ancient India had documented the healing qualities of this tree long before Western civilization discovered the analgesic qualities of the willow tree from which aspirin is derived.

References:
Lars Schmit and Dorthe Joker. Azadirachta indica. Danida Forest Seed Center, Humlebaek, Denmark 2000 (dfsc.dk)
C.D. Adams. Flowering Plants of Jamaica. University of the West Indies, Mona, Glasgow University Press 1972
H.F. Macmillan. Tropical Planting and Gardening. Macmillan, London 1956
How to Grow Neem. Neem Tree Farms Co., Brandon, Florida n.d. (neemtreefarms.com)
Gerald Carr. Flowering Plant Families. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 2004 (botany.hawaii.edu)
Robert A. De Filipps. Useful Plants of the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 1998

• Today, I would be sharing with you some home remedies which use neem leaves. Neem is the best natural medicine available. It can take care of things from skin disorders to health problems. We will talk about the beauty aspects of neem.
  • I know this one is the most difficult. Chew everyday 2-3 leaves of Neem. I know it sounds disgusting. Believe me, it tastes really horrible. I have done it. At last, I could not bear to chew so I started swallowing the leaves. Wash them properly before in taking them. Do not boil them. A help would be take them with honey or jaggery. And, follow it up with a glass of water. Do not worry if you vomit in the starting days. Your body and taste buds will adapt gradually to it. And, the results are too good to ignore. In take of neem leaves would clean your system internally, improve the body metabolism and toxins elimination process. It would clean your blood of impurities and as a result, give you a clear skin. It even helps you get rid of constipation and improves your immune system. 
  • You can boil neem leaves in water and pour the water in your bath tub or use it for bathing. It would get rid of all skin disorders gradually. It helps in getting rid of bacteria at private parts and even the repelling body odor.
  • If you get any skin allergy, boil the neem leaves and apply the water on the allergy after letting it cool. Chilled will work even better. It will soothe your skin. And, the allergywill subside in a day or two. Last September, I had got this severe allergy which my dermatologist could not even diagnose. It had subsided with application of neemwater.You can even apply neem paste on your allergies. I think it should be more effective.
  • You can store the neem water in small batches and use it to make face packs. It would be great help with pimples and acne.
  • If you get hold of neem oil, it treats acne really quick. Applying neem oil keeps your skin safe from any bacteria and fungal infection.
  • Of course, I forget to mention. Chewing neem leaves would help with cleaning your teeth also. And, just in case, you are thinking that you can substitute neem leaves with neemwater. Do not do that. Because, when you boil neem leaves, a strange pungent odor comes which will repel you from drinking the water. Surely, you would even lose you apetite, the odor is that strong.
  • You can make a neem face pack by grinding the neem leaves with some water. It is a great face mask for anti-bacterial purposes. It heals acne really quick.
  • In case of any nicks and cuts, injuries and skin burns, you can apply neem oil, neemwater or neem leaves paste over it. It gives great relief.
  • Neem can also be a part of the refreshing face spray. 
  • Dry the neem leaves well under sun and powder them. Make small pouches containing the powder and put several of these pouches in your cupboards. Your cupboards would be free of moth infestation. And, you do not have to bother with changing the pouches everyday. They will work up to an year. You can replace them again after an year. You may put your favorite essential oil in the neem leaves powder to impart a pleasant fragrance to your cupboards and clothes.
  Further more 
  The Neem tree is a fast growing evergreen that is native to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. This amazing tree is claimed to treat forty different diseases. All the parts of the tree is used for treating illness, the leaves, fruit, seeds and even the bark all contain medicinal properties.

• The use of neem as a medicinal herb dates back over 5,000 years. Today it’s benefits have been proven by scientific research and clinical trials. And, although few of us have access to a neem tree, it can be purchased in the form of oil, powder and pills.

• To give you an idea of the healing powers of the neem tree, here are a few names that the people of India have given it, “Divine Tree”, “Village Pharmacy”, “Heal All” and “Nature’s Drugstore”. With the almost ending list of uses for neem, I think it could be called, ” The Tree of Life”!

• In treating diabetes, neem has been found to actually reduce the insulin requirements by as much as 50% without altering the blood glucose levels. Take 3 to 5 drops internally each day.

• Neem cleanses the blood, stimulates antibody protection and strengthens the immune system which improves the bodies resistance to many diseases.

• Used as a mouth wash it treats infections, mouth ulcers, bleeding sore gums and will even help prevent tooth decay!

• For pink eye the juice of neem leaves can be used as eye drops, warm 5-10 ml and apply several drops.

• To treat jaundice, mix 30 ml of neem juice with 15 ml of honey, take on an empty stomach for seven days.

• If you suffer from burning sensations and excessive sweating, add 5 to 10 drops of neem oil in a glass of milk before going to bed.

• Proclaimed the best product available in treating psoriasis, 2 capsules should be taken three times daily after meals with a glass of water.

• Another way to treat psoriasis as well as eczema, skin ulcers, fungal conditions, cold sores and athletes foot, is to mix 1 tablespoon neem oil and 4 ounces of olive oil. This should be applied at least twice daily to the affected areas.

• For acne problems take 2 capsules twice daily, you will start to see results within a few days.

• To remove moles and warts, one drop of undiluted neem oil should be directly to the mole or wart and then covered with a small bandage. The procedure should be repeated daily using fresh oil and clean bandage.

• For sinusitis, plain pure neem oil can be used as nasal drops. Use tow drops twice daily, morning and evening.

• For athletes foot, soak feet in warm water with 15 ml of neem oil.

• Neem oil will quickly stop earaches, just warm some oil and apply a few drops into the ear.

• For hemorrhoids, apply some neem oil to a cotton ball and gently rub for about a week. If preferred a paste can be made by adding a small amount of olive oil or Aloe Vera oil until desired consistency is reached.

• To prevent hair loss and enhance growth, mix a few drops of neem oil with coconut or olive oil and massage into scalp. This will even prevent your hair from graying!

• Neem oil can be applied to cuts and abrasions to help them heal quickly. Neem increases blood flow which aids in creating the collagen fibers that helps the wounds to close.

• As a treatment for burns and even sunburn, neem oil can kill the bacteria, reduce the pain and stimulate the immune system. By stimulating the immune system it speeds up the healing process and there is less scarring.

• To kill head lice, neem oil should be massaged into the scalp and left on over night. Shampoo your hair as usual the next morning.

• Neem detoxifies the body and helps maintain healthy circulatory systems, digestive and respiratory systems and helps to keep the urinary tract free of infections.

• Scientific evidence has shown that neem is valuable in boosting the bodies immune system. A healthier immune system helps your body in fighting off many illness and diseases.

• Laboratory studies have proven neem to be effective in treating the symptoms of food poisoning associated with both salmonella and staphylococcus. Neem extracts kill the salmonella bacteria and flush it out of your system, reducing the severity and length of the ailment.

• A neem paste applied directly to the sores caused by chicken pox, will relieve the itching and reduce scarring.

• Neem tea drank once or twice weekly can even help prevent colds. If you already have the symptoms associated with a cold they can be lessened by drinking neem tea three times a day. It will help alleviate the fever, cough, aches and pains, sore throat, fatigue and nasal congestion.

• Neem also contains powerful anti-fungal properties that have been shown to aide in the treatment of athletes foot, yeast infections, thrush and even ringworm.

• In it’s use of treating hepatitis, 80% of test subjects showed a significant improvement. The neem extract can actually block the infection that causes this virus.

• Drinking neem tea during an outbreak of influenza will help alleviate some of the symptoms and speed up the recovery time. Neem has an amazing ability to literally surround viruses and prevent them from even infecting the cells.

• Use of a neem based powder for jock itch will reduce the itching, dry the area and kill the fungus. For severe cases a neem lotion may be more effective.

• The length and severity of an outbreak of mononucleosis can be decreased by drinking neem tea twice a day for two weeks.

• For shingles, neem cream should be applied to the affected area at least three times per day. Severe cases should also be treated with neem tea after each meal, but tea should not be consumed for more than two weeks at a time.

• Thrush can be effectively treated with neem tea, it will reduce the inflammation, reduce the pain and speed healing. Children under the age of 12 should not drink neem tea, for children this young it should only be used to gargle.

• Secondary bacterial infections in the nasal passages and respiratory system can be decreased by inhaling steam from boiling the leaves.

• In a recent study neem was shown to lower cholesterol levels when taken for a month in either the capsule form or the extract.

• Scientific studies have proven that neem will reduce blood clots, heart irregularities and even reduce blood pressure. Results can be seen within one month on a regimen of extract or capsules.

• Neem will increase the bodies production of T-cells, which will attack infections.

• The use of neem oil on the skin is known to actually rejuvenate the skin, it also promotes collagen and will work in the treatment of many skin conditions including acne. Acne can be cleared up with a few day by taking two neem capsules twice daily.

• It is reported that neem will help in fighting chronic fatigue.

• For headaches neem powder should be applied to the forehead, neem oil should also work in combating headaches when used the same way.

• The inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints associated with arthritis can be greatly relieved with the use of neem. Neem changes the immune systems response to arthritis and can halt the progress of this disease.

• For centuries neem has been used to reduce tumors. Clinical research has shown remarkable effects in the reduction of tumors and cancers and also in treating leukemia.

• Neem is highly effective in treating gastritis, indigestion and heartburn.

• Blood disorders such as blood poisoning, kidney problems and poor circulation have been benefited by the use of neem.

• With all of the countless medicinal benefits that are already provided with the use of neem, it is also being studied very closely for a treatment for AIDS, cancer, allergies, diabetes and both male and female forms of birth control!

• Neem oil should be stored in a cool dark place, if the oil solidifies it can be placed in warm water to bring back to liquid form.

Anbudan,

Rajaperiasamy