Beaming health with neem ( Neem - Azadirachta Indica )
Ayurveda
medicinal plants > Beaming health with neem ( Neem -
Azadirachta Indica )
Beaming health with neem ( Neem - Azadirachta Indica )
Neem which belongs to family Meliaceae , has a botanical name
Azadirachta Indica. It grows in tropical and semi tropical
regions and is widely found in Burma, India and Pakistan. This
is a very fast growing, ever green tree which reaches the height
of 15 to 20 meters.
Neem is known for its immeasurable medicinal properties and is
used as a main ingredient in many home remedies. Commending the
medicinal properties of neem, numerous sanskrit names have been
coined by our ayurveda acharyas . Few of them are mentioned
below.
- It is known as Nimba as it boosts health
- It is praised as Pichumarda as it destroys skin diseases.
- As it is used to ward off evil powers that harm our body , it is known as Arishta
Chemical composition of neem:
Neem tree has numerous medicinal properties by virtue of its
chemical compounds. Seeds of the Neem tree contain the highest
concentration of Azadirachtin. Apart from Azadirachtin , salannin,
gedunin, azadirone, nimbin, nimbidine, nimbicidine, nimbinol, etc
are other important liminoids of neem.
Uses of neem in horticulture:
Neem has been the most traditionally used plant in India , Pakistan
and Africa to protect grains and cereals from pests. Fresh neem
leaves are mixed with grains and cereals before storing. A paste of
fresh neem leaves is rubbed against the wall of large mud bins or
gunny bags in which the grains and cereals are stored. Some times a
thick layer of dry neem leaves are spread over grains. Neem
oil
extracted from seeds acts as best biopesticide. Jute sacks treated
with neem oil or extracts of neem are used to store food grains.
Neem oil is a very cheap and effective house hold pesticide to
protect grains and legumes from pests. Neem is being used to protect
stored roots and tubers from potato moth.
Azadirachtin is available in high concentration in neem seeds. It is
used as “botanical pesticide” which is environmentally friendly. It
prevents insects from feeding on plants and regulates the growth of
insects. Neem extracts do not harm the insects like bees, spiders
and butterflies which help in pollination.
Medicinal properties of Neem:
The Neem tree has many medicinal uses. The chemical compounds
present in neem have anti-inflammatory , antiarthritic ,antipyretic
,hypoglycaemic , Antifungal, spermicidal, antimalarial,
antibacterial and Diuretic properties. Flower, leaves, bark and
seeds of neem are used in home remedies and in preparation of
medicines. Bark of neem acts as antipyretic and helps to reduce
fever. Flowers are used in intestinal disorders. Juice from fresh
leaves is very helpful in treating
skin
diseases, wounds and
obesity.
Oil from neem seeds is used in
arthritis,
skin diseases
and muscular sprains. Neem is very effective in treating gum
diseases.
The neem is proved to be beneficial in treating
skin diseases
because of its antibiotic, antifungal and blood purifying
properties. According to ayurveda principles vitiated Kapha and
pitta cause
skin
diseases. Neem pacifies vitiated kapha and pitta, thus helps to cure
skin ailments. It promotes wound healing as it is antibacterial and
astringent. In
psoriasis it reduces itching, irritation, roughness of skin and
heals the psoriatic patches. In same way it heals eczema too. It
reduces infection and inflammation of
acne. Neem
helps to maintain the health of
scalp skin and prevents
dandruff.
Due to its detoxifying properties it helps to keep organ systems
healthy, especially circulatory, digestive, respiratory and urinary
systems.
Scientific studies have revealed that neem reduces
blood sugar level. Hence its usage supports diabetic patients to
keep their blood sugar level in control. Diabetes impairs blood
circulation and causes gangrene in lower extremities. Numerous
scientific researches have high lightened the role of neem in
keeping circulatory system healthy, thus reducing the chances of
gangrene. Recent studies have shown that neem reduces
blood cholesterol level and keeps the heart healthy.
Home remedies with neem
Apply Crushed fresh leaves of neem on
acne. In case
of body acne
mix fine paste of fresh neem leaves in little water and smear this
mixture on back, chest and shoulders.
In itching, application of neeem oil on affected areas helps. Boil
neem leaves in a big bowl of
water and mix this in bathing water. This reduces body itch.
Massaging neem oil to scalp removes head lice and prevents
formation of dandruff.
Mix dry neem powder, shikakai and amla in
water and apply this as pack on head . This pack has to be kept for
45 minutes and washed off later. This prevents
hair loss
and dandruff. Fresh neem leaves can also be used instead of dry neem
powder.
A freshly prepared paste of turmeric, neem and sesame seeds is
recommended in ayurveda for fungal infection between toes.
Fumigating the house with smoke of dried neem leaves in evenings for
1-2 minutes is an excellent ayurvedic method to keep mosquitoes
away.
Neem in House hold
Neem flower pachidi is prepared from roasted neem flower and is a
famous dish in South India which is prepared during ugadi. Neem
flower rasam improves digestion and is very popular in Andhra and
Tamilnadu.
Extract of skin friendly neem is being used in manufacturing bathing
soaps, hair gels, body lotions etc. These products are gaining
popularity in market.
This article is copyrighted. This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com .
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