Health Benefits of Neem

For centuries the Neem tree has been known as the wonder tree of India. It's a tree that is very versatile as far as medical benefits are concerned. All parts of neem including seeds, leaves, flowers and bark have medicinal properties. It offers plenty of usages in several shapes and sizes. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-diabetic properties.

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.