Neem Tree Magics

The Neem tree is native to areas from India throughout South East Asia. Neem is a fast growing tree that can reach a height of 15-20 m, rarely to 35-40 m. It is used in Cambodia (known as sadao or sdao), Laos (called kadao) and Vietnam (called sau dau) there it is regarded as a powerful supporter of the body's natural defense mechanisms. It is grown in many places throughout the world, including; India, Burma (Myanmar), Africa, Australia, California and its popularity continues to grow in many other parts of the world.

Neem is a natural insect repellent and is a recommended treatment for many ailments and disease (including acne, eczema, psoriasis, head lice, thrush & athlete's foot). Neem is the most heavily researched herbal remedy in India where it is considered one of the very bitter herbs.

Neem tree products are associated with many agricultural and medicinal uses. It has been used for thousands of years to protect grain from insects in its native countries. The oil has also been used for controlling insects in many others ways. It surrounds and suffocates mites, whiteflies, aphids and other types of soft bodied insects on contact. The range of insects affected by Neem extracts are impressive and includes beetles, flies, mosquitoes, caterpillars, true bugs, locusts and grasshoppers, aphids, weevils, moths, and roaches.

In addition to its insecticidal properties, traditional Ayurvedic lore holds that Neem has incredible ability to restore and maintain healthy function of the body in a number of ways. Products can be produced from the trees that are helpful in alleviating tiredness and help maintain oral health, including healthy gums.

Taking Neem internally also helps keep skin, hair and nails healthy. Scientific research today validates many of the traditional uses of Neem Oil. It is used to treat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, boost the immune system, and for many specific health problems. With its numerous anti-bacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral properties it has applications for dozens of human health uses including use in the treatment of malaria, chicken pox, small pox, fever, psoriasis, asthma, parasites, measles, as a contraceptive agent, and many other uses. One of the most powerful blood purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurvedic usage, Neem is often used to maintain healthy skin.

Neem oil is useful for skin care such as acne, and keeping skin elasticity. It is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, shampoo, balms and creams). Skin problems in general: dry skin, wrinkles, dandruff, itchy scalp as well as other conditions can be effectively resolved by the use of soaps, lotions, and creams, containing Neem leaf extracts and oil. Neem has shown an almost magical effect on chronic skin conditions that often fail to
respond with classical medical treatments.

Neem's anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties have been well known for centuries and find extensive application today in soaps, shampoos and other skin formulations. Neem has a purifying and clarifying effect, drawing out excess oil and smoothing out blemishes, so it's wonderful for persons with Kapha (earth or water predominant) skin. It is also soothing for dry, irritated skin when combined with aloe vera or rose water.

Extracts of the bark and twigs have been used to treat fevers, thirst, sickness and vomiting. Several extracts of Neem have recently been patented by US companies, and many farmers are incensed at what they regard as intellectual piracy. Though, the FDA has not approved Neem extracts as an acceptable compound in medicine, Neem is manufactured into many health and beauty care products from the leaves, oils and extracts of the tree.

After the tree overcame some initial resistance, it has started to be used on a commercial basis and now, Neem finds immense use in a number of products in industries ranging from cosmetics to agriculture, from pharmaceuticals to Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, herbs are taken in combination with other herbs to neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing effect of the other or to enhance the particular effect of one herb with the help of other. In the ancient system of Ayurveda when an excess of one taste causes a disease the opposite taste is introduced into the diet with herbs and food to reduce the imbalance. Neem being very bitter was often used to treat diabetes in Ayurveda. Traditionally Ayurveda has recommended the use of Neem leaf, seed, and bark, for reducing arthritic pain and inflammation and for halting the progression of the disease as well. Consult a practitioner of Ayurveda or other expert in the use of botanicals for guidance in appropriate indications and products.

So we can see that Neem is strongly antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and an ideal natural insect repellent as well as an (organic) bio-pesticide. Neem is an alternative solution to global issues in the environment providing Sustainable Organic Support. The make up of the tree is made up of about 40 different active compounds called tetranortriperpernoids, or more specifically, liminoids. Aside from its use in traditional Indian medicine the Neem tree is of great importance because it is hardy and can have anti-desertification properties in this respect and like all green plants as a good carbon dioxide sink. This tree for millennia, has been called in Sanskrit Sarva Roga Nivarini, the curer of all ailments', or in the Muslim tradition, Shajar-e-Mubarak, the blessed tree'. Neem is an environmentalist's guilt-free natural product.