NEEM – A WONDER TREE
The neem tree is known in Ayurveda as nature’s pharmacy.
1 Protection – Neem Leaves to Protect Skin
Traditionally, neem leaves are used to treat head lice, skin diseases, wounds or skin ulcers. External application of neem also finds merit as a mosquito repellant. Neem is probably the world’s oldest skin softener and has been used for this purpose for millennia. Neem leaves can be boiled in water and the water can be strained and stored for use as a skin ointment.
#2 Cleansing – Neem Seeds for Cleansing
Neem seeds have cleansing properties and are used to get rid of intestinal worms. The seeds are pressed to extract the juice, which is then ingested. This neem seed juice is effective in destroying intestinal worms and other unwanted parasitic organisms that may be present in the intestinal tract.
#3 Medicinal – Neem Bark for Healing Dental Diseases
The bark of the neem tree is well known for its ability to combat dental plaque and reduce the amount of bacteria present in the mouth. Traditionally, twigs from the neem tree are used as toothbrushes for this very reason. Neem tree bark also helps heal wounds in the oral cavity due to its antiseptic and astringent properties.
#4 Purifying – Neem Roots for Purification
Like all other parts of the neem tree, neem roots are also rich in antioxidants. The results of a study conducted in 2011 revealed that neem root bark extract exhibited higher free radical scavenging effect with 50% scavenging activity at 27.3 μg/mL, and total antioxidant activity of this extract was found to be 0.58 mM of standard ascorbic acid.
#5 Uses of Neem Fruit
The fruit of the neem tree is pressed to extract its oil, which can then be applied to the scalp to remove dandruff and is also used as a preventive measure against dandruff. This extracted oil can also be used as an effective mosquito repellant and is typically found as a component in many commercially available room fresheners as well.
#6 Uses of Neem Flower
The flower of the neem tree is known to be an antiseptic that can also cleanse the system when consumed. This is one of the reasons that the cuisine of southern India incorporates neem flowers in certain dishes. For example, the traditional New Year is celebrated in south india with a unique dish called Ugadi Pachadi which is made from jaggery and neem leaves. Ayurveda describes the neem flower as cooling and recommends that it be incorporated in summer dishes to beat the summer heat.
Neem has been declared the “Tree of the 21st century” by the United Nations.
