Neem (Azadirachta Indica) is an Ayurvedic medicinal herb which has been used as traditional medicine for a long time. Neem is known to have more than 130 biochemical compounds, which are used for medicinal and drug purposes. Neem extract has significant benefits like anti-viral, anti-bacterial, pesticidal, insecticidal, and an excellent immune-stimulant. Some of the essential benefits of neem are purifying blood, preventing free radicals, being beneficial for skin and hair, countering infections, and boosting the body’s immunity. It is also associated with side effects.
Top 10 excellent benefits of neem
1. Pimple and acne cure: If you have pimples, acne, or other facial spots, no need to be worry. Apply the paste of neem regularly on these eruptions or dark spots. Let it be there for 15-20 minutes, followed by washing it through the water. Besides this, the neem paste, along with turmeric, is also used for itching, eczema, and ringworms. The use of neem oil over the face helps to make your skin glow and acts as anti-ageing. It also gives relief in case of skin irritation and itching.
2. Neem for hair health: Boil neem leaves into a bucket of water until they become green. Make it cool, and wash your hair with this neem water. Regular use of it will help shine hair and remove dandruff, too. The rubbing of hair oil over the scalp helps to strengthen the hair follicles, thereby preventing hair fall and hair loss. There are many shampoos which are using neem extract as their constituents because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
3. Removes redness of eyes: Boil some neem leaves and ensure that the water has become cool. Now, wash your eyes with this neem water twice a day. It is helpful to treat eye redness, irritation, and tiredness.
4. To boost immunity: Neem is used as an immunity booster; thereby, it helps you to protect yourself from viral and bacterial attacks. Use crushed neem leaves with water regularly.
5. Wound healer: Make a paste of neem leaves. Use it on the wound twice or thrice a day. It helps to remove bacterial infections and simultaneously heal the damage.
6. Malaria treatment: Neem is used against the repelling of mosquitoes, including malarial mosquitoes. Thus, it has been used for a long time to protect from malaria.
7. Packed with antioxidants: It is found that neem is packed with antioxidants, which fight free radicals and protect you from various diseases. It is also anti-inflammatory.
8. Anti-microbial properties: This medicinal plant has antimicrobial effects, which work well against various bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
9. Good for eye vision: The chewing of neem leaves regularly helps to improve eye vision. If you are suffering from eye irritation and reddish one, wash it regularly with boiled neem water after it becomes cool.
10. Enhances digestion: It is said that neem leaves are an excellent liver cleanser. Chewing it regularly also helps to destroy intestinal germs and make the digestive system smooth, thus facilitating better digestion.
10 Medicinal uses of neem oil
Neem is one of the few plants whose entire part is used for medicinal purposes. Neem’s bark, seed, leaves, roots, flowers, and fruits are used for different health purposes.
1. It is used in dental products, viz. mouthwashes, toothpaste, and tooth powders.
2. It is generally used in skin and hair care products.
3. It’s an essential pest repellant used against mosquitoes and fleas.
4. Neem flowers are used in a dried or powdered form and are more commonly used in South Indian dishes, viz. flower rice, pachadi, rasam, and sometimes sprinkled on top of the word to make it more delicious.
5. Neem flowers treat anorexia, nausea and intestinal worms.
6. Its flowers are also used as aromatherapy in spas and health centres because of its cooling effect.
7. The alcoholic extract of the neem flowers is used as a contraceptive.
8. Neem twigs are used as a toothbrush in many South Asian countries because of their anti-bacterial properties. Using neem twigs as a brush is also helpful in treating swollen gums, making your teeth white, and preventing plaque formation.
9. Its flowers are used for reducing bile, controlling phlegm, and treating intestinal worms.
10. Its seed oil is used for birth control and to cause abortion.
Side effects of neem oil
Generally, it has no side effects. However, if it is taken for a more extended period and in large quantities, then it may show negative impacts.
1. The excess use of it may lead to kidney and liver damage.
2. Neem oil shouldn’t be given strictly to infants and children as it may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, blood disorders, seizures, loss of consciousness, and brain disorders.
3. Pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers should avoid it.
4. If you have conditions like multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis, then it is better to skip the use of neem.
5. In a few pieces of evidence, it has been seen that using it may lower the sugar level too low. Therefore, the diabetic patient should use it after the consultation with the doctor.
6. Neem hurts sperm count. If you have a desire for a kid, it is better to avoid it as it leads to infertility.
7. Organ transplant patients shouldn’t use neem.
8. Neem or its product shouldn’t be used at least before two weeks of surgery.
Top 5 facts about neem
1. Neem is packed with more than 130 biochemical compounds, which are used for medicinal purposes.
2. It is the symbol of ‘good health’ in Ayurveda.
3. It is one of the few medicinal plants whose entire parts, viz. leaves, flowers, fruits, stem, root, seeds, etc., are used for different health purposes.
4. Neem is known as One Tree Pharmacy.
5. Neem can be used as a natural contraceptive
