The Neem tree is considered to be just a tree because a lot of people don’t know the wonders behind it. I also didn’t know much about it until I decided to browse the internet sometimes back and lo and behold I saw a lot of the health benefits it possess. Known to be a sacred plant, the neem tree is packed with myriad of medicinal benefits. This is the reason, why every part of this plant namely leaves, flowers and twig is used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. Although bitter in taste, neem can be used to prevent and treat various health conditions. Grown throughout India as well as some part of Africa, the neem tree is well known not only for its medicinal properties but also for helping to protect the environment.
Health Benefits Of Neem Leaves:
Cardiac Care: Neem leaves are known to be an effective blood cleanser and drinking neem infused boiled water controls high blood sugar. Neem leaves extract is effective in purifying blood, removing toxins and defending against inflictions and damages from free radicals in the body. Neem leaves helps to dilate blood vessels improving blood circulation and decreases elevated heart rates. It relaxes erratic heart beats and controls high blood pressure.
Fungal disease: Neem is also effective against fungal diseases that affect the human body. These include fungus that causes lung and bronchi infection and mucous membranes. Neem leaves reduce the symptoms of fungal infections and oral thrush.
Malaria: Neem is used to treat malaria fevers. One of the neem components gedunin is very effective for treating malaria. Mosquitoes exposed to odours of crushed neem leaves result in suppression of egg laying. Consuming neem leaves is an acclaimed treatment of malaria. You can consume it by boiling the leaves in water and then drink it when it is warm.
Arthritis: Certain properties of neem leaf seed or barks naturally cure arthritis and reduce pain and swelling in joints. A massage with neem oil is effective in relieving muscle aches and joint paint and helps alleviate rheumatism, osteoarthritis and lower back pain.
Cures Poison: Neem leaves are also effective in treating poison and insect bites. This is due to anti-clotting agents that reside in neem leaf extract. Neem leaves are also used in treatment of ulcers and inflammation as they have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity.
Benefits of Neem Leaves for Skin:
What we eat and use on our skin topically determines how beautiful our skin will be. Having rough, uneven and dull looking skin can affect our self esteem. Using the water or paste of neem leaves will help one to aid beauty and also have a smooth and glowing skin. Neem leaves are of tremendous benefits to the skin in several ways:
Moisturizes Skin: The leaves moisturize the skin keeping it soft and supple. They are effective for lightening scars and pigmentation caused by acne and scabies. If you have pimples on your face, apply the neem leaf decoction. This can even be used to treat minor wounds. To cure any kind of skin infection, mix turmeric with neem paste and apply it on your body. Do this regularly for 3 months and you will be amazed at the result.
Cures Acne: Boil a cup of neem leaves in water till the leaves are soft and discoloured, and the water turned green. Strain and store in a bottle. Add to your regular bathing water to get rid of acne, infection and body odor.
Skin Toning: Neem leaves for skin can also be used as a toner. Just dip a cotton ball in boiled neem water and wipe your face with it overnight. This will clear acne, scars, pigmentation and black heads. You can also prepare a face pack using neem leaves. Boil neem leaves with small segments of orange peel in a little water, add little yoghurt, honey and milk to form a smooth paste. Apply this to your face and wash it off when it dries. This will clear acne and break outs, white heads and even reduce the appearance of pores.
Makes Skin Glow: Regular use of a paste of neem leaves and turmeric, can clear your skin
and give it that lost glow, adding some grated cucumber can make everything better. This mask can be used for face whitening too. You can even leave neem paste on your face overnight. Just make a paste of the leaves and apply on your face. Sleep on your back and take care not to soil your bedspread/pillow. Wash it off in the morning and apply your normal face lotion or oil.
 Benefits for the Hair
We all dread bad hair days, but using neem leaves for hair can give you great results. Its antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties keep your hair healthy. Below are the benefits
Enhances Hair Growth: Using neem leaves with coconut oil, can have greater benefits for your
hair. Boil neem leaves till they are soft and mash it then add coconut oil. Apply the mixture on your hair and shampoo after 1 hour. Even neem paste does wonders – and if you are wondering how to apply neem paste to your hair, this is it – grind some fresh neem leaves to a paste. Add some more water if required. Apply the paste to your hair, from the root to the tip and to the scalp too. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then shampoo. It is better to use neem water to wash your hair so as to get the desirable effects you want.
Conditions Hair: Just like how neem can be used to moisturize dry skin, it can also be used to condition dry and frizzy hair. Make a paste of neem leaves boiled in a mixture of water and honey. Apply it to the hair, and then follow it up with a regular hair wash. Your dry hair will be well-conditioned, dandruff-free and frizz-free.
 Improves Scalp Health: Another hair mask that will help deep condition your hair and improve
scalp health can be made by mixing neem powder with amla powder, water, and lemon juice. Apply this to your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes before you wash it off with your regular shampoo. The ingredients in the pack will help keep scalp problems at bay while retaining the moisture of the hair and preventing dryness.
Helps Prevent Baldness: Most of us believe that baldness is a cosmetic issue. But the lesser-known fact is that baldness can also be a result of some long-term treatment with heavy drugs. And such cases of baldness can be cured by using neem. Neem makes the hair stronger and might also restore lost hair. However, consult your doctor on this. Regular use of neem as a hair mask and neem water as a rinse promotes hair growth. Neem also triggers the normal functioning of the scalp to ensure regrowth of hair.
By Pupwaya Timothy Dibal
