There are so many new--and old--supplements and herbs being advertised today claiming to possess incredible healing properties that it is difficult to know if any live up to the hype. The neem leaf may be one herb that does. It has a plethora of uses and has been used for so long in India that it has been called the "friend and protector of the Indian villager," according to the Maharishi Ayurveda Newsletter.
Neem Tree
Neem leaves come from the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, a native of India and Burma. The tree can grow up to 30 meters tall and almost half as wide. Related to mahogany, it can survive extremely dry and hot conditions. It produces fragrant flowers, in stark contrast with the odor of its leaves and oil. Typically the leaves, bark, flowers and oil are used for medicinal purposes.
Pesticide
Most insect extermination tactics involve pesticides that can be harmful to your health and the environment. Neem presents a neat, if slightly pungent, solution. Its oil and leaves, if rubbed on the skin or hair, have been shown to kill and deter many different types of pests, including lice, fleas and ticks, according to drweil.com. The Journal of Hazardous Materials published an article in 2010 that centers on scientists' attempts to mimic the pesticidal properties of the neem leaf. Because of its odor, it is often mixed with other essential oils when applied to the skin.
Antifungal and Antibacterial
The neem leaf and oil when rubbed on the skin help heal psoriasis, eczema, dry skin, boils and wounds, thanks to its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. These benefits are documented in an article published in the journal Current Medicinal Chemistry Anti-cancer Agents in 2005. Drugs.com notes that some studies have also shown that neem can be an effective solution for scabies and other fungal infections. The site also lists it as a potential spermicidal substance. Studies of neem as an effective birth control method are inadequate, however, and more data is needed before neem can be considered suitable for that purpose in humans.
Disease Fighter
Some studies have shown Neem as a potential tool in the fight against cancer and HIV. Oral administration of neem leaf extract increased CD4 cells in HIV/AIDS patients, according to a 2007 article published in the American Journal of Therapeutics. Neem's safety for oral use was also proven in the study. Extracts of neem are being studied for their effects on malaria, with one such study, published in 2004 in Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicines and Hygiene, reporting that neem extracts may help in the development of anti-retroviral and anti-malarial drugs.
Ulcer Treatment
Neem extract when taken orally can help to reduce acid in the stomach and protect against ulcers. A study published in 2009 in the journal Phytotherapy Research claims that neem bark extract has "potent gastroprotective and antiulcer effects."
References
- Maharishi Ayurveda Newsletter, Neem
- Botanical Information from Purdue University
- "Journal of Hazardous Materials"; Development of a new controlled pesticide delivery system based on neem leaf powder; Singh, B, et al; 2010
- Dr. Weil, Neem as natural pesticide
- Drugs.com Neem information
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