The neem is an evergreen tree from the Indian subcontinent, where it's been a traditional source of medicines and pesticides for more than 2,000 years. Over time, the neem has "migrated" beyond South and Southeast Asia, cropping up in the Middle East, Africa, and Australia, and gaining new fans. There's still not enough evidence to support neem enthusiasts' claims about its healing powers, so consult your doctor first before trying any neem-based cures.
Fever Medicine
According to the Neem Foundation, the neem tree has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. It's used to create twig toothbrushes, leaf poultices for skin diseases or wounds, and insecticide. But one of its most interesting uses is as an antipyretic, or fever reduction medicine.
Indian Ayurvedic medicine also traditionally considers the neem as an effective medicine for treating dangerous malarial fevers. The Neem Foundation claims the neem's essence also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it seemingly ideal for dealing with malaria's symptoms like periodic fevers, shivering, joint pains and headaches.
Traditional Preparations
According to Eco India and the Maharishi Ayurveda sites, parts of the neem relevant to the traditional Indian treatment of fevers are primarily its bark and leaves. Sometimes its leaves are served as part of a soup made with vegetables, like the patola or gourd. Other times, the leaves alone are boiled in water to create a tea, which is given to the patient to drink.
For more persistent fevers, the inner bark of the neem is boiled instead. Some people in India even sprinkle fresh neem leaves near and around a flu patient's bed, or hang a cluster of leaves nearby, in the belief the air will be purified of the viruses or bacteria causing the fever.
Scientific Basis
According to the Indian Academy of Sciences, extensive chemical investigations of the neem tree have been conducted by Asian scientists since the mid-20th century. These studies, such those published in the "Journal of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research" in 1984 and in the "Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medical Public Health" in 1985, have revealed a potent cocktail of dozens of compounds, all with medicinal applications.
One major substance obtained from neem seed oil is nimbidin, which has significant antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was also proven in vitro as an effective antifungal and antibacterial substance. Another major substance, sodium nimbidate, even inhibits the growth of Plasmodium falciparum, the microorganism that causes malaria.
Controversy
Using neem leaves or bark for fever remains a controversial idea, at least to modern medicine. As Al Jazeera reports, researchers have yet to scientifically prove the neem's powers enough to have neem products and therapies officially endorsed by the World Health Organization.
But in impoverished countries where pharmaceutical corporation drugs are expensive, people can't wait. In India, Senegal and other countries in Asia and Africa, ordinary people continue to use neem leaves and bark to cure themselves.
References
- Al Jazeera -- People & Power: The Independence Tree; December 2008
- "Current Science"; Biological Activities and Medicinal Properties of Neem; Kausik Biswas, et al.; June 2002
- Queensland Government: Pest Plant Risk Assessment for Neem Tree; Steve Csurhes; August 2008
- "Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health"; S. Rochanakij, et al.; 1985
- "Journal of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research" (Planta Medica); G. Santhakumari, et al.; 1984
