In ancient India neem was given the name “healer of all ailments.” That’s a pretty bold claim, but one that is bearing up to modern science.
Neem is one of nature's most powerful herbs. It contains properties which are helpful in the following ways:
- purifies blood
- insect repellent
- relieves dry skin
- soothes itchiness and irritation
- cleans away all foreign and excess tissue
- possesses a supplementary astringent action that promotes healing.
- anti-bacterial
- psoriasis
- eczema
- scabies
- head lice
- strong antiparasitisic; clears the digestive tract of parasites and toxins
- antiseptic
- analgesic; remedy that relieves pain)
- antipyretic; preventing or alleviating fever)
Neem is best used from the leaf directly which is in it's purest form. You can boil a tea and use the tea as a rinse or, to use as an insect repellant - rub the leaf on your skin.
To use the oil as a pesticide:
Mix at the rate of 2 tablespoons (1 fluid ounce) per gallon of water. Thoroughly mix solution and spray all plant surfaces (including undersides of leaves) until completely wet. Frequently mix solution as you spray.
In addition to its medicinal properties, Neem oil is also used as a base for variety of organic cosmetics including soaps, shampoos, hand and body lotions and creams. It will do wonders for your hair. Try putting a teaspoon of neem oil in your shampoo, rinse and apply conditioner. The shampoo rinse and conditioner will take care of any odor and leave your hair soft and shiny. Neem is highly anti-bacterial and therefore the neem leaves have been used for centuries to make anti-bacterial washes and poultices. Use the neem leaves extract in face packs, body wraps, and for acne prone skin. Add to (mild) scrubs for skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis.
Oil made from the Neem tree's fruit and seeds is light to dark brown in color and somewhat bitter tasting; almost like a combination of peanuts and garlic. The oil contains quantities of steroids, including beta-sitosterol (used to treat men suffering from enlarged prostate glands) as well as linoleic and olei acids (Omega 6 and 9), and is found to contain the well known Omega 3 fatty acid (used to prevent arterial sclerosis).
There are some misconceptions with neem. It does not grow hair. Nothing grows hair. What neem oil can do is fix some of the underlying causes that lead to hair loss. Neem improves the health of your scalp: it restores skin balance, soothes irritated skin, moisturizes dry skin, helps with any kind of bacterial, fungal or viral infections and parasites. And due to those effects some people have seen impressive improvements in hair growth.
