Neem needs no introduction in today’s world. A very famous herb of India with worldwide fame and having magical properties known for its miraculous medicinal values from past 5000 years. Neem is known as free tree of India as it is found almost everywhere in India. It is considered as a magic tree, which has properties that not only relieves but also cures from illness.Neem is also called ‘ Arista ’ in Sanskrit- a word that means ‘perfect, complete and imperishable’.

The history of neem tree can be traced back to the ancient Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro...

...civilizations in India. The medical practitioners of that period studied a variety of natural occurring plants and trees having therapeutic value and neem tree was one of them. The earliest indication of neem tree being used for its medicinal properties in households began nearly 5000 years ago. Neem is said to have been widely used in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and this is also mentioned in earliest Indian scriptures of medicine.

Neem was earlier used in households for giving bath to newly born infants, protect people from insect bites and also indigenously used to protect a number of plants as neem contained insecticidal properties. It was also widely used to cure skin ailments.

Health Benefits

• Neem has anti bacterial, anti parasitic, anti fungal, anti protozoal and anti viral properties, which means it provides protection from almost all microorganisms.
• Applying neem in the form of powder or oil on external cuts or wounds has exceptional results. It fights off all kinds of germs and enables in the easy recovery of the affected area.
• It is very common to take bath in water that has neem leaves added to it. It has medicinal properties and gets rid of all the germs that may be thriving on our bodies.
• Neem powder or oil is very effective in relieving us of skin ailments such as eczema, acne, skin allergy, rashes, itch, ringworms, etc.
• Neem water is very effective when used to treat injuries caused due to burns. It heals up skin fast and prevents the creation of any kind of an allergy or infection.
• Neem oil, when used as a substitute for hair oil, provides amazing results. It prevents hair from graying and also effective in treating dandruff, lice and hair fall.
• Neem oil can be used to massage muscle aches and joints and can be used to relieve pain from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Osteoarthritis, lower back pain, etc.
• Eating neem will help get rid of intestinal worms, thus performing its role as a de-worming agent and will help restore healthy functioning of the intestines.
• Taking neem internally is said to effectively improve the quality of blood and purifies and thickens it. It helps getting rid of toxins that may be present in the blood and keeps the body disease-free.
• Neem is said to be a very effective medicine for people suffering from diabetes and helps to control blood sugar levels to a great extent.
• Neem has the ability to make the immune system of a body very strong and get rid off any foreign disease that may weaken the body.
• Mouth wash made out of neem is very efficient in the treatment of infections, tooth decay, bleeding and sore gums.
• Malaria An infusion of the leaves of the neem tree is prepared. It is taken in doses of 15 to 60 grams each day. This is a bitter tonic with a stimulating action on the liver.
• The antioxidants present in the neem causes prevention of cancer. It also helps by causing toxic chemicals to enter the invading cancer cells and killing them or neutralizing them. This prevents the occurrence and also the spread of cancer.
• The various parts of the neem tree including the bark, seeds and neem oil have been found to be effective against lymphocytic leukemia. This is because of the polysaccharides and limonoids found in the neem
• Neem based creams have been found to be effective in treating and curing skin cancers.

Home remedies with Neem

• Apply Crushed fresh leaves of neem on acne. In case of body acne mix fine paste of fresh neem leaves in little water and smear this mixture on back, chest and shoulders. 
• In itching, application of neeem oil on affected areas helps. Boil neem leaves in a big bowl of water and mix this in bathing water. This reduces body itch.
• Massaging neem oil to scalp removes head lice and prevents formation of dandruff.
• Mix dry neem powder, shikakai and amla in water and apply this as pack on head . This pack has to be kept for 45 minutes and washed off later. This prevents hairloss and dandruff. Fresh neem leaves can also be used instead of dry neem powder.
• A freshly prepared paste of turmeric, neem and sesame seeds is recommended in ayurveda for fungal infection between toes.
• Fumigating the house with smoke of dried neem leaves in evenings for 1-2 minutes is an excellent ayurvedic method to keep mosquitoes away.