Neem - Nature's Pharmacy

March 10, 2024 7 min read

Nature's pharmacy

The neem tree, or Sadhguru's "miracle leaf," is a versatile natural product with anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anti-aging properties. Neem can also help prevent cancer and is very useful in the practice of yoga.

Neem briefly explained

Neem, or neem tree (Azadirachta indica), is an evergreen tree that has a well-deserved reputation as the world's most powerful medicinal plant. In Ayurveda, it is known as nature's pharmacy. The tree grows primarily on the Indian subcontinent but is now cultivated in similar climates around the world as its benefits are gradually being recognized.

What ingredients are contained in neem?

The neem tree is brimming with chemical compounds that have proven extremely beneficial. From the bark to the leaves, flower, fruit, seeds, and root, all parts of the tree are widely used to treat various ailments. According to recognized research, neem exhibits properties that allow it to scavenge free radicals thanks to its high antioxidant content. The plant is also effective in fighting cancer because it regulates cell signaling pathways. Neem also plays a role as an anti-inflammatory substance by regulating pro-inflammatory enzyme activities, particularly the enzymes cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase.

Benefits of Neem

Uses and benefits of neem leaves

Neem is a unique tree with over 130 different biologically active compounds, and the neem leaf is one of the most complex leaves found on the planet.

Benefits of Neem against cancer cells

Neem has many incredible medicinal benefits, but one of the most important is that it kills cancer cells. Everyone has cancer cells in their body, but they're usually disorganized. As long as these cells lie around on their own, it's not a problem. However, when they all gather in one place and connect with each other, it becomes a problem. When you take neem daily, it keeps the number of cancer cells in your body below a certain limit, preventing them from ganging up against your body.

Antibacterial Benefits of Neem

The world is full of bacteria. Your body is too. There are more microorganisms living inside you than you can imagine. Most of these bacteria are beneficial. Without them, you wouldn't be able to digest anything. In fact, you can't even exist without them. However, some bacteria can cause you problems. Your body constantly expends energy trying to deal with these bacteria. If there are too many bacteria, you'll feel "flat" because your defense mechanism has to expend too much energy fighting them. By using neem internally and externally, you can control these bacteria so they don't multiply. Your body then doesn't have to expend too much energy fighting them. If you consume a certain amount of neem daily, it will kill the troublesome bacteria in the intestinal region, keeping your intestines overall clean and free of infection.

Benefits of neem leaves for skin

Almost everyone has minor skin problems, but cleansing your body with neem leaves will leave it clean and radiant. If you rub neem paste all over your body before bathing, let it dry for a while, and then rinse it off with water, it acts as a good antibacterial cleanser. An alternative is to soak some neem leaves in water overnight and wash with this water in the morning.

Benefits of Neem Leaves for Spirituality

Neem generates heat in the body. This heat helps generate intense forms of energy within the body. Different qualities can be prevalent in the body. Two of them are traditionally referred to as sheeta and ushna. The word that most closely translates to "sheeta" in English is "cold," but that is not it. As your system shifts toward sheeta, the mucus level in the body will rise. An excess of mucus in the system can contribute to various illnesses, from colds and sinusitis to many other problems.

For a Hatha yogi, neem is especially important because it keeps the body slightly aligned toward ushna. Ushna means you have extra "fuel." For a sadhaka exploring unfamiliar territory, it's safer to carry a canister of extra fuel, just in case their system needs that extra energy. You want to keep the fire at a slightly higher level than is normally required. If the body is in a sheet state, you won't be capable of much activity. But if you keep your body slightly on the side of ushna, even when traveling, eating out, or otherwise exposed to change, that extra fire will burn within you and cope with these external influences. Neem is a great support in this regard.

Benefits of the Neem Tree

Each part of the neem tree has its own medicinal properties, making it the world's most versatile medicinal tree. Although the tree's benefits have been traditionally known on the Indian subcontinent, modern research has brought the humble neem into the spotlight in the last decade. Researchers have found that neem tree products are virtually nontoxic and compatible with beneficial insects, pollinators, and bees. They are environmentally friendly, sustainable, renewable, and affordable.

Benefits of Neem Juice

Drinking neem juice can help you reorganize and restart your digestive process. It also significantly improves your metabolism. When consumed as a juice, the bitter neem herb is effective in breaking down body fat. It also helps detoxify the colon and improves the body's elimination process. It also purifies the blood by eliminating the proliferation of unwanted bacteria through the antibacterial and antiseptic enzymes abundant in neem. For this reason, neem juice is considered one of the most beneficial juices you can consume. However, research has not yet determined the maximum amount to exceed, and doctors recommend consuming neem juice only in moderation.

Benefits of Neem Powder

Neem is also available in powder form. This gives it a good shelf life, making it ideal for traveling. Another advantage of neem powder is that it is more readily available in regions of the world where neem does not grow. Neem leaf powder can be used internally or applied externally to the skin. Neem leaves can be ground into powder at home: simply let them dry in the sun and then blend into a fine powder.

Top view of neem powder in a white bowl on a wooden tray with raw neem leaves

Medicinal use of neem

According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, neem is the king of all medicinal herbs. The fundamental Ayurvedic texts describe how neem treats skin diseases and hair problems, increases appetite, stimulates digestion, stokes the digestive fire, improves respiration, helps with diabetes, promotes wound healing, and relieves nausea. Neem has been declared the "Tree of the 21st Century" by the United Nations. The American Academy of Sciences also recognized neem's medicinal value in its 1992 report titled "Neem: A Tree to Solve Global Problems." Here are some important medicinal uses of neem:

To protect the skin: Neem leaves

Traditionally, neem leaves have been used to treat lice, skin diseases, wounds, or skin ulcers. When applied externally, neem is also an excellent mosquito repellent. Neem is probably the oldest skin softener in the world and has been used for this purpose for thousands of years. You can boil the leaves of the neem tree in water, filter and store the water, and use it as a skin ointment.

For detoxification: Neem seeds

Neem seeds have cleansing properties and are used to get rid of intestinal worms. The seeds are pressed to extract a juice, which is then ingested. This neem seed juice is effective in destroying intestinal worms and other unwanted parasitic organisms that may be present in the intestinal tract.

For the treatment of dental diseases: Neem bark

The bark of the neem tree is known for its ability to fight plaque and reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth. For this reason, the tree's branches have traditionally been used as toothbrushes. Neem tree bark also helps heal oral wounds thanks to its antiseptic and astringent properties.

For cleaning: the roots of the neem tree

Like all other parts of the tree, the roots of the neem tree are rich in antioxidants. A 2011 study found that neem root extract exhibited higher free radical scavenging potency, with 50 percent scavenging activity at 27.3 µg/mL, and that the total antioxidant activity of this extract was 0.58 mM of standard ascorbic acid.

Use of neem fruits

The neem fruit is pressed to extract an oil that can be applied to the scalp to remove dandruff. It is also used to prevent dandruff. The extracted oil can also be used as a mosquito repellent and is commonly found in many commercial air fresheners.

Use of the neem flower

The neem flower is known as an antiseptic that can cleanse the body when consumed. This is one of the reasons why neem flowers are incorporated into certain dishes in South Indian cuisine. For example, the traditional New Year festival in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka is celebrated with a unique dish called Ugadi Pachadi, made with jaggery and neem leaves. Ayurveda describes the neem flower as refreshing and recommends its use in summer dishes to combat the summer heat.

Dosage, consumption and administration form

The correct dosage of neem depends on several factors, such as age, health status, and various other conditions. Currently, there is insufficient scientific information to determine an appropriate dosage for neem.

Remember that natural products are subject to variation and dosage can be important. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.

What should be taken into account when using it?

One thing to keep in mind is that excessive consumption of neem will kill sperm. Pregnant women should not consume neem during the first four to five months of pregnancy, when the fetus is developing. Neem does not cause damage to the ovaries, but it does lead to excess heat production. If a woman has just conceived and there is too much heat in the body, she may lose the fetus. If a woman is planning to become pregnant, she should not consume neem because it will cause excess heat production, and the system will treat the baby like a foreign body.

When heat increases, certain changes occur in the system—women notice this more than men. If it interferes with normal processes in the body, the heat is reduced to some extent, but generally, one doesn't want to give up neem because a certain amount of heat in the system is necessary for people who practice. Once they start taking neem daily, some women may experience a shortening of their menstrual cycle. If this happens, simply drink more water. If simply drinking more water isn't enough to reduce the heat, add a slice of lemon or the juice of half a lemon to the water. If that's still not enough, drink a glass of wax gourd juice, which has a very cooling effect. Another option is castor oil. If you put a little of it in your navel, in the crook of your neck, and behind your ears, it will cool you down instantly.