Medicinal Uses of Neem

Medicinal Uses of Neem

(Source:www.ozonebiotech.com)

Since ancient times, Neem (Azadirachta indica) has been used in India for relieving sickness and disease. Its medicinal uses are well documented in ‘Ayurveda,’ the ancient Indian system of medicine.
Every part of the tree has some medicinal use. External uses of Neem comprise the treatment of dermatological disorders (psoriasis, herpes, eczema, pruritis, and acne vulgaris) , inflammatory condition , infected wounds, abscesses and ulcer, ophthalmic care, ear infection and sinusitis alopecia and hair care, snake bite and scorpion sting, rheumatic pain, gout , etc.
Internal uses of Neem are commonly for dental hygiene, and for treating
malaria and filaria , typhoid, digestive , disorders, intestinal worms,
hepatitis, spleenomeglay, respiratory disorders, tuberculosis, urinary
disorders, gynecological problems, diabetes, hypertension, cancer,
leprosy, leprosy, leucoferma, allergies, etc., infectious diseases such
as smallpox, chicken pox, and measles, vaginal disorders, sexually
transmitted infection, and possibly AIDS. The potential of Neem as a
fertility-regulating agent is described. The scientific basis for medicinal uses of Neem and future prospects in relieving human sickness
and disease is discussed.

Tuberculosis: Daily intake of Neem barks decoction helps cure this malady.
Dental Hygiene: Neem is probably best known for dental hygiene. For centuries, millions of people in
India have been using Neem stick as “ disposable toothbrushes “ for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. The practice is said to clean the teeth of dirty smelling plaque, phlegm particles, rendering the
mouth clean and pleasant. Occasional intake of pulp is also recommended for dental hygiene.Rinsing the mouth with decoction made from Neem root or bark is effective against many dental ills.
Antifungal property: Neem is effective against several fungi that infect human body. For instance, in a laboratory study, Neem preparations showed toxicity to culture of 14 common fungi, including Trichophyton sp. Causing “athlete’s foot ,” which affects hair, skin , and nails;Epiderophyton sp.-a “ringworm “ that invades both skin and nails of the feet; Microsporum sp. a ringworm that infects hair, skin, and occasionally nails; Trichosporon sp. ,a fungus of the digestive tract; Geotrichum sp. – a yeastlike fungus that infects bronchi, lungs, and mucous membranes, and Candida spp.- yeastlike fungi that can lead to lesions in mouth (thrush), female genital tract , skin ,hands, and lungs. In comparison with general antibiotics, the use of Neem oil gave very promising results and become popular for treating ringworm, Tinea supp., in children in Kenya.
Fertility regulation: Studies conducted on rodents have confirmed that Neem seed extract can completely abrogate pregnancy at an early
post-implantation stage. The treatment had no residual effects with respect to the future fertility of the animals. The active fraction in the
extract, identified recently as a mixture of six components, could completely abrogate pregnancy in rodents. The treatment with the active
fraction caused specific activation of T lymphocyte cells of CD8+ subtype as well as phagocytic cells followed by elevation in cytokines y-
interferon and TNF. The study pointed out that a pure active fraction of Neem seeds could be obtained for the purpose of early implantation
contraception when given orally, and its mechanism of action seems to be by activating cell-medicated immune reactions. Recently, a pre-
coital, vaginal, Neem based contraceptive “CONCEPT” has been developed in India and it already at large-scale clinical trial stages states
in India.
Chaga’s disease: Neem may prove a boon against the crippling chaga’s disease, which infects about
20 million people in Latin America. The disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite, which is transmitted by the bite of the kissing bugs. Recently, it has been found that azadirachtin somehow disrupts the delicately synchronised parasite development in the insect’s gut, rendering the bugs ”immune” or free from infection even 20 days after they had eaten blood laden with parasites. Injection of azadirachtin A into nymphs of the kissing bug resulted in complete disappearance of the parasite in the host. Whether Neem will eventually solve the Chaga’s disease problem remains to be seen.
Pain relief and fever reduction: Neem may prove to be a bountiful source of law –cost analgesic (pain relieving) or antipyretic (fever-
reducing) compounds and is used as such wherever it is grown. In trials conducted in Japan, positive results have been obtained for significant analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of the anti- inflammatory compounds have been patented.
Hepatitis: Intake of 2 teaspoonful of Neem leaf juice with honey accelerates the process of cure.
Spelleenomegaly: Intake of 2 teaspoonful of Neem leaf juice with honey cures the enlargement of spleen.
Respiratory disorders: Neem bark decoction is used as an antitussive in dry cough. Intake of powdered Neem leaves (1g) with honey
twice a day helps in suppressing cough. Neem oil (5-10drops) given with 2 tablespoonful of sugar daily for 15 d helps in treatment of
tropical eosinophilia.
Urinary disorders: Neem is effective in treating albuminaria, phosphaturia, and burning micturition. Intake of Neem leaf decoction (3g
leaves boiled in 4 cups of water until reduced to 2 cups) twice a day helps. In case of burning micturition, intake of 1 teaspoonful of Neem
leaf juice thrice a day is highly recommended.
Gynaecological disorders: Daily intake of 10g of Neem leaf juice with 1 tablespoonful of sugar early in the morning helps cure leucorrhoea,
dysmenorrhoea, and related disorders.
Diabetes: One tablespoonful of Neem leaf juice taken daily early morning for 3 months in helpful in diabetes. Alternatively, one can chew 10 Neem leaflets daily or ingest leaf powder. During treatment, diet control is also advised for quick results.
Hypertension: One tablespoonful of Neem leaf juice taken twice daily is useful in treating hypertension
Cancer: Chewing 10-12 Neem leaflets daily early and ingesting with warm water is recommended as a supportive treatment to cancer
patients.
Allergies: Neem is useful in all kinds of allergies, whether drug allergy or allergy due to smell, smoke, dust, eatables, etc. Eight to 10
leaflets are eaten early morning, which helps in purifying blood and controlling allergic reactions.
Vaginal disorders: Neem having urinary astringent and antipruetic properties gives immediate relief in most common vaginal disorders. A
pessary made from Neem fruits macerated with Neem leaf juice is kept in the vagina to relieve the burning sensation and heal cervical and
vaginal inflammation. In cases of uteral prolapse, the use of Neem decoction is recommended.
For easy delivery: During labour, it is recommended to apply a paste of Neem roots on lower abdomen. Intake of 1g of powdered Neem
gum with honey butter relieves tiredness during labour.
HIV/AIDS: Certain polysaccharides isolated from the inner bark of Neem trunk have been found to enhance human immunity against HIV,
which causes AIDS. Although I did not conduct clinical trials, oral administration of powdered inner Neem bark and turmeric, curcuma longa
, powder (10:1 proportion) to patients in 150mg doses thrice a day for one month suppressed AIDS-related symptoms, such as skin rash, diarrhoea, pneumonia, weight loss, etc. among communities living around the shores of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya, where the AIDS incidence was very high.