The Wonder Leaf

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Neem Tree has been described in Ayurveda’s prime text, the Charaka Samhita, as sarva roga nivarini (that which keeps all diseases at bay) or arishtha (reliever of disease). The roots, bark, gum, leaves, fruit, seed kernels and seed oil are all used in therapeutic preparations for both internal and topical use.

Neem is an evergreen plant indigenous to India. It has benefits starting from hair and scalp to treating malaria etc., Some of the well known benefits of neem include:

1. Clears Acne & Pigmentation:

Boil a concoction of about 20 neem leaves in half a litre of water till the leaves are soft and discoloured, and the water turns green. Strain and store in a bottle. Use this liquid as a skin toner by just dipping a cotton-ball into it and wiping your face with it every night. Use this regularly to avoid acne and have even skin tone.

2. Prevents Recurrence of Blackheads:

In case you have a very sensitive skin and suffering from blackheads, dilute neem oil with water and apply it over the blackheads. Make sure that that you don’t use more than 2-3 drops of neem oil. Applying this regularly will help you in getting rid of blackheads and also prevent them from coming back.

3. Treats Skin Infection:

To get rid skin infection, prepare the concoction as mentioned above and add about 100 ml of it to your bathing water.

4. Get rid of Acne:

To get rid of acne, take about 10 neem leaves, boil them with small segments of orange peel in a little water. When they become a little soft, let them cook a little and then pound them into a pulp. Apply this to your face and let it sit till it starts drying after which you can rinse with cold water. This face pack will help in clearing acne and prevent breakouts.

5. Controls Excess Oils:

For oily skin beauties who are looking for some sebum control can make a paste by mixing neem powder with lemon juice and a little bit of yogurt. This will not only control the excess oil but also prevent acne and infections that are common problems associated with this skin type.

6. Adds Glow to the Skin:

For getting a glowing skin with clear complexion, mix neem powder with rose petal powder, yogurt and a little milk to make a smooth paste. Apply it and let it rest for 15 minutes and rinse with water that is mixed with 2-3 tbsp. of rose water.

7. Treats Dandruff & Hair Fall:

To reduce hair fall and to get rid of dandruff, boil a handful of neem leaves in 2 cups of water till the leaves changes colour and the water becomes greenish. Use this water as the last rinse after you shampoo your hair. The anti-septic and anti-bacterial properties of neem help in getting rid of dandruff keeping your scalp healthy and help in stimulating hair growth.

8. Reduces Scalp Itchiness:

To tackle the problem of dandruff and itchy scalp you can also apply a paste of neem powder and water and let it sit for an hour followed by your regular shampoo and conditioning

9. Treats All Scalp Related Problems:

Another hair mask that will help you deep condition your hair can be made by mixing neem powder with amla powder, shikakai powder and reetha powder with water and lemon juice. Apply this to your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes before you wash it off with your regular shampoo. The ingredients of the pack will help in keeping scalp problems at bay while retaining the moisture in the hair and preventing dryness.

10. Treats Malaria:

Neem offers the goodness of an antipyretic agent as well. Malaria is a lethal fever that affects the efficiency of the human liver. Eat few neem leaves daily to keep the liver safe of malarial side effects.

Neem is just about anti-everything:

• anti-bacterial
• anti-viral
• anti-septic
• anti-diabetic
• anti-fungal
• blood-purifying
• spermicidal

Benefits Of Neem For Animals

Wash your dog with neem soap or a neem shampoo, and you'll discourage biting insects,

ticks and fleas, ringworm, mange mites, any skin disorders or fungal infections.

Neem is just as fantastic for the skin and hair of your pets as it is for yourself. Again, you avoid nasty chemicals and harmful medications. They only increase stress for the immune system rather than helping it, whereas neem benefits the immune system and overall health of your pet.

References:

• Chandrika Mahendra, Senior Research Scientist, R & D, The Himalaya Drug Company