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AN ANCIENT CURE FOR A MODERN WORLD
For thousands of years, humans have sought to fortify their health and cure various ills with herbal remedies. Throughout this time, the search for a true panacea or cure-all has been undertaken by virtually every civilization. While hundreds of substances have been tried and tested, few have withstood modem scientific scrutiny. Perhaps no other botanical comes closer to the definition of a panacea than neem - a tropical evergreen native to India. Every part of this fascinating plant has been used to treat hundreds of different maladies from ancient to modem times. While it is still revered in India for its superior healing properties, recent investigation has dramatically increased worldwide interest in neem along with many products now manufactured with this miraculous herb.

Though legendary herbs such as ginseng are far better known, comprehensive research has proven that neem has a far wider array of uses than any other herb. The first recorded use of neem is attributed to the ancient East Indian Harappa culture that added the dozens of plant to health and beauty aids 4,500 years ago. The centuries-old healing system, Ayurvedic Medicine, has utilized these timeless neem formulations as a mainstay of the Ayurvedic pharmacy. Medicinal attributes of neem were extolled in the oldest Sanskrit writings. Neem has been continuously referred to as the "village pharmacy" due to its incredible array of healing properties. Its usefulness as a natural, non-toxic insect repellent, among other fascinating properties, further increases its phenomenal applications.

While Western medical doctors considered neem to be nothing more than "native folklore," many are now giving neem serious consideration as a potent and safe ingredient for use in diverse health treatments. The lack of side effects certainly enhances neem's appeal to both doctors and consumers alike. Ongoing scientific research is validating what Ayurvedic practitioners have known for centuries: neem is a dynamic and useful plant that can solve dozens of health problems, while enhancing overall well-being.

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NEEM AS A TREATMENT FOR NERVOUS DISORDERS
One of the most recent discoveries for neem revealed that extracts of neem leaves have been able to reduce anxiety and stress when ingested in small quantities. In initial trials, extracts from fresh green leaves gave anxiety reductions equal to diazepam, otherwise known as Valium.

Stress is a common cause of many health problems. Neem has been shown to have stress-relieving effects on the body by slowing the central nervous system, lowering blood pressure, slowing heart rates and opening blood vessels, physiologically producing a state of relaxation that then allows the mind to follow.

Lack of restful sleep is another'factor in creating physical and mental stress. Sleep aids abound, many with unpleasant side effects. Neem leaf extracts have the ability to calm anxiety and the central nervous system, helping to regain the ability to sleep contentedly.
To reduce the causes of headaches, including migraines, neern contains compounds similar to aspirin (prostaglandin inhibitors) for the relief of pain. Other compounds in neem help reduce blood pressure, open constricted blood vessels, relax muscles and reduce anxiety.

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NEEM AND DIGESTIVE DISORDERS
Neern is regularly taken to correct problems within the stomach and bowels. Neem promotes a healthy digestive system by protecting the stomach, aiding in the elimination and removal of toxins and harmful bacteria. Some neem leaf compounds reduce the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, while other compounds reduce gastric secretions.

Helicobacterpylori , now known to cause the majority of gastric ulcers in the lining of the stomach, is a bacteria that responds to treatment with anti-bacterials. The success of neem in treating stomach ulcers may be due, in part, to the compounds in neem that have been proven to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Oral doses of neem leaf extracts gave significant protection against peptic ulcers, duodenal ulcers and enhanced the healing process of gastric lesions.

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NEEM AS A TREATMENT FOR PARASITES
Historically, neern has been used to rid the body of all forms of parasites. Scientists have since proven that neem quickly kills external and internal parasites. There are numerous Ayurvedic preparations and home remedies using neem for this purpose. In fact, simple water extracts of neem leaves are preferred over standard prescription treatments for lice and scabies in Ayurvedic practices.

Neern extracts have compounds similar to hormones that interfere with the life cycle of external parasites such as lice and the scabies mite. Neern works because it has compounds that inhibit a parasite's ability to feed, and to prevent eggs from hatching. Since lice and scabies mites are becoming resistant to many of the products currently used to get rid of them, using neem may be not only the safest but also the most effective treatment available.

Itch mites are affected in the same way as lice by neem. Since scabies usually affect large areas of the skin, soaking in warm bath water with neern leaf tincture or a strong tea is recommended. After soaking in the water for about fifteen minutes, a neern soap and shampoo should be used to wash thoroughly. After the bath, a neembased cream or lotion should be applied. The itching should be relieved immediately and the scabies eliminated in a few days. As the mites can infect bedding and clothes, all contaminated clothing should be washed with a neern soap in hot water.

Neem teas are regularly used throughout the tropics to rid the body of intestinal worms. Teas made with ten drops of neem tincture, or five neem leaves, twice per day for one week, should eliminate these parasites from the body.

Malaria affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and kills over two million people every year. It has even made an occasional appearance in North America due to introduction of new mosquito strains and travelers from malarial regions. Ingestion of neem extracts have killed the parasite that causes malaria as it was growing in the blood of its human host. Neem oil can help prevent infection since mosquitoes are strongly repelled for almost twelve hours by neem oil lotions. Neem provides a simple and easily available remedy throughout the world's malaria zones - the neem tree's original home.

Parasites are a common problem throughout much of the developing world. Untold millions of people are debilitated or killed by them every year. Crude preparations made with neem can be very effective at treating and preventing many of the problems parasites create. In the future, highly concentrated extracts will be even more effective, though most certainly less available and more expensive. Neem leaf tea offers a simple and inexpensive alternative.

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HEALTH SKIN WITH NEEM
Skin is our largest organ. Constantly replacing old and damaged cells, our skin needs a lot of care from the inside and the outside if it is to remain healthy. This amazing organ that protects us is also a visible display of how healthy we are and of how long and how wisely we have lived. The entire cosmetic industry is built upon the desire to improve the condition and appearance of their skin. They buy products to heal any and all problems with their skin, often resorting to strong chemicals and dangerous medications to do so.

The rediscovery of natural products like neem that have long traditions of safety and efficacy offer the opportunity to get back to the basics of healthy and beautiful skin. In India, the dry summers under an intense tropical sun have been countered from before written history with neern preparations. Neem oil quickly relieves dry skin because it is easily absorbed into the skin's upper layers where it helps heal damaged skin and enables it to recover its natural balance. These properties enable neem to reduce wrinkles by helping skin retain its suppleness as collagen formation is promoted. Many people believe neem even heals damage caused by ultraviolet rays, and prevents premature ageing and skin cancer.

Psoriasis is a particularly devastating skin disease. Psoriasis flare-ups can range from mild discomfort to deadly and debilitating attacks. The usual topical treatment for psoriasis involves either coal tar or cortisone. Coal tar products are messy, smelly, carcinogenic, and can be phototoxic. Cortisone can thin the skin and produce systemic toxicity after repeated use, especially in children. Neem has none of these drawbacks. Topical applications of neem. are easy and inexpensive, and since it is usually oil or cream based, neem helps to lubricate the skin. Neem can be used topically for extended periods without side effects and can replace oral medications and injections. With centuries of safe and effective use, neem is perhaps the best and safest treatment for psoriasis.

Though nowhere near as severe as psoriasis, eczema can also be a problem for those experiencing it. Neern is traditionally known as one of the better for eczema because of the broad range of beneficial effects it has on skin. In tests two daily applications of neem
extract cured all cases in ten days with no recurrence for three months. Though-neern oil is preferred because of the concentration of active compounds, topical applications of even the milder leaf or bark extracts have cured acute eczema.

Many elements and infectious agents attack skin. Neern is very beneficial for skin conditions because of its ability to kill bacteria, parasites, and fungi, stop viral replication and improve the immune system.

Skin Conditions Helped by Neem

Neem kills the bacteria that causes acne and reduces the associated inflammation.
Neem lotions kill the fungi that cause dandruff while lubricating the resulting dry skin.
Neem extracts are toxic to the herpes virus and can quickly heal cold sores.
Neem alleviates the intense itching of chickenpox, reduces pock formation and scarring.
Neem clears the skin of the fungus that causes ringworrn in two to three days.
Neem extracts control Candida (yeast infection) and relieves the persistent itching caused by this fungus.
Neem powders and creams protect from and help heal the effects of diaper rash.
Neem balances melanin production and reduces patches of skin discolored by vitiligo.

* Neem is an excellent wound healer that helps the body to rapidly create collagen fibers to close to wound.

Neem lotion reduces the "bum" of sunburn and will greatly reduce or eliminate peeling. The neem tree is the source of a number of patented extracts for the treatment of cancer. Injections of neem extract around tumors showed remarkable reduction in size in just a few weeks. Neem has repeatedly been shown to help fight skin cancer. Many patients report that skin cancers have disappeared after several months of daily application of a neem-based cream.

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ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS WITH NEEM
Summer is the time when most people want to get out and enjoy the outdoors. But biting insects can quickly turn a fun time into a nightmare. Keeping insects away usually involves synthetic repellents containing a potentially dangerous chemical called N,Ndiethyl-m-toluamide, commonly called DEET. Though these repellents are effective they may also be responsible for severe medical problems reported by some people who use them. A safer alternative was needed.

Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil used since antiquity as an insect repellent for both people and food crops. Researchers at the Malaria Institute have discovered that neem repels the mosquito that causes malaria for up to twelve hours as well as biting flies, sand fleas and ticks. In fact, several compounds in neem are more effective insect repellents than DEET yet are much safer.

For those seeking a safe alternative to potentially dangerous synthetic repellents, neem offers an attractive alternative:

Neem oil is an excellent skin moisturizer while DEET is not recommended for repeated application to the skin, around the face or on the hands of small children.
Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil safe for most surfaces while DEET should not be sprayed on furniture, plastics, watch crystals, leather and painted surfaces.
Neem is a healing herb that is famous for its healing properties for cuts, scrapes and poison oak and ivy. DEET products contain warnings against getting them in open sores or on damaged skin.

When we go outdoors insects will usually be a part of the experience. Keeping them from biting and possibly transmitting diseases can be accomplished safely with neem oil products. The compounds developed over millions of years by the neem tree offer natural, safe and effective protection from insects. Although neem may not always prevent the insect from landing, it will prevent bites.

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MODERN SCIENCE VALIDATES NEEM
The various uses of neem to cure human ailments, boost immunity and fortify human health are almost endless. Neem is one of the most powerful blood-punifiers and etoxifiers known. Hundreds of specific health maladies respond favorably to the proper application of neem. This does not include the countless uses of neem as a natural beauty aid and as an insect repellent.

The bark, seeds, leaves, fruit, gum and oil of the neem tree contain compounds responsible for the exceptional benefits this amazing botanical provides. These botanical compounds offer some impressive therapeutic qualities such as being:

Antiviral	Antimicrobial	Antifungal
Antibacterial	Antipyretic	Anti-inflammatory
Antitumor	Analgesic	Anti-anxiety
Alterative	Anthelmintic	Immune Stimulant

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NEEM AS A TREATMENT FOR DIABETES
Diabetes mellitus is a disease suffered by millions of people in the United States alone. It causes a number of debilitating and sometimes deadly complications. Blindness, amputations from poor circulation, heart disease and a number of other problems can result from diabetes. It is therefore a major concern that we develop adequate treatments, and eventually a cure.

Diabetes had been treated with herbs and diet until the advent of modem pharmaceuticals and the ability to chemically produce insulin in large quantities. Though insulin has been a lifesaver for insulin-dependent diabetics, the repeated injections are expensive and painful. The neem tree offers an opportunity to reduce the number of insulin shots with a safe and proven herb. Neern can also reduce the need for hypo-glycaemic drugs, and increase their effectiveness for those with non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Scientific studies show neem leaf and certain extracts of the leaf and seed oil are effective in reducing insulin requirements. Different studies show insulin requirement reductions of between 20 - 50% for those who take five grams of dried neem leaf capsules daily. There are even anecdotal reports of diabetics chewing a single neem leaf daily that have been able to eliminate hypoglycernic drugs completely.

Based on the many studies of neem's effect on diabetes, the Indian government approved neem-based tablets for sale by a pharmaceutical company as a treatment for diabetes. One study of the product published in The Journal of General Medicine showed the tablets alone significantly lowered blood glucose levels. Tests were also performed on the effect of taking the tablets along with standard hypoglycemic drugs. These tests showed that the neembased tablets significantly improved the effectiveness of standard hypoglycemic drugs when taken together.

Circulation problems are a frequent cause of amputations for diabetics. Neem leaf extracts cause the blood vessels to dilate, allowing for increased circulation to the extremities.

In one personal experience, a friend's diabetic brother was about to lose a foot because of poor circulation. After taking neem leaf capsules three times a day and wrapping his foot in a poultice of neem leaves for several days, the circulation returned to his foot and the amputation was cancelled.

There is no consensus as to the mechanism of the results observed. Some researchers believe it can work by either reserve insulin being released or by directing the reduction of blood glucose by metabolic factors. In either case, neem can be extremely useful in treating both types of diabetes mellitus.

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TREATING HEART DISEASE WITH NEEM
The neem tree has historically been a source of medications to treat heart disease. Scientists have proven neem's effectiveness for many of the causes of heart disease and have begun isolating promising compounds from different parts of the tree. Neem leaf and seed oil extracts have been shown to reduce clotting, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, slow rapid heartbeat, reduce inflammation and inhibit irregularities of the rhythms of the heart.

Some neem leaf compounds can produce effects similar to mild sedatives, reducing anxiety and other emotional and physical states that can precipitate heart attacks.

To understand the great promise of neem in lowering the incidence of heart disease, we must look at all of the different effects neem can have on the body relating to the heart and the circulatory system. Scientific research shows how simple, yet effective, many of the traditional treatments using neem can be.

A healthy cholesterol level is important to maintaining blood flow. Neern leaf extracts have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels significantly and may help remove cholesterol from the body.

Blood clots often cause heart attacks when they close blood vessels at points where plaque formation has significantly narrowed the opening. Some neern compounds act like aspirin to reduce blood clotting without harming the stomach.

Many researchers now believe the leading cause of heart attacks is chronic, low-grade inflammation of the arteries. Neern compounds are proven inflammation reducers, a major benefit of taking neem for circulatory conditions.

Arrhythmias (irregular heart beats) are implicated in one-third of all heart attacks. Simple neern leaf extracts exhibited anti-arrhythmic activity and a decrease in rapid heartbeats.

These are a few of the effects neern can have in preventing heart disease. For both the people who cannot get access to the expensive medications currently used by wealthier countries and those who desire alternative therapies, neern can be an alternative source of medication.

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NEEM AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE
One of the first things we notice about people is their teeth. Are they all there? Are they straight? Are they white? Teeth tell us a lot about the person and affect how we respond to them, especially on a first impression. I'm reminded of the commercial where a nice looking man and woman are glancing at each other at a party and starting to flirt. Then, the man smiles a friendly smile and shows a set of yellow teeth.

The woman immediately stops flirting and looks away. The possibilities end there. The commercial is perhaps a bit extreme, but similar occurances are not uncommon when it comes to teeth and the reactions they evoke.

Scientists investigating neem extracts have found that they have much to recommend for dental hygiene. The microorganisms found in inflamed gums are resistant to penicillin and tetracycline but are not resistant to antibacterial plant extracts like neem. Unlike antibiotics, antibacterial plant extracts produced no allergy in the gingiva that could inhibit their effectiveness.

In a clinical study, 50 patients with confirmed gingivitis were selected, 40 showed severe bleeding and pustular discharges from the gums. After just three weeks of brushing twice a day with paste including neem leaf extracts, eight out of ten patients showed significant improvement. The patients also showed a reduction in bacterial populations and elimination of halitosis (bad breath) with no side effects.

Pyorrhea is an advanced gum disease characterized by an inflammation of the gums and membranes covering the roots of the teeth. More teeth are lost by people over age 35 because of this disease than any other cause. Using a neem-based toothpaste and mouthwash healed bleeding gums, stopped the secretion from pockets around the teeth and returned blue-tinted gums to a healthy pale pink color.

As a personal testimonial, my father was scheduled to undergo a long and painful process of visiting a periodontist to correct bleeding gums. He was to have his gums cut between the teeth, and then have each tooth scraped to remove accumulated plaque and bacteria. I gave him some neem bark powder and told him to dip his toothbrush into the powder each time he brushed his teeth.

He agreed to try it for a month before the recommended surgery. Within a week, he noticed his gums felt better and had stopped bleeding, and his teeth seemed more firmly set in the gums. By the end of the month, his dentist was examining his teeth to have a last look before the surgery, but the dentist no longer felt surgery was necessary. He asked my father what he had been doing because his teeth and gums were almost normal. The dentist, when told, said he had never heard of neem, but told my father definitely not to stop because it was working - keeping him from a series of painful scrapings.

Since then, I have given the powdered bark or leaf extract to several other friends Who faced dental surgery and all have been able to cancel the procedures. They all continue to brush with neem.

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SAFER, BETTER SEX WITH NEEM
Love potions and aphrodisiacs have been the stuff of legend and lore throughout history. So far, none have been found to be true. But sex can be made better, safer and more enjoyable with neem.

The two biggest worries while having sex are pregnancy and disease. Neem oil's safe lubricating action combined with its birth control and its anti-viral and immune stimulating properties can allow both partners to concentrate more on enjoying sex and less on worrying about pregnancy and disease.

Research over the last 20 years has shown neem oil to be 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used as a vaginal lubricant, The effectiveness lasted over five hours after a single application and produced no irritation. That compares to no more than 30 minutes for commercial spermicides that are messy and irritating to both parties. Neem oil's birth control effect does not appear to be hormonal and is considered a safe and effective alternative to other methods.

A neem-based contraceptive cream called Sensal was iecently developed by a pharmaceutical company for distribution in India. Tests of its effectiveness showed that it compared favorably with the chemical-based foams and gels usually used for contraception but had the advantage of also killing diseasecausing bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Neem contains a number of healing compounds that lessen the chance of contracting or transmitting sexual diseases. Used in conjunction with condoms, neem can help to minimize the risk of dangerous diseases such as AIDS, herpes and the human papilloma virus (HPV). As an added benefit, neem oil safely acts as a lubricant soothing vaginal walls without danger of damaging latex condoms.

The AIDS virus can be transmitted during sexual intercourse. Latex condoms are, at present, the only known way of severely reducing the chance of transmission during sexual intercourse. However, condoms sometimes break, especially when using certain lubricants, allowing any infectious agents to come into contact with tissues. Neem oil can help protect against AIDS through its anti-viral and immune-stimulating properties, especially the cell-mediated immune response.

The National Institutes of Health reports that neem extract prevented the AIDS virus from infecting cells, but there was no determination of how this was accomplished.

Before the advent of AIDS, herpes was the most dreaded sexually transmitted disease. Herpes is an incurable and easily transmitted disease that can result in periodic eruptions of painful sores and blisters. Tests in Germany show that neem extracts are toxic to the herpes virus reducing the threat of transmission and helping to prevent eruptions of established conditions.

The human papilloma virus (iJPV) is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that is difficult to treat and can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Condoms and barrier methods of birth control will not prevent an infection by HPV. However, using neem oil as a vaginal lubricant during intercourse, in conjunction with condoms, may provide significant protection.

Most men buildup to and complete an orgasm much quicker than women. This disparity in timing is frustrating to both participants. To remedy the situation topical analgesics have been used to help men delay their orgasms. Most of these analgesics are effective, but irritate the areas they touch.

Neem oil has a very mild desensitizing quality that has traditionally been used to treat skin conditions such as scrapes, bums, psoriasis and itching. By reducing slightly the nerve sensitivity of the penis, the buildup of sensations that end in orgasm is slowed. This delay enables the woman to continue her slower orgasmic build up so she may achieve orgasm either before or simultaneously with the man.

Sex is an integral part of the human experience. The way our bodies respond to stimuli, the timing of peak sexual enjoyment and the distracting influence of worry and fear can all reduce the potential for pleasure. Though neem is no aphrodisiac or love potion, it can make sex a more enjoyable experience for both partners by making sex safer, better and more worry-free.

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NEEM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Neem is quickly becoming the best friend of many of the world's farmers, especially in the more impoverished areas of the tropics. Neem oil is an effective insecticide, miticide, fungicide, nematacide, and an insect antifeedant and repellant. (An insect antiieedant is a substance that discourages insect feeding but does not directly kill the insect.) As an antifeedant, neem oil is so effective that desert locust, a major crop destroyer, will starve to death before eating plants treated with neem oil.

Because neem products are used for human consumption and medication, exposure to neem in the process of treating plants with neem oil poses no threat to humans or other higher animals. Moreover, neem is not a contact poison so does little han-n to beneficial insects, affecting primarily those insects feeding on plants treated with neem, Since most predator insects do not feed on plants, they are rarely harmed by the presence of neem. Neem. biodegrades in a matter of weeks when exposed to sunlight or in soil.

Naturally occurring compounds in neem have been shown to be an effective antifeedant and growth regulator for more than 200 species of insect pests and yet are surprisingly nontoxic to birds, mammals and beneficial predators like ladybugs, spiders, bees and wasps.

Implementation of environmentally friendly horticultural practices is essential to the preservation of the quality of life on Earth. Ecologically sound practices which rely less upon synthetic chemical pesticides and more upon integrated pest management (IPM) practices including the use of naturally occurring pest controls like neem oil are imperative to maintain soil productivity and reduce ancillary poisoning of people and animals.

In third-world countries where the tropical neem tree grows, farmers can make crude insect control directly from neem seeds. Crushed neem seeds soaked in water overnight provide a very effective spray that protects crops from attack by insects. Neem seeds are readily available to the farmer since the tree grows in the yard or is used as a windbreak. Making their own insect control from neem saves the fanner hard-earned money that would normally have been spent on commercial pesticides. It also protects their health because it protects without being toxic. Neem makes the ideal insect control for impoverished farmers worldwide.

After taking the highly valuable oil from them the remaining kernels of neem seeds are not wasted. They are used, as they have been for centuries, as a soil amendment. Experience has taught farmers that working the leftover neem kernels into the soil of a garden produces larger, healthier plants that have few problems with insect pests.

The neem tree can save millions of people from starvation caused by insects that are growing increasingly resistant to our current arsenal of nerve toxins and biological pesticides. Neem can also prevent countless deaths and physical suffering caused by using chemical pesticides. It can do this for large farming corporations and backyard gardeners in industrialized nations as well as for subsistence farmers who grow a few trees for their own use in rural villages of third-world countries. Providing a safe, inexpensive and very effective insect control for both ends of the agricultural spectrum is a truly remarkable quality of the amazing neem tree.

Source: Neem: The Miraculous Healing Herb by John Conrick