Neem in Medicine

Neem has been an indispensible part of our home remedies for ages. Neem has always been and still is a crucial, component of home remedies. Even the shade of the neem tree is held to be very healthy and it is routinely recommended for planting in front of houses. In fact it is a common custom in South India that when the mother leaves a baby unattended, she leaves a small twig of neem leaves near the baby for protection!

Some people are in the habit of chewing a few tender neem leaves in the mornings on an empty stomach either occasionally or even daily. A friend of one of the authors of this book had on interesting experience to relate in this connection. He related that in his childhood be observed that his grandmother would sleep soundly even on these nights when various others were disturbed by mosquito bites. She attributed her immunity to mosquito bites to her daily uses of neem leaves! Fumigation with neem leaves is effective as mosquito repellant.

We have listed below some common uses of neem. However it must be added that the limits of self-help should always be borne in mind. Special caution should be observed while treating children, pregnant and lactating women, convalescent individuals and old persons. If the problem is persistent or the symptoms are aggravated, expert help should be sought.

Preventive - Promotive uses

Building Immunity
 

Chewing of 8-10 neem leaves early in the morning for twenty four days protects the body from diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The body also becomes immune to skin problems by this medication.

Tooth powder : A mixture of powder of neem seeds, (10 gms), rock salt (10 gms) and alum (10gms), mixed well can be used as a tooth powder for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Curative Uses

Hair care: A decoction prepared of the leaves of neem is used as a head wash to remove premature greying of hair, hair loss, lice infestation and dandruff.

Conjunctivitis: Juice of neem leaves (5-10 ml) is warmed slightly and applied as eye drops. Fresh juice is prepared by grinding fresh leaves and squeezing it through a double folded cotton cloth.

Ear drops: Juice of neem leaves(5 ml) and equal quantity of honey when mixed well and instilled as ear drops, reduces oozing from the ear and also removes inflammation. However, if the oozing persists and is painful and foul smelling, expert guidance should be sought.

Jaundice: Juice of neem leaves(15-30ml) and half the quantity of honey is taken on an empty stomach for seven days.

Stomatitis: For infantile stomatatis 10-15 dry neem leaves along with 5 gm of Pippali (long pepper) and honey should be ground and applied on the tongue.

Worms : The juice of neem leaves (10 ml) along with honey and asafoetida powder (5 gm) remove intestinal worms in children.

Stomach problem: 5 gm of dried neem flowers mixed and fried with 5gm each of rock salt, old tamarind, chillies and curry leaves is prepared into a chutney and given in conditions such as vomiting, anorexia, sour belching and worms.

Urinary stones: Kshara or ash is prepared by burning the dry neem leaves in an earthen pot. The ash is mixed well with water and allowed to stand still for 24 hours. The sediment is used as kshara after filtering the water out.

The Kshara (ash) of neem leaves (50 gm) taken with warm water every day in the morning removes urinary stones. However, in conditions where there is complete retention of urine due to the stones and if thereis severe colic pain at the lower abdomen, an expert guidance should be sought.

Urticaria: A decoction of neem bark, sandal and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolius) is taken internally.

Piles: Four seeds of neem powdered and mixed with warm water and taken as a think on empty stomach for a week stops bleeding in piles.

The seeds of neem fried along with copper sulphate and mixed well with coconut oil is beneficial as an ointment for piles.

Pruritis: Juice of neem leaves when applied on the groin and anal region removes pruritis in children.

Fistula in Ano: Neem leaves, fresh turmeric, root of Arka (Calotropis gigantea), mustard and rock salt (5 gms each) are ground and the paste is applied.

Dysmenorrhoea: Juice of neem leaves (15 ml) and ginger juice (15 ml) mixed well and taken internally cures painful menstruation.

Post delivery care: To bring back the structure and functioning of uterus after delivery, one ounce (30ml) of juice of neem leaves should be taken for 27 days in the morning on an empty stomach.

Skin care: One teaspoon full of dry neem leaf powder, same quantity of ghee and dry gooseberry powder mixed with sufficient quantity of honey curses allergic skin afflicion.

The bark of neem and the root of Arka (Calotropis gigantea) taken in equal quantities (10 gm each) is rubbed with cow’s urine and applied on the skin problems it is always advisable to seek expert guidance.

A decoction of the neem bark is prepared by boiling 50 gm of neem bark in 400 ml of water till it is reduced to 100ml. To this 400 ml of ghee is added and boiled in a wide mouthed container and is removed from the flame when the froth appears which indicates the completion of the Ghritha (ghee) preparation. This ghee can be used both externally as well as internally for conditions such as herpes, lymphadinitis and skin problems.

Psoriasis: The ash of dry neem leaves mixed oil with milk with ghee and applied on the skin is beneficial in skin diseases such as psoriasis.

Sweating/Burning: 5 to 10 drops of neem oil with milk at bed time is very beneficial for excessive sweating and burning sensation

Chicken pox: Neem leaves are used to soothe the patient and prevent further spreading of the virus during the course of the infection. The patient is given a bath with water in which neem leaves are soaked, as a post-treatment care.

Measles: A pill prepared of tender neem leaves, Yasti (liquorice) power (20 gms each) and administered along with warm water is beneficial in measles.

Simple Formulations of Neem

Method of peparation: Crush the ingredients and add 400 ml of water. Boil on a low flame till the quantity is reduced to 100 ml.