Sunday, 2 March 2014

60. NEEM


                                                           NEEM



Neem trees are worshipped all over Asia. In most of the temples you can see a neem tree. It is called ‘divine tree’. Tender shoots and flowers are used as vegetable. The leaves are eaten with jaggery on the day of a festival called ‘ugadi’. It is not easy to eat the leaves because they have a bitter taste. Products made from neem have medicinal properties. All parts of neem tree like leaves, fruits, bark, seeds are used to prepare medicines for different diseases.

Benefits:
1. Neem leaves are anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fertility, and sedative.
2. Neem is considered a major component in Ayurvedic medicine. It is mostly prescribed for skin disease.
3. Neem twigs are used to brush teeth.
4. Neem oil is used to prepare cosmetics like soap, shampoo, creams and balms.
5. Pimples: Neem oil is used to cure pimples and to keep the skin smooth and shining. Paste made from neem leaves is also applied on face to cure pimples.
6. Neem is very effective in repelling pests and hence its derivatives are sprayed on plants to keep the pests away.
7. Neem has anti-desertification property and hence it is used as a good carbon dioxide sink.
8. People suffering from chicken pox are advised to sleep on neem leaves.
9. Neem gum is used as a balking agent and in the preparation of special food for diabetic patients. It is a very rich source of protein.
10. Aqueous extracts of neem leaves have demonstrated significant antidiabetic potential.
11. Fever: Neem leaves are boiled to make a drink to cure fever.
12. Extracts from neem leaves are believed to cure malaria and scabies.
13. Lice: Neem leaves are boiled in water and the water is put on the head to get rid of lice in the hair.
14. Intestinal worms: Tea made from neem leaves and ginger is taken to get rid of intestinal worms.
15. Neem oil is sprayed on domestic pets to get rid of fleas.
16. Pimples: Grind turmeric with neem leaves and apply to the face and take bath after half-an-hour.
 

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