Neem

Ancient remedy for healthy skin in the new millennium

The neem tree has been grown and treasured by people for more than 4000 years. It has so many uses, it is sometimes called the Miracle Tree. Native to India, the neem tree can be grown as a tropical plant in our climate. Like all other tropicals, it does need to be kept indoors once the temperatures drop into the 40ºs. Botanically, the plant is Azadirachta indica and it is closely related to the mahogany tree.

As a tropical ornamental plant, Neem is prized for its overall appearance and its small, honey-scented blooms in spring. It has compound leaves made up of many narrow, deeply toothed leaves and the plant is very upright.

The ancients, as well as modern science acknowledge neem, also known as nimba or margosa, as a powerful healing herb with diverse applications. Described in Ayurvedic texts as sarva roga nirvarini – that which keeps all diseases at bay, or arishtha – reliever or disease – neem has been used in the Ayurvedic tradition for thousands of years to maintain health.

The roots, bark, gum, leaves, fruit, seed kernels and seed oil are all used in therapeutic preparations for both internal and topical use.

Neem and skin diseases

This remarkable tree has over 135 biological compounds – making it effective for a wide range of ailments. The neem leaf is reknowed for having an almost magical effect on the skin. It works as an antifungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.

Like the leaves, the oil (obtained by crushing neem seeds) is used for skin problems.

Neem preparations are reportedly efficacious against a variety of skin diseases, septic sores, and infected burns. Neem is toxic to several fungi that attack humans, including the cause of athlete’s foot and ringworm. It can be used against candida, which cause yeast infections and thrush.

Experiments with smallpox, chicken pox, and fowl pox show that although neem does not cure these diseases, it is effective for purposes of prevention.

According to report from the National Research Council’s Ad Hoc panel of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development, neem preparations from the leaves or oils can be used as general antiseptics. Because neem contains antibacterial properties, it is highly effective in treating epidermal conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema and other persistent skin problems.

It is also used for treating septic sores, infected burns, scrofula, indolent ulcers and ringworm.

Even many medical practitioners believes that smallpox, chicken pox and warts can be treated with a paste of neem leaves – usually rubbed directly on the cleared up when a high-quality neem product is used. Unlike synthetic chemicals that often produce side effects such as rashes, allergic reactions, or redness, neem doesn’t seem to have any of these side-effects.

Early Ayurvedic practitioners believed high sugar levels in the body caused skin disease. Neem’s bitter quality was considered to counteract the sweetness.

Indians historically bathed in neem leaves steeped in hot water. This is still a common procedure for curing skin ailments or allergic reactions.

Neem oil can help with the symptoms of psoriasis. The oil moisturizes and protects the skin while healing the lesions, scaling and irritation.

Experiments have shown that patients with psorasis who have taken neem leaf orally, combined with topical treatment with neem extracts and neem seed oil, achieve results at least as positive as those who use coal tar and cortisone, the more traditional treatments. Coal products are messy and smelly and cortisone can thin the skin when used repeatedly. Neem has neither side effect.

It can be used for extended periods of time without any side effects, is easy to apply and is relatively inexpensive.

Article excerption from The Star 25 May 2008