In the world of Ayurveda, neem is a popular medicinal herb that’s been part of traditional remedies that date back almost 5000 years. Also known as 'Azadirachta Indica' in English or ‘Neemba’ in Sanskrit, the neem tree is a really good example of how nature holds both the problem and the cure. It’s home to more than 130 different biologically active compounds! No wonder it’s such an effective anti-viral and anti-bacterial, along with being a powerful immuno-stimulant. In Ayurveda, neem is typically used to balance pitta and kapha. Its cold, light, and dry qualities tend to aggravate vata. Neem is therefore often recommended in combination with other herbs that help subdue its vata-provoking nature. If you do not know your dosha, we recommend that you take our free dosha quiz.
The leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, and seed oil offer a wealth of benefits to the skin, nails, scalp, teeth, and gums. Neem oil softens, moisturizes, and protects the skin and can also be used as a deodorant for malodorous sweat.
Ugadi :
Telugu new year is celebrated with huge pomp. ‘Yugadi’ means the beginning of a new age. Eventually, yugadi has become Ugadi and this is the beginning of Telugu new year. In other words, Ugadi is the traditional way to start off new year by preparing Ugadi Pachadi.People consume Ugadi Pachhadi (ఉగాది పచ్చడి), a unique dish to be eaten first in the morning on the day of Ugadi.
Ugadi Pachhadi(షడ్రుచులు) : It is a specific mixture of the six tastes like sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, tangy. Made up of neem flower petals, jaggery, chilli powder, salt, tamarind, and raw mango, this dish signifies that life has its share of joy and sorrow.
It indicates that life is a mixture of good and bad, joy and sorrow; success and failure. All these are experienced in life and one should get along the life with new hope.
☆ Neem leaves:
Wound healer: Make a paste out of the neem leaves and dab it on your wounds or insect bites a few times a day till it heals.
Goodbye dandruff: Boil a bunch of neem leaves till the water turns green, allow it to cool. After washing your hair with shampoo, cleanse it with this water.
Eye Trouble: Boil some neem leaves, let the water cool completely and then use it to wash your eyes. This will help any kind of irritation, tiredness or redness.
Treat that zit: Grind a few neem leaves, make a paste and apply it daily till the acne dries out. The paste also helps any kind of eruptions, dark spots and chronic ulcers.
Ear ailments: Blend some neem leaves and add some honey to it. Use a few drops of this mix to treat any ear boils.
Other skin disorders: Turmeric combined with a paste of neem leaves can also be used for itching, eczema, ring worms and some mild skin diseases.
Boost immunity: Crush some neem leaves and take them with a glass of water to increase your immunity.
☆ Neem Flowers :
Most parts of the neem tree are awfully bitter, with the exception of its flowers. White and delicate, neem flowers with their off-white buds are almost too pretty to be eaten and unbelievably therapeutic. The flowers have a sweet, almost mystical jasmine like scent at night and blossom once in the afternoon and then again in the evening. During the monsoon, you’ll see a bunch of them scattered right under the tree. Also known as Vepampoo in Tamil, these neem flowers can be used fresh, dried or in a powdered form. They’re used commonly in the South to cook a number of dishes: flower rice, pachadi, rasam, lentils and more. They’re often dry roasted and sprinkled on top of the dish to garnish as well.
Neem flowers can be used to treat anorexia, nausea, belching and intestinal worms. Ayurveda suggests neem leaves are good for the eyes and useful in treating skin disease and headaches. They’re used in aromatherapy because of their calming effect.
☆ Neem Twigs & Bark :
If you were born in India, you would have seen people chew away at a neem twig. For many years now, a neem twig is what people used as a make-do toothbrush. It fights germs, maintains the alkaline levels in your saliva, keeps bacteria at bay, treats swollen gums and also gives you whiter teeth. The twig also shreds into threads, almost like bristles that also destroy and prevent plaque.
☆ Neem Oil :
Neem oil that's extracted from neem seeds is rich in medicinal properties which are what makes it a great ingredient in cosmetics and other beauty products: soaps, hair oil, hand wash, soap etc. It can treat a bunch of skin diseases and is known to be an excellent mosquito repellent. You can mix it with coconut oil and apply it over your body as well. It is believed that in India, small children are fed neem oil as a type of cure-all. Besides being such a great Ayurvedic healer, neem oil can be used to protect other plants. It can also be used in creams, soaps and other cosmetic products. Here are some great uses of neem oil you may have missed:
• Say no to blackheads: Take 2-3 drops of neem oil, dilute it with water and apply this mix on your blackheads. Apply this regularly to get rid of blackheads and prevent them from coming back.
• Anti-ageing: Neem oil is extremely nourishing and can be added to your face packs. It also helps ageing skin, any kind of skin irritation and itching.
• For great hair: Take some neem oil and rub it into the scalp, leave it in for a while and wash. Neem oil can strengthen your hair, prevent hair fall and treat dandruff.
Neem Side Effects :
Neem can act as a refrigerant and can reduce the temperature of a specific tissue or even the entire body. Use caution if cold is a key player in any given condition. Discontinue use and consult your health care practitioner if there are any signs of nausea, vomiting, loose stools, or excess hunger.
While neem has certainly stood the test of time and has been deemed safe with appropriate and moderate use, it remains a powerful herb and should be treated with respect, particularly when taken internally. Because herb/drug interactions have not been researched extensively, exercise caution when combining neem with prescription drugs.
• Some data suggests to avoid the use of neem while taking acetaminophen.
• Neem may intensify the effect of medications aimed at lowering blood pressure or blood sugar, causing blood sugar and blood pressure to drop.
* Contraindications :
Neem should not be taken by any of the following persons:
• Pregnant women, infants, or children
• Anyone trying to conceive—male or female
• Those with allergies to any plants in the mahogany family.
• Anyone exhibiting extremely elevated vata, wasting (such as with bone loss), or debility.
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