When I sent my student, Sharveen, back to his house this evening he told me that the neem tree in front of his house is as old as he is. It seems that his parents planted the tree when he was born and so the tree is 16 years old. In some western countries the people plant baby trees when their babies are born. The Fijians plant coconuts trees on such an occasion. I can fathom why his parents chose to plant the NEEM tree (Azadirachta indica) as neem is known as "the village pharmacy” in India because of its healing versatility, and it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 4,000 years due to its medicinal properties. It is also considered sacred by the Hindus. Neem is also called ‘arista’ in Sanskrit- a word that means 'perfect, complete and imperishable’. The seeds, bark and leaves contain compounds with proven antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antifungal uses. The Sanskrit name ‘nimba’ comes from the term 'nimbati syasthyamdadati’ which means ‘to give good health’ to mark the birth of their first child.
In India families often bathe new-born babies in water that has been boiled with neem leaves because of its medicinal and refreshing qualities. In South India, when a mother leaves a baby unattended, she often leaves a small twig of neem leaves near the baby for protection. And do you know that thousands of Indians use neem twigs to brush their teeth every day? Yup, they do.
Another ritual called the "Ashwatta Narayana Puja" is used by couples who want to conceive a child. They perform a "marriage" of neem and the banyan tree and go around these seven times every morning for seven days.
At funerals, the Puranas urge that family and friends to chew neem leaves to protect against lingering infections, and spread more leaves at the threshold of the house where the death occurred - a tradition based on neem's healing powers and dating back to the days when many people died in epidemics.
Another ritual called the "Ashwatta Narayana Puja" is used by couples who want to conceive a child. They perform a "marriage" of neem and the banyan tree and go around these seven times every morning for seven days.
At funerals, the Puranas urge that family and friends to chew neem leaves to protect against lingering infections, and spread more leaves at the threshold of the house where the death occurred - a tradition based on neem's healing powers and dating back to the days when many people died in epidemics.
Here are some tips on using Neem. Do give it a try as it is both healthy, cheap and has no side effects. You can easily find these trees by the roadside.
- Mix pure dried neem oil with Vaseline in the ratio of 1:5. This combination can be used for repelling insects including mosquitoes as well as for skin disorders, minor cuts, burns, wounds etc.
- For complete skin protection make a strong tea with neem leaves and add to the bath along with a little rose water.
- Boil 10 freshly cleaned neem leaves along with cotton with a liter of water for approximately 10 minutes. Cool. Use as an eyewash in case of conjunctivitis, itching etc.
- For athletes’ foot and other foot problems, make a strong tea and soak feet.
- For dandruff and head lice: Massage neem oil mixed with coconut or olive oil into hair and leave for 1 hour. Shampoo. Repeat once weekly for 3 weeks or as long as problem persists.
- To treat a sore throat without antibiotics, gargle with neem leaf water (add 2 – 3 neem leaves to 300 ml water and cool) to which honey has been added.
- For acne, pimples, skin infections apply pure neem leaf powder mixed with water to the affected area.
- Boil 40 – 50 neem leaves in 250 ml of water for 20 minutes. Cool, strain and refrigerate to use as a astringent.
- Chewing 2 – 3 neem leaves regularly helps purify the blood and in cases of hyperacidity and diabetes.
- Add shake dried neem leaves for preservation of food grains like rice, wheat, lentils etc. The leaves should be replaced every 2 – 3 months.
What I like to do with the leaves are to gather them in a bunch, tie them together and then hang them by the window or front door. When the wind blows on the leaves, they have an antiseptic effect on my household.
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