So far, some 132 compounds have been isolated and named from all parts of the Neem Tree. Many of these compounds, already identified and catalogued scientifically, have shown themselves to be powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-fungal, insecticidal, contraceptive and (paradoxically, depending on the method of administration) effective pro-fertility agents. In addition, Neem deriveratives demonstrate many more health-promoting qualities.
‘Orthodox Medicine’ has thus far failed to explore, the benefits to be found in a single tree. A major hurdle has been the inability of most western practitioners to believe a single source can contain so many benefits, or indeed that natural products have anything much to offer their pharmacopeia.
This, despite the fact that many of the medications used to treat heart disease had their origins in the common (dare I say a weed?) foxglove; or more recently their reluctant adoption of Tamoxifen (derived from the humble Yew tree) as an effective chemotherapeutic in the treatment of certain cancers.
Given the recent alarms about the spread of Aids in Africa and Asia, it is worth noting that ordinary lemon juice has recently been identified to be both a powerful spermicide (inserting a slice of lemon has been folk knowledge since the time of Cleopatra) and specifically potent against the Aids virus. Neem oil is also a powerful spermicide and viricide.
For 5,000 years+ Indian women have prevented unwanted pregnancies by using a cotton pad to which Neem oil has been added and inserting it some 15 minutes prior to intercourse. Research is at present being conducted vis-à-vis neem oil’s anti-Aids virus properties. Both methods are simple and inexpensive.
Another major factor is the reluctance of multi-national Pharmaceutical Companies to bother with investigating/promoting cures which cannot be patented. Most Courts of Law are disinclined to grant patents to knowledge which has been in the public domain for millennia, so to hell with the good of the people if you can’t make millions of dollars out of it.
The list of diseases which various parts of the neem tree are effective against, either through ingestion or applied externally or both, would take the remainder of this article, so I will try to group them. If you want detailed information, type neem tree into your search engine.
List 1 (already supported by scientific research): Arthritis and Rheumatism; Contraception; Cancer; Diabetes; Cardio-vascular Disease; Oral/Dental Disease; Infections/Diseases/Parasites of the Intestinal Tract; Skin Diseases; Herpes Virus; Papilloma Virus.
List 2 (under investigation/anecdotal evidence): Stress/Anxiety/Depression; Vitiligo (believed to be an auto-immune disorder which causes patches of skin to lose their color). It occurs in about 5% of all human populations but is much more widespread amongst those with darker skins. I have seen some sufferers here in Indonesia.
Malaria – Neem has a two-pronged action: Eating leaves as a lightly cooked vegetable wards off the parasite’s attack on red blood cells – Mosquitoes exposed to neem volatiles for 90 minutes become egg-bound for up to seven days – when they alight on still water, they are unable to lay their eggs. This is a two-way benefit. Burning neem seeds/twigs/leaves/oil acts as a repellent and helps reduce the mosquito population.
Asthma – Anecdotal evidence has demonstrated benefits in the treatment of asthma sufferers via ingestion and inhalation routes. Patients who have previously had to use their nebulisers 3-4 times daily have found their need reduced to about the same number of times weekly.
Hepatitis – Scientific tests are currently under way to determine Neem’s effectiveness against Hepatitis A (jaundice) and B. These two forms of the virus are spread by the oral/fecal route and anecdotally have been successfully treated with neem products. Of the two, Hep.B is the more dangerous as it can have irreversible affects on the liver. Research has shown that chronic Hep. B infection may lead to cancer of the liver.
Excema/Psoriasis – Neem has proved effective against many skin diseases, the worst of which are these two. A 20 minute bath to which a few drops of neem oil have been added softens and exfoliates the lesions, reducing itching and inflammation. Application of a neem cream (may be done at anytime) further continues this process and will, over time, cause the lesions to disappear. Stubborn warts (a virus) will also vanish with persistent application – Neem actually absorbs the virus when applied topically.
Apart from these medical benefits, neem products have also been aids to beauty for millennia. Taking a warm bath in which neem leaves have been steeping (alternatively – a few drops of oil added) promotes smooth, elastic skin and over time will remove minor blemishes such as roughened skin, UV damage, and other types of superficial skin damage. A few drops of neem oil added to honey and massaged into the skin is an ancient beauty treatment.
Next issue – where to find, cultivation, non-medical uses of Neem.
Please send all your gardening questions to
E-mail: gardendoctor08@yahoo.com
