Hippocratic
Oath
A key advantage to using Neem is its compliance with the first
tenant of the Hippocratic Oath taken by all physicians: "First,
cause no harm." Over thousands of years, Neem has been used by hundreds
of millions of people and no hazards have been documented for normal
dosages.
Allergies
Application of a neem-based cream or lotion will stop the itching
and inflammation of rashes and neem tea may be taken internally
for allergies to pollen, molds, etc.
We have compiled information about the benefits of Neem when used
by a person with Acne...READ
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Candida
In healthy people, the yeast Candida albicans normally exists on
the surface of certain moist areas of the body, including the mouth,
throat, and vagina. Sometimes, the fungus overgrows in localized
areas, causing minor forms of candidiasis such as oral thrush and
vaginal thrush. However, in people who have reduced immunity infection
can spread throughout the body this may also occur in people who
have had prolonged courses of antibiotics or use intravenous drugs.
Neem and Candida
Neem leaf tea will promote healing and reduce the pain and inflammation.
Children under 12 should only gargle with the tea and not swallow.
For the redness appearing on the skin around the mouth, a neem-based
cream should be applied regularly until the infection has cleared.
Read more about Neem and Fungi
on page 2
Neem and Yeast Infection
For infections of the skin, rubbing a neem-based cream on the affected
areas several times per day, especially after washing or getting
the area wet, will relieve the itching, heal the skin and get rid
of the infection. For vaginal yeast infections, a neem-based cream
can be applied with cotton swabs or douche with neem leaf extract.
Drinking three cups of neem tea for several days will help rid the
body of both external and internal infection....READ
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Athletes foot
Athlete's Foot is one of the most common forms of fungal infections
in the human environment. Athlete's Foot is generally contained
to the area between the soles of the feet and the toes. This mild
fungus is usually picked up in warm, public facilities, such as
showers, swimming pools and gymnasiums.
Neem and Athletes foot
Neem has been found to be effective against athletes foot. Fungal
infections of this type affect nine out of ten people in the United
States at some time or another. Untreated, this fungus can attack
the toenails and even cause secondary infections throughout the
body. A corn starch powder combined with powdered neem leaves makes
an excellent preventative while alcoholic neem leaf extract or a
neem-based lotion can be used if an infection has already begun
Prevention:
Athlete's Foot is easily preventable. Keeping feet cool and dry,
especially during warm summer months. Using powders or drying lotions
is the easiest way to prevent Athlete's Foot. Those prone to excessive
perspiration can purchase special socks which helps to wick wetness
and keep feet dry....READ ABOUT FUNGAL
INFECTIONS
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Ringworm
Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus that can affect
the scalp, skin, fingers, toe nails or foot. Affecting the smooth
skin and scalp, these fungal infections are often accompanied by
profound itching and redness of the affected skin. This fungus produces
circular ring lesions up to six inches in diameter on the skin and
can cause loss of hair in patches of the scalp.
Ringworm and Neem
Neem has historically been an effective treatment for fungal infections.
Early studies verified scientifically that the fungus that causes
ringworm is effectively controlled with neem extracts. In one trial,
patients with long term and severe cases of ringworm were selected
for study. They had used commercial ointments containing salicylic
acid and benzoic acid for over three years yet had failed to stop
the infection. They were each treated with alcoholic neem leaf extract
in a carrier creme. Within just two to three days after using neem
extract on the areas the patients were clear of the infection and
remained so for the one year follow-up period. Washing with neem
soap or shampoo and rubbing neem creme onto the affected areas clears
this infection in several days.
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Anti-inflammatory
Applying a cream containing neem oil topically has been used for
centuries to reduce inflammation. A compound called sodium nimbinate
found in neem leaves has been shown to provide significant relief
to inflamed tissue. Other compounds such as nimbin, nimbinin and
nimbidol are comparable to cortisone acetate in reducing inflammation.
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Arthritis
Arthritis is a term covering many types of joint ailments. The ailments
can be autoimmune disorders, infections, the result of wear on the
joints or simply inflammation. Generally though it is the inflammation
or the pain associated with it that is treated regardless of the
origin. Neem can aid in treating arthritis in many ways. Neem's
antibacterial properties can help kill infectious causes while its
inflammation reducing properties and pain suppressing properties
can alleviate the symptoms. Neem can also help create a balance
in the immune system which directly affects progression of the disease.
Arthritis is one of the most common medical problems. There are
more than 100 forms of it, and each has varying causes, symptoms
and treatments.
Warning
signs of arthritis include:
Swelling in one or more joints
Prolonged early morning stiffness
Recurring pain or tenderness in any joint
Inability to move joint normally
Redness and warmth in a joint
Unexplained fevers, weight loss or weakness with joint pain.
Any of these signs, when new, that lasts for more than two weeks
requires prompt medical attention. Distinguishing arthritis from
common aches and pain, along with determining the type of arthritis,
is important for treatment.
Common
types of arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis.
Caused by normal wear and tear on the joints, this chronic condition
is usually not serious. However a joint may degenerate to the
point where replacement surgery is needed.
Rheumatoid arthritis. A type
of inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition
caused by the body's immune system attacking joint-lining tissue.
Infectious arthritis. Infectious
agents include bacteria, fungi and viruses. This type of arthritis
can affect anyone. Usually, prompt diagnosis and treatment results
in recovery.
Gout. Gout is most common
in men older than 40 and is caused by formation of uric add crystals
in a joint.
A number of studies indicate the usefulness of neem in treating
arthritis.
The
long history of using neem leaf, bark and seed extracts to relieve
inflamed joints is borne out by the recent scientific investigations.
Treatment for arthritis is traditionally a mild neem leaf tea
coupled with rubbing a warmed neem-based cream on the stiff
or painful areas as needed.
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Anti-Viral
Neem is one of just a few known anti-viral agents. In a study
on neem's effectiveness as an anti-viral agent, neem seemed to
interact with the surface of cells to prevent infection by the
virus thereby inhibiting multiplication of the virus. Similar
results have been observed in studies of other viral pathogens
indicating a unique property of neem to prevent viral disease.
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Antibacterial
Properties of Neem
In 1855, a researcher reported that Neem leaves were given "with
great success" to European soldiers to fight cholera. In 1968,
Jain found leaves effective for various skin diseases and boils,
and in 1984, Pillai and Santhakumari noted antibacterial action.
Recent studies have shown antibiotic efficacy against many bacterial
strains, including Staphylococcus and Clostridia. Neem has even
successfully healed ulcers associated with bacterial infections.
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Chickenpox
Chickenpox, sometimes called varicella, is a common viral infection
that mostly affects young children. The infection, with its characteristic
rash of blisters, is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which
also causes herpes zoster. The virus is easily transmitted in
airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected people
or by direct contact with the blisters. You can catch chickenpox
from someone who has either chickenpox or herpes zoster if you
are not immune.
Neem and Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a viral disease that has been traditionally treated
with a paste of neem leaves -- usually rubbed directly onto the
affected skin
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Dandruff
Is a form of dermatitis. Usually associated with imbalance in
hormones, infections, or diets rich in fats and sweets, dandruff
can only be controlled, not cured.
Neem and dandruff
To treat dandruff, apply a neem-based cream to the scalp shortly
before bathing. Wash hair with shampoo with added Neem. I have
also found benefit in applying Neem mixed with Sweet Almond oil
to the scalp overnight and washing with a neem based shampoo in
the morning. Watching one's intake of sugar might help reduce
dandruff.
Itchy scalp
Itchy scalps can be caused by any number of things, ranging from
allergies and dandruff to mites. Washing the scalp with a neem
shampoo and applying a small amount of neem lotion to the scalp
afterwards will relieve each of these problems
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Head lice
Head lice are often spread among schoolchildren by contact clothing
or hairbrushes. It is contagious among family members and so all
should be treated at the same time. Bedclothes, hairbrushes, Hats
and other garments should be steeped and washed.
Head Lice and Neem
Neem has hormone mimics that interfere with the life cycle of
parasites, inhibit their ability to feed and prevent the eggs
from hatching.
Shampoos incorporating neem followed by neem-based cream to the
hair and scalp has proven to work in clearing the lice on both
adults and children with no side effects....Read
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EarAche
Neem acts to relieve the localized pain receptors, reduce
inflammation and kill bacteria that can cause earaches. Heat one
clove of garlic in one teaspoon of sesame oil. Let cool to just
above body temperature. Add two drops op camphor oil and five
drops of neem leaf extract or neem oil, then drip into each ear.
Use a bit of cotton in each ear to remove excess and to prevent
it from running out.
Hemorrhoids
Neem cream applied topically to external hemorrhoids becomes
a soothing and lubricating salve that also helps control bleeding
and itching. It provides the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
and pain-relieving properties desirable when treating hemorrhoids.
Herpes (Cold Sores,
warts)
The highly contagious herpes simplex viruses cause a number of
different disorders characterized by small, painful blisters on
the skin and mucous membranes, most commonly on or around the
lips or genital area. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is
transmitted by contact with a blister.
Neem and cold sores
Topical application of a neem-based cream to the affected area,
is recommended.
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Immune System
In studies that have been made, the general conclusion is that
neem not only kills some infective organisms directly but also
boosts the immune response on several levels. This increases the
body's ability to fight bacterial, viral, and fungicidal infections
itself.
This
combination of effects is more effective in the long run because
chemicals toxic enough to eliminate all microbes often also harm
healthy body tissue and cause undesirable side-effects. An improved
immune system can selectively wipe out the invading microbes without
adversely affecting other cells.
When
invaded by microbes (or anything else the body recognizes as foreign),
the immune system releases antibodies that lock onto and neutralize
the intruder.
Antibody production
Neem not only enhances antibody production but also seems to improve
the cell-mediated immune response by which white blood cells are
unleashed to kill the invaders. In this type of immune response,
special scavenger cells in the blood called macrophages devour
the microbes and present bits of them along with their own surface
molecules. It is only after macrophages (or other antigen-presenting
cells) present bits of the microbe as antigens that helper T cells
recognize the antigens. These helper T cells then release chemical
messengers called cytokines that galvanize other cells of the
immune system into a counterattack. By enhancing the body's first
line of defense, neem helps the immune system more quickly respond
to infections that might otherwise gain a strong foothold that
would then be more difficult to overcome.
Immunomodulatory
polysaccharide compounds
Neem, especially neem bark, is recognized for its immunomodulatory
polysaccharide compounds. These compounds appear to increase antibody
production. Other compounds in neem enhance the immune system
via a different mechanism; the cell-mediated immune response,
the body's first form of defense. Only when this system appears
to be unable to stop an infectious onslaught is the more massive
immune system involved.
Cell mediated immune response
Neem oil acts as a nonspecific immunostimulant that activates
the cell mediated immune response. This then creates an enhanced
response to any future challenges by disease organisms. When neem
oil was injected under the skin there was a significant increase
in leukocyte cells and perioneal macrophages showed enhanced phagocytic
activity and expression of MHC class II antigens. Production of
gamma interferon was also induced by the injection. Spleen cells
showed higher lymphocyte reaction to infection but did not augment
anti-TT antibody response.
By enhancing the cellular immune response most pathogens can be
eliminated before they cause the ill feeling associated with disease.
This mechanism could also help in diseases that involve the immune
system, like AIDS. Taking neem leaf or bark powder every other
day or drinking a mild neem tea will enhance antibody production
and the body's cell-mediated immune response, helping to prevent
infections.
Lymphomatic counts
Water soluble neem leaf extracts, when taken orally, produced
an increase in lymphomatic counts and both red and white blood
cells as well as lymphocyte counts.
Birth control effects
In studies on the birth control effects of neem the major factor
in that effect appears to be an increase in the immune response
where neem has been applied that causes the body to reject the
fetus as a foreign body.
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Neem and Pain
Inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase by limonoids (and/or
polysaccharides) reduces perceived pain.
Inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase
Neem leaf and bark extracts have been shown to be a more potent
inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase than acetylsalicylic acid
(aspirin) and pethidine hydrochloride. In some cases neem was
effective at reducing pain for a significantly longer period than
standard agents. Neem also reduces the activity of the central
nervous system, which also reduces perceived pain. According to
a study led by N. Khanna, neem produces an analgesic effect upon
the central and peripheral neural pathways. He also feels that
both opioid and non-opioid receptors can be affected by neem.
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Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that generally appears as
patches of raised red skin covered by a flaky white buildup. Although
the exact cause is unknown, psoriasis is believed to be related
to faulty signals sent by the body's immune system. These signals
accelerate the growth cycle in skin cells, which pile up on the
surface when the body can't shed them fast enough. Click here
for an animated image that illustrates the cycle of skin growth
in normal skin and skin with psoriasis.
Psoriasis is not contagious—no one can "catch" it from another
person. It has a genetic component that makes certain people more
likely to develop it, but often an external or environmental "trigger"
is necessary to make psoriasis appear. These triggers may include
emotional stress, injury to the skin, some types of infection
and reaction to certain drugs.
The most common form of psoriasis is called "plaque psoriasis"—about
80 percent of people with psoriasis have this type. Plaque psoriasis
can appear on any skin surface, although the knees, elbows, scalp,
trunk and nails are the most common locations. There are several
other types of psoriasis, and between 10 percent and 30 percent
of people with psoriasis also develop a related form of arthritis,
called psoriatic arthritis.
Neem and Psoriasis
Neem has an almost magical effect on chronic skin conditions that
fail to respond to conventional treatments. Acne, psoriasis, eczema,
and ringworm are conditions that are effectively treated by a
Neem preparation....MORE
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Neem and Scabies
Scrub with Neem Soap and Neem Shampoo. Dry, then liberally apply
Neem Lotion over entire body (not just where scabies are evident).
2 or 3 Neem leaf capsules daily for 2 weeks to boost immune system
can be taken by adults. This attacks the scabies internally and
increases the blood circulation. Take 1 to 2 capsules a day for
about 4 weeks after the scabies has gone....READ
Scabies
Scabies is a contagious disorder of the skin caused by very small,
insects or mites called the Human Itch mite or Scabies itch mite.
The female insect burrows into the skin where she lays 1 - 3 eggs
daily. A very small, hard to see, zigzag blister usually marks
the trail of the insect. Other more obvious symptoms are an intense
itching (especially at night) and a red rash that can occur at
the area that has been scratched.
The most common locations for scabies are on the sides of fingers,
between the fingers, on the backs of the hands, on the wrists,
heels, elbows, armpits, inner thighs and around the waist (belt
line).
If untreated, the female will continue to lay eggs for about five
weeks. The eggs hatch and the new mites begin the cycle all over
again. The mites themselves are too small to be seen without magnification.
One of the great problems with scabies always has been misdiagnosis.
Scabies is spread by personal contact, e.g., by shaking hands
or sleeping together or by close contact with infected articles
such as clothing, bedding or towels. It is usually found where
people are crowded together or have frequent contact, and is most
common among school children, families, roommates, and sexual
partners. Scabies can be spread by the insect itself or by the
egg. Prompt action is required to rid a person of the insects
and eggs.
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Shingles
Neem
and Shingles
Topical applications of a neem-based cream should be applied to
the affected area at least three times a day or as often as needed
Herpes zoster, often known as shingles,
is characterized by a painful crop of blisters that erupts along
the path of a nerve. The rash commonly occurs on only one side
of the body and usually affects the skin on the chest, abdomen,
or face. In older people, discomfort may continue for months after
the rash has disappeared. This prolonged pain is called postherpetic
neuralgia
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Insect Repellent
Neem is an excellent insect repellent. Its extracts have been
approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency for use on
food crops. It is nontoxic to birds, animals, beneficial insects
or man and protects crops from over 200 of the most costly pests.
Some of the Insects
affected by Neem Products:
American
Cockroach: Reduces fecundity and molts, reduces number of
fertile eggs.
Flea: Retards growth, repels, inhibits feeding, disrupts
growth, eggs fail to hatch.
Flea beetle: Inhibits feeding.
Fire ant: Inhibits feeding, disrupts growth.
Green
leafhopper: Inhibits feeding.
Head Lice: Kills, very sensitive to neem oil - traditional
use in Asia.
Housefly: Inhibits feeding, disrupts molting, repels.
House cricket: Disrupts molting.
House mosquito: Toxic to larvae.
PLUS
MANY MORE...Read
Neem and Encephalitis
One of the most impressive accomplishments of Neem against
parasites is its effectiveness against encephalitis. In a paper
delivered to the American Chemical Society at its annual meeting
in March 1993 R.O. Larson describes how an outbreak of Japanese
encephalitis in India was eradicated. This was accomplished by
giving children two doses of crushed Neem leaves daily
READ
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from India,
