Benefits of Neem Leaves

Neem is a very unique tree and neem leaves are the most complex leaves on the planet. The neem tree has over 130 different biologically active compounds, and the neem leaf is one of the most complex leaves you can find on the planet.

Neem Health Benefits – Helps Destroy Cancerous Cells

Neem has many incredible medicinal benefits, but one of the most important things is that it kills cancerous cells. Everyone has cancerous cells in their body, but they are normally disorganized. However, if you create certain situations in the body, they will get organized. As long as these cells are loafing around by themselves, it is not an issue. If they all gather in one place and hit it off, it becomes a problem. This is like a shift from petty crime to organized crime. It is a serious problem. If you consume neem every day, it keeps the number of cancerous cells in the body within a certain limit, so that they will not gang up against your system.

Benefits of Neem – Helps Destroy Harmful Bacteria

The world is full of bacteria. So is the body. There are more microorganisms living in you than you can imagine. Most of these bacteria are helpful. Without them, you would not be able to digest anything. In fact, you cannot exist without them. But some bacteria can cause you trouble. Your body constantly spends energy to manage these bacteria. If excess levels of bacteria occur, you will feel "down" because your defense mechanism has to spend too much energy to fight them. By using neem internally and externally, you can manage these bacteria in such a way that they will not overgrow, and your body will not have to spend too much energy in fighting them. If you consume a certain amount of neem on a daily basis, it will destroy the troublesome bacteria in the intestinal region, and your colon will generally remain clean and free of infection.

Also, if there is a slight smell in certain areas of the body, it means bacteria are a little more active there.

Benefits of Neem Leaves for Skin

Almost everyone has some minor skin issues but if you wash your body with neem, it becomes clean and radiant. If you rub your body with neem paste before having a bath, let it dry for some time, and then wash it off with water, it will act as a good antibacterial cleanser. Alternatively, you can soak a few neem leaves in water overnight and bathe with this water in the morning.

Yogic Benefits of Neem Leaves

Above all, neem generates heat in the body. This generation of heat is supportive for generating intense forms of energy within the system. Different qualities can be predominant in the body – two of these are sheeta and ushna, in traditional terms. The closest word for “sheeta” in English is “cold,” but that is not exactly what it is. If your system moves towards sheeta, the mucus levels in the body will go up. Excess mucus in the system is linked to a variety of conditions, from the common cold and sinusitis to many other issues.

For a Hatha Yogi, neem is particularly important because it keeps the body slightly oriented towards ushna.

For a Hatha Yogi, neem is particularly important because it keeps the body slightly oriented towards ushna. Ushna means you have some extra "fuel". For a sadhaka who explores unknown terrain, it is safer to carry an extra can of fuel, just in case your system needs that extra power. You want to keep the fire slightly higher than generally needed. If the body is in a condition of sheeta, you will not be capable of too much activity. But if you keep your body slightly on the ushna side, even if you travel, eat outside, or are exposed to whatever else, this extra fire in you will burn and handle these external influences. Neem is a big support in that direction.

Medicinal Use of Neem

According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, neem is the king of all medicinal herbs. Foundational Ayurvedic texts describe how neem treats skin disorders, hair problems, enhances appetite, boosts digestion, kindles the fire in the belly, improves breathing, helps manage diabetic conditions, aids healing of wounds and relieves nausea. Neem has been declared the “Tree of the 21st century” by the United Nations. The US National Academy of Science also recognized neem’s medicinal value in its 1992 report entitled “Neem: A tree for solving global problems.” Here are some key medicinal uses of neem:

Protection - Neem Leaves to Protect Skin

Traditionally, neem leaves are used to treat head lice, skin diseases, wounds or skin ulcers. External application of neem also finds merit as a mosquito repellant. Neem is probably the world’s oldest skin softener and has been used for this purpose for millennia. Neem leaves can be boiled in water and the water can be strained and stored for use as a skin ointment.

Cleansing - Neem Seeds for Cleansing

Neem seeds have cleansing properties and are used to get rid of intestinal worms. The seeds are pressed to extract the juice, which is then ingested. This neem seed juice is effective in destroying intestinal worms and other unwanted parasitic organisms that may be present in the intestinal tract.

Medicinal - Neem Bark for Healing Dental Diseases

The bark of the neem tree is well known for its ability to combat dental plaque and reduce the amount of bacteria present in the mouth. Traditionally, twigs from the neem tree are used as toothbrushes for this very reason. Neem tree bark also helps heal wounds in the oral cavity due to its antiseptic and astringent properties.