Neem

1. Neem, a tree native to India, is a vital ingredient in Ayurveda. Regarded as a ‘one tree pharmacy’, the Neem tree has several medicinal uses and forms an integral part of home remedies for the hair and skin.

2. Neem leaf has antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it effective in treating dandruff.

3. It also relieves dryness and itching, strengthens hair and promotes hair growth.

4. Traditionally, neem paste has been used to condition the hair and scalp.

5. It also soothes irritation, prevents dryness and flaking.

6. Neem is mentioned in most Ayurvedic formulations for the treatment of skin disorders because of its detoxifying properties.

7. The growth of acne-causing bacteria such as propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and staphylococcus epidermidis is also inhibited by neem.

8. The role of neem in acne is further supported by studies which have shown that it exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing P. acnes-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-8.

9. Neem oil and neem leaves are excellent skin care ingredients. The oil relieves dry skin and soothes itchiness, redness and irritation.

10. It also improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections such as acne, boils and ulcers.

11. Its antimicrobial properties help heal wounds without causing any infections or septic conditions.

12. For acne, neem tackles bacteria from the root and prevents the recurrence of pimples and blemishes.

13. It is especially beneficial for skin disorders like eczema and minor skin infections. Neem leaves also eliminate acne-causing bacteria.

14. It is also a gastro protective element and effective in healing ulcers.

15. It contains high level of antioxidants that help protect skin from environmental damage and from aging.

16. Neem oil contains fatty acid and vitamin E that gets absorbed easily into the skin, it helps rejuvenate skin cells and restore elasticity.

17. It helps maintain a glowing skin and balance skin tone.

18. The high fatty-acid content in neem oil helps prevent and treat scars from acne.

19. Neem leaves are also excellent exfoliants; it tightens pores and removes impurities when used as a mask.

20. It is an excellent healer of skin fungal infections.

http://curejoy.com/content/ => Free Expert Advice on Natural Cure, Fitness & Yoga

#1 Anti-cancer benefits of neem

Neem has many incredible benefits, but one of the most important things is, it kills cancerous cells. Every one of our bodies has cancerous cells, but normally, they are disorganized. If you create certain situations in the body, they will get organized. The shift from petty crime to organized crime is a serious problem. As long as they 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. If you consume neem every day, it keeps the number of cancerous cells in the body within a certain percentage, so that they will not gang up against the system.

#2 Anti-bacterial benefits of neem

The world is full of bacteria. The body is full of bacteria. There are more microorganisms living in you than you can imagine. Without them, you cannot digest anything – in fact, you cannot exist. Most bacteria are helpful, but some of them can cause you trouble. Your body constantly spends energy to manage 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 manage the bacteria in such a way that they will not overgrow and you will not have to spend the body’s energy on 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. Almost everybody has some minor skin issues. If you rub your body with neem paste before 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 have bath with this water in the morning. If you wash your body with neem, it will become clean and radiant.

#3 Benefits of neem for yogic sadhana

Above all, neem generates heat in the body. Generation of heat in the body 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 a 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. Ushna means you are a little gassed up.For a sadhaka who explores unknown terrain, it is safer to carry an extra can of gas, just in case your system needs that extra power. You want to keep the fire slightly higher than generally needed. When the body is in a condition of sheeta, you are not capable of too much activity. If you keep your body slightly on the ushna side, even if you travel, eat outside, or whatever else you may be exposed to, this extra fire in you will burn and handle these external influences. Neem is a big support in that direction.

Things to keep in mind

One thing to keep in mind is, when consumed in excess, neem will kill sperm cells. In the first four to five months of pregnancy, when the fetus is developing, pregnant women should not have neem. Neem does not cause any damage to the ovaries but it causes excess heat. When a woman has just conceived and there is too much heat in the body, she may lose the fetus. If a woman is planning to conceive, she should not consume neem because there will be excess heat, and the system will treat the baby like a foreign body.

If heat increases, certain changes will happen in the system – women will notice this more than men. In case this affects the normal process of the body, we bring the heat down to some extent, but we generally do not want to give up neem because for people who do sadhana, some amount of heat in the system is needed. After starting to have neem on a daily basis, some of the ladies may find that their menstrual cycles become shorter. In that case, just drink more water. If having more water alone is not sufficient to reduce the heat, add a piece of lemon or the juice of half a lemon to the water. If that is still not enough, have a glass of ash gourd juice, which is very cooling. Another option is castor oil. If you put some of it into your navel, at your anahata, at the pit of the throat, and behind the ears, it will instantly cool the system.