 |
 |
Articles / Articles / WellBeing+Healing / Your Health / |  |
|
|
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
   |
|
||
|
The Miraculous Neem |
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
||||
|
|
Articles / Articles / WellBeing+Healing / Your Health / | |
|
|
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
The Miraculous Neem |
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
||
The following article was authored by Klaus Ferlow, herbalist, innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, President, founder and co-owner with his two sons Peter and Harald, CH (chartered Herbalist) of Ferlow Botanicals, Div. of Ferlow Brothers Ltd, Vancouver, B.C. manufacturing/distributing organic toxin-free medicinal herbal and personal care products to professional health & wellness practitioners in Canada and parts of USA since 1993. The company was founded in 1975. www.ferlowbotanicals.com, email: klaus@ferlowbotanicals.com.
His educational articles have been published in dozens of Canadian Health Magazines, Newsletters, Newspapers and numerous websites around the world.
For thousands of years humans have sought to fortify their health and cure various ills with herbal remedies. The search for a true panacea or cure-all has been undertaken by virtually every civilization. While hundreds of substances have been tried and tested, few have withstood modern scientific scrutiny. Perhaps no other botanical better meets the true definition of a panacea than neem, a tropical evergreen native to India. Every part of this fascinating tree has been used, from ancient to modern times, to treat hundreds of different maladies. While it is still revered in India for its superior healing properties, recent investigation has dramatically increased worldwide interest in neem and many products are now manufactured using this miraculous herb.
While legendary herbs such as ginseng are far better known, comprehensive research has proven that neem has a far wider array of uses than any other herb. The first recorded use of neem is attributed to ancient Indian cultures. They added the plant to dozens of health and beauty aids some 4500 years ago. The centuries-old healing system known as Ayurvedic medicine has utilized these timeless neem formulations as mainstays of the Ayurvedic pharmacy. Medicinal attributes of neem were extolled in the oldest Sanskrit writings. Neem has been continuously referred to as the "village pharmacy" due to its incredible array of healing properties. Its usefulness as a natural non-toxic insecticide among other fascinating properties, further increases its phenomenal applications.
Some Westerners are familiar with neem as a culinary spice, while others have purchased neem-based toothpastes sold in health food stores. Now products containing neem such as creams, lotions, tinctures, extracts and capsules are becoming more common. While Western medical doctors have considered neem to be nothing more than "native folklore", many are now giving neem serious consideration as a potent and safe ingredient for use in diverse health treatments. The lack of side effects certainly enhances neem's appeal to doctors and consumers alike. Ongoing scientific research is validating what Ayurvedic practitioners have known for millennia; that neem is a dynamic and useful plant which can solve dozens of health problems, while enhancing overall well-being.
The bark, seeds, leaves, fruit, gum and oils of the neem tree contain pharmacological constituents which offer some impressive therapeutic qualities, including:
Therefore we can see that neem boosts the immune system on all levels while helping the body fight infection. It stimulates the production of T-cells to mount a head-on attack against infections. Unlike synthetic antibiotics, neem does not destroy beneficial bacteria and other micro-organisms needed to maintain optimum health. Some medical experts believe that the overuse of chemical antibiotics is contributing to the breakdown of human immune function. Neem offers a non-toxic alternative to powerful and sometimes-damaging prescription medicines.
Numerous active compounds have been isolated from the neem plant. Some of the most studied include nimbin, azadirachtin, nimbidiol, quercetin and nimbidin. Neem leaves contain fibre, carbohydrates and at least ten amino acid proteins. They also contain calcium and other nourishing minerals. Analysis also reveals the presence of carotenoids, nutritive compounds being hailed for their ability to ward off many types of cancer. Neem oil is especially high in important fatty acids, and contains all of these vital nutrients in significant quantities. Researchers believe the high fatty-acid content of the oil may be why neem is so effective for treating many skin ailments. Neem has a very powerful skin rejuvenating qualities and absorbs quickly into the skin.
The uses of neem to cure human ailments, boost immunity and fortify human health are almost endless. Neem is one of the most powerful known blood purifiers and detoxifiers. Hundreds of specific health maladies respond favorably to the proper application of neem. This does not include the countless uses of neem as a natural insect repellent or as a component in beauty aids. Some of the more common current uses for neem products are:
Skin Conditions: Neem has an almost magical effect on chronic skin conditions that often fail to respond with classical medical treatments. Acne, psoriasis, eczema, ringworm and even stubborn warts are among the conditions that clear up consistently when a high-quality neem product is utilized. Synthetic chemicals used to treat these conditions can produce side effects such as rashes, allergic reactions and redness. Studies are currently underway to try and understand the skin rejuvenating properties of neem.
Hair and Nails: When high-quality, wild-crafted neem is added to health and beauty preparations, it provides many benefits. Problem scalp conditions including dandruff, scaling and even hair loss respond to treatment with neem shampoo, creams, tinctures and capsules. Listless, damaged and overly oily hair appears to "come alive" when treated regularly with this most amazing plant. Nails, which have turned yellow or brittle due to the presence of yeast or fungi, often return to their normal condition when neem is applied.
Teeth and Gums: It is estimated that over 90% of the US adult population has some type of gum disease. Infection, tooth decay, bleeding and sore gums have been treated very successfully through the daily application of neem mouth rinse or neem leaf extract added to water. Some people report a total reversal of gum degeneration after using neem for only a few months.
Fungi, Parasites and Viruses: Neem has been successfully proven under stringent laboratory conditions to destroy harmful fungi, parasites and viruses. Even though its exact action on these "body predators" is not yet known, it does an excellent job of destroying them. Unlike its chemical counterparts, neem does not kill beneficial intestinal flora nor produce the side effects. Athlete's foot, thrush, candida infestations and herpes viruses are easily cleared up and prevented when neem is used. Neem has proven successful in treating stomach ulcers. Its antihistamine and antibacterial compounds appear to reduce inflammation and destroy the bacteria now believed responsible for the common ailment.
Major Health Problems: Professionally-administered neem solutions are being studied for their beneficial effects on AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other medical conditions.
AIDS: The immune-modulating polysaccharide compounds found in neem are being researched as a way to stop this most debilitating illness. The polysaccharides may be responsible for increasing antibody production, while other elements in neem appear to stimulate immune function by enhancing cellular-mediated response. This dual action helps the body ward off the numerous infections so commonplace with AIDS. Neem leaf extract and capsules are typically utilized when treating this condition.
Cancer: Neem has been tested on many types of cancers, including skin cancers, using neem-based creams against lymphocytic cancer and using the herb internally. The polysaccharides and limonoids have reduced cancerous tumors in a number of scientific studies.
Diabetes: Neem has been found to reduce insulin requirements for diabetics by up to 50%, without altering blood glucose levels. This success has resulted in the Indian government approving the sale of neem capsules and tablets through pharmacies and clinics. These preparations are essentially pure, powdered neem leaves.
Heart Disease: Neem has been scientifically tested for its ability to reduce blood pressure, blood clots, heart irregularities and high cholesterol levels. The antihistamine effects of nimbidin found in neem leaves cause blood vessels to dilate and may be why neem helps reduce elevated blood pressure. A recent study showed that neem lowered high cholesterol levels when either neem leaf extract or capsules were taken for a month.
Chronic Fatigue: This is suspected of being caused by both viral and fungal infections. Neem attacks both, and reportedly helps fight this incredibly debilitating syndrome.
Minor skin abrasions: Injuries such as sprains and bruises are easily treated with neem lotion, cream or leaf extract applied locally. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial attributes of neem are delightfully soothing.
Natural, non-toxic insect repellant: Neem repels all types of annoying pests without being toxic to pets or humans. Commercial repellants are now suspected of being potent carcinogens by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Sunburns: prevents sunburns from UV rays.
My own experience with neem has been nothing short of miraculous. When I moved away at the age of seventeen from my family home in a small community to a larger city with a population of one-half million, I needed to adapt to a changing lifestyle and diet. Together with the stress of being an apprentice in sales and marketing, I quickly developed severe psoriasis on my scalp and both elbows. It was treated for over forty years without success and I almost gave up. In early 1994, I came across a television show called "The Nature of Things" with David Suzuki which featured a program that described the healing properties of the neem tree. This was the impetus to my healing as I began to develop natural herbal creams, without harsh chemicals, using neem from a supplier I found in France. For almost nine weeks, my wife helped me to massage the cream on my scalp and by the tenth week my scalp was totally cleared of the skin condition I suffered for forty years. Even the psoriasis on my elbows cleared up within merely three weeks of using a neem oil. This launched my passion for neem. With millions of people suffering from skin problems, it became my mission to introduce them to this herb.
Of all the plants that have proven useful to us throughout the ages, few have offered as much value and versatility as the unique neem tree. With growing research to support its healing and beneficial properties, neem is finally getting the attention it deserves. This miraculous healing herb is truly an ancient cure for our modern world.
"Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of whom they know nothing."
Francois Marie Voltaire (French writer 1694-1778)
Video "What's In A Neem?", CBC The Nature of Things, Dr. David Suzuki spring 1994
NEEM - A Tree For Solving Global Problems, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 1992
NEEM - The Ultimate Herb, By John Cornick
NEEM - India's Miraculous Healing Plant, by Ellen Norten
Also make sure to read Klaus Ferlow's own personal story about the healing power for psoriasis of the Miraculous Neem Tree.
This information is offered for its educational value only and should not be used in the diagnose, treatment, or prevention of disease. Any attempt to diagnose and treat illness should come under the direction of your health care practitioner.
neem, herb, natural medicine, health, balance, herbal care, natural approach
|
|
|
|
 |
|