Neem Leaves for human medicinal Uses
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Dermatological disorders: Neem is useful in treating psoriasis, herpes,
eczema, pruritis, and acne vulgaris, Cleaning the affected parts with boiled
Neem leaf water heals these disorders. In addition, administering 1g of
powdered Neem leaves with water 3 times a day helps to treat herpes
faster. For treating eczema of the face and scalp, a decoction of Neem
leaves is applied on the face and scalp and also used for washing and
bathing purposes. In addition, Neem oil (5-10 drops) is taken orally with 3g
of powdered Neem leaves. Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of
skin commonly seen at puberty. Application of Neem leaf paste on pimples
heals the skin readily. Neem is said to treat skin diseases because of its
depurative, stomachic, antiperiodic, antiseptic, and anti-pruritic properties.
Both external applications and internal use of Neem is doubly effective
against most skin disorders. Face pack made from powdered Neem
leaves is good for improving the complexion and getting rid of pimples and
blemishes. Soaps and shampoos made from Neem oil are good for
cleaning the body and hair. Recently, Neem capsules have been
developed, which can cure acne.
Inflammatory conditions: Steam fomentation of Neem bark or leaves helps in subsiding inflammation
and oedema of affected body parts.
Infected wounds and glands: Infected would are washed with an infusion of Neem leaves, followed by
application of Neem leaf paste on the wound. Bleeding stops due to astringent action of Neem. To
heal infected or enlarged gland, Neem leaf paste is applied twice a day for one month.
Abscesses and ulcers: It is recommended to wash abscesses and ulcers with an infusion of Neem
leaves, followed by application of Neem leaf paste twice a day for one month. Bruised leaves applied
with lemon juice also heal ulcers.
Snake bite and scorpion sting: Application of paste of Neem bark, leaves or seed on affected part
brings relief to burning sensation due to Neem’s chelating, anti-poisonous, and depuritive properties.
A woman, bitten on her right foot by highly poisonous mamba at Mbita, near Lake Victoria, in western
Kenya, was saved from sure death by bandaging Neem leaf poultice on the bitten foot and oral
administration of water containing crushed Neem leaves at 4-hourly intervals for a day.
Gout: External application of Neem leaf paste is effective in relieving gout pain.
Malaria and filaria: Powdered Neem leaves (1-3g) given thrice daily with warm water is effective in
treating malaria. Alternatively, Neem bark powder (10g) is boiled in a cup of water until reduced to 1/4
cup and administered thrice daily. Daily intake of 1 teaspoonful of powdered Neem leaves along with
twice daily intake of 2 spoonful of decoction of Neem leaves, root, and bark is recommended for
treatment of filariasis.
Smallpox, chicken pox, and measles: It has been an age-old practice in India to hang Neem branches near the front door of the house to
prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as smallpox, chickenpox, or measles. If someone in the house already infected, then he or
she is made to sleep on bad of Neem leaves. Also, Neem leaves are burned, the smoke from which is said to disinfect the house and
prevent the spread of the infection. Application of Neem oil on affected body parts or application of Neem leaf paste is recommended and
water boiled with Neem leaves should be used for bathing.
Infestinal worms: Appetiser, stomachic, antihelminthic, depurative, and antipuritic properties of Neem
help in getting rid of intestinal worms, such as hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, etc. Intake of
powdered Neem leaves (1g) with jaggery for 15-d helps in deworming.
Piles and fistula: Application of ointment made from Neem fruit is good for treatment of piles, while a wick soaked in Neem oil is inserted in
the tract to heal fistula.
Digestive disorders: The acrid, astringent, stomachic action of Neem helps in the cure of digestive disorders. Administration of Neem leaf
juice (1 teaspoonful) with sugar, given thrice daily, helps cure diarrhoea and dysentery and also regulates bowel movement. Ingestion of
2-5 Neem leaflets with vegetable preparations for a few days relieves hyperacidity, giddiness, nausea, heartburn, mouth sores, etc. Also,
intake of decoction of powdered Neem bark cures hyperacidity and nausea. Neem leaf powder (2-3g), mixed with 2 to 4 ground black
pepper, taken in thrice daily acts as a laxative and demulcent.
Burning sensation: Intake of 1 teaspoonful of Neem leaf juice with sugar twice a day reduces the burning sensation of the body.
Hepatitis: Intake of 2 teaspoonful of Neem leaf juice with honey accelerates the process of cure.
Spelleenomegaly: Intake of 2 teaspoonful of Neem leaf juice with honey cures the enlargement of spleen.
Respiratory disorders: Neem bark decoction is used as an antitussive in dry cough. Intake of powdered Neem leaves (1g) with honey
twice a day helps in suppressing cough. Neem oil (5-10drops) given with 2 tablespoonful of sugar daily for 15 d helps in treatment of
tropical eosinophilia.
Neem alone or in combination with other ingredients is used in treating
the following diseases.
Urinary disorders: Neem is effective in treating albuminaria, phosphaturia, and burning micturition. Intake of Neem leaf decoction (3g
leaves boiled in 4 cups of water until reduced to 2 cups) twice a day helps. In case of burning micturition, intake of 1 teaspoonful of Neem
leaf juice thrice a day is highly recommended.
Gynaecological disorders: Daily intake of 10g of Neem leaf juice with 1 tablespoonful of sugar early in the morning helps cure leucorrhoea,
dysmenorrhoea, and related disorders.
Diabetes: One tablespoonful of Neem leaf juice taken daily early morning for 3 months in helpful in diabetes. Alternatively, one can chew 10
Neem leaflets daily or ingest leaf powder. During treatment, diet control is also advised for quick results.
Hypertension: One tablespoonful of Neem leaf juice taken twice daily is useful in treating hypertension
Cancer: Chewing 10-12 Neem leaflets daily early and ingesting with warm water is recommended as a supportive treatment to cancer
patients.
Allergies: Neem is useful in all kinds of allergies, whether drug allergy or allergy due to smell, smoke, dust, eatables, etc. Eight to 10
leaflets are eaten early morning, which helps in purifying blood and controlling allergic reactions.
Vaginal disorders: Neem having urinary astringent and antipruetic properties gives immediate relief in most common vaginal disorders. A
pessary made from Neem fruits macerated with Neem leaf juice is kept in the vagina to relieve the burning sensation and heal cervical and
vaginal inflammation. In cases of uteral prolapse, the use of Neem decoction is recommended.
For easy delivery: During labour, it is recommended to apply a paste of Neem roots on lower abdomen. Intake of 1g of powdered Neem
gum with honey butter relieves tiredness during labour.
HIV/AIDS: Certain polysaccharides isolated from the inner bark of Neem trunk have been found to enhance human immunity against HIV,
which causes AIDS. Although clinical trials are not conducted, oral administration of powdered inner Neem bark and turmeric, curcuma
longa , powder (10:1 proportion) to patients in 150mg doses thrice a day for one month suppressed AIDS-related symptoms, such as skin
rash, diarrhoea, pneumonia, weight loss, etc. among communities living around the shores of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya, where the
AIDS incidence was very high.