The Neem tree is native to India and other regions of Southeast Asia and its scientific name is Azadirachta indica. While this oil has many different names in many different languages it’s called Mwarobaini in Swahili, which means “the tree of the 40″ as it’s said to be able to cure over 40 known diseases. In India the tree is known a “Devine” tree that can “Heal All” diseases.
All parts of the tree, including the leaves, branches and flowers can be used for medicinal purposes. What’s great about these trees is that they’re able to grow in areas that receive very little rain fall and are able to grow in arid or semi-arid regions. Neem trees grow really well in areas where the soil has been harmed due to over-farming. In India the tree has been used for thousands of years in ancient medicine to treat skin infections, parasites and fevers.
What are the uses for Neem oil?
In the home Neem has proven to be indispensable to millions of families in both treating skin conditions and in repelling insects. The oil is used as a natural tick and mosquito repelant for both humans and pets, including cats and dogs. Neem has a number of anti-bacterial properties and is also used to treat a number of skin problems including acne, scabies, Chicken Pox, eczema and Psoriasis and has been used to keep fleas off of household pets. The oil is also an active ingredient in many soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions and skin sprays.
In terms of benefits to human health it has been proven to aid in wound healing, help the human body detoxify itself, aid in the immune, circulatory, digestive, respiratory and urinary systems, help balance diabetics’ blood sugar levels, help arthritic suffers, and help to treat sufferers of Malaria and other bacterial and viral infections. Neem branches are chewed on to promote dental health by fighting against gum disease and cavities.
Many toothpaste companies also include the oil in their list of ingredients. The real beauty of it is that while it repels well over 90% of insects it has no harmful effects on human beings or other animals. Indeed in both human and animal health it has proven to be effective against fungal infections, parasites and bacteria, and has been proven to help in the battle against Malaria and Chagas disease.
It has also been used to treat skin conditions and has been used as a mild sedative. One use of the oil is to put leaves between clothes to prevent moths. It has also long been used as a natural insect repellent.
How can it be used as a pesticide?
Neem is extremely important to farmers as an environmentally-friendly organic pesticide in both developing and now developed areas. As a fertilizer it is more effective than cattle manure. It is also added to cattle feed to provide further nutritional benefits to farm animals. In grain storage facilities it is mixed with grain to protect it from insect infestations.
As a pesticide, it is excellent because it helps to prevent pest insects including from eating farmers’ produce while not killing or having negative effects on non-pest insects or other living organisms including humans and farm animals in the eco system. The Neem oil used as an insecticide is derived from the tree’s seads and causes the farmers’ produce to taste bitter to pesty insects.
Buy Neem online
If you’re going to buy these products online you need to distinguish whether you’re buying the it for the purpose of an insecticide or if you’re buying it for cosmetic reasons. If you’re buying it to be used to keep insects away from your vegetables make sure that you use it in controlled or diluted amounts in the home due to its often reported bitter smell.
If you’re buying Neem-based lotions, cosmetics or mosquito repellents don’t worry about the smell as it will have been mixed with other ingredients. If you’re buying Neem oil be sure to check out the degree of dilution by the seller. Most people prefer to buy pure neem if possible. The seller should indicate the oils pureness in her or his advertisement.
For thousands of years Neem has been a major part of Ayurveda medicine, which is an ancient form of medicine originating in the Indian sub-continent. Here you can learn all about this holistic approach of using essential oils to treating diseases and illnesses.
Other essential oils
In addition to neem oil there are many other 100% pure and natural essential oils that can use to treat a number of health issues. One such oil worth considering is called tea tree oil. Used in Australia for thousands of years by the aborigines this oil has a long list of uses and benefits including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-swelling properties. Found in a number of soaps, shampoos and acne skin creams this essential oil has proven to be an excellent home remedy for many people.
