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.

#1 Anti-cancer benefits of neem

Consuming neem every day keeps the number of cancerous cells within a certain limit

Neem has many incredible medicinal benefits, but one of the most important things is, it kills cancerous cells. Everyone has cancerous cells in their body, but normally, they are 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.

#2 Anti-bacterial benefits of neem

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.

By using neem internally and externally, you can manage bacteria so that they will not overgrow

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

#3 Benefits of neem for yogic sadhana

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.

Neem generates heat in the body. This is supportive for generating intense forms of energy

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.

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 a woman is planning to conceive, she should not consume neem because there will be excess heat

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. Once they begin to have neem on a daily basis, some women 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.

1. Viral disease:

Neem leaves have often been used in India to treat viral diseases. Neem leaves extract, absorbs and eliminates virus. As a preventive measure, you can prepare a neem paste and apply on the affected area. It is very useful for treating warts, chicken pox, and small pox. This is because neem absorbs the virus and protects from entering the unaffected areas. Neem extracts, toxic to herpes virus accelerate healing. Tea prepared with leaves of neem and the application of neem ointment on cold sores relieves herpes symptoms.
Due to its anti-viral activity, neem leaves are boiled and are used for bathing especially for those who are suffering from skin ailments. This provides respite to conditions such as eczema, cold sores and warts. It soothes inflammation by soothing itching and irritation. Neem leaves also helps to remove intestinal parasites and restores healthy functioning of the intestine.

2. Cardiac Care:

Neem leaves are known to be an effective blood cleanser and drinking neem infused boiled water controls high blood sugar. Neem leaves extract is effective in purifying blood, removing toxins defending against inflictions and damages from free radicals in the body. Neem leaves helps to dilate blood vessels improving blood circulation and decreases elevated heart rates. It relaxes erratic heart beats and controls high blood pressure.

3. Fungal disease:

Neem is also effective against fungal diseases that affect human body. These include fungus that causes lung and bronchi infection and mucous membranes. Neem leaves reduce the symptoms of fungal infections and oral thrush. Neem is also effective against fungus that infects hair, skin and nails that includes ringworm that occurs in hands and feet. Consuming leaves also suppresses cancer cells.

4. Malaria:

Neem is used to treat malaria fevers. One of the neem components gedunin is very effective for treating malaria. Mosquitoes exposed to odours of crushed neem leaves result in suppression of egg laying. Consuming neem leaves is an acclaimed treatment of malaria.

5. Cancer:
Neem bark leaves contain Polysaccharides and liomnoids which are beneficial for alleviating cancer and tumor cells.

6. Arthritis:

Certain properties of neem leaf seed or barks naturally cure arthritis and reduce pain and swelling in joints. A massage with neem oil is effective in relieving muscle aches and joint paint and helps alleviate rheumatism, osteoarthritis and lower back pain.

7. Cures Poison:

Neem leaves are also effective in treating poisons and insects bites. This is due to anti-clotting agents that reside in neem leaf extract. Neem leaves are also used in treatment of ulcers and inflammation as they have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity.

 

8. Moisturizes Skin:

The leaves moisturize the skin keeping it soft and supple. They are effective for lightening scars and pigmentation caused by acne and scabies. If you have pimples on your face, apply the neem leaf decoction. This can even be used to treat minor wounds. To cure any kind of skin infection, mix turmeric with neem paste and apply it on your body. Do this regularly for 3 months.

9. Cures Acne:

Boil a cup of neem leaves in water till the leaves are soft and discolored and the water turns green. Strain and store in a bottle. Add some water in your regular bathing water to get rid of acne, infection and body odour. A neem face pack grinding a few neem leaves with some water work best to treat the pimple and acne problems.

10. Skin Toning:

Neem leaves for skin can also be used as a toner. Just dip a cotton ball in boiled neem water and wipe your face with it overnight. This will clear acne, scars, pigmentation and black heads. This potion can also be used as a hair rinse to treat dandruff and excessive hair fall.
You can also prepare a face pack using neem leaves. Boil neem leaves with small segments of orange peel in a little water. Add little yoghurt, honey and milk to form a smooth paste. Apply this to your face and wash of when it dries. This will clear acne and break outs, white heads and even reduce the appearance of pores.

C. Benefits Of Neem Leaves In Water:

Neem leaves boiled in water provide numerous health benefits. Its application provides gentle and very effective relief from ailments.

11. Neem leaves for Hair – Scalp and hair issues:

Add a cup of fresh neem leaves to boiling water, and use this water to rinse your hair after shampooing your hair. The anti-bacterial property of neem helps to treat dry scalp, dandruff and hair fall issues.

12. For injuries:

A burn injury can be healed faster with the usage of neem water. The application of neem water on the burnt surface helps to recover the skin faster and also protects against allergy and infection on the infected area.

13. Chicken pox:

Post chicken pox treatment, a patient is always advised to take a bath with neem water to soothe the patient’s skin and prevent additional spreading of the infection.

14. Eyewash:

Boil fresh neem leaves in water for about ten minutes and let it cool completely. Use this water as an eye wash during conjunctivitis and irritation of the eyes.

15. To treat sore throat and tired foot:

Gargling with neem water provides relief to sore throat and soaking the feet in warm neem water provides relief to the foot ache.

Other uses:

16. Apply a paste made of neem leaves boiled in water and honey on your hair. This helps to tame the frizz.
17. Neem leaves are considered safe to be taken internally on a regular basis. Neem leaves relieve the symptoms associated with viral infections including common cold, herpes, influenza and chicken pox. Eating neem leaves lose reduce fever associated with viral infection.
18. Extracts of neem leaves and seeds produce pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and fever reducing compounds that can help in healing cuts, wounds, ear aches, sprains and headaches.
So, these are the uses of neem leaves for hair, skin and health. Are there any more benefits which are not mentioned? You can share them through comments.