 OR 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 5000 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:
- Antiviral: capable of destroying viruses
- Antifungal: able to destroy fungi
- Antimicrobial: able to inhibit or destroy the growth of disease-causing organisms
- Antibacterial: able to destroys or inhibit the growth of bacteria
- Antipyretic: able to lower body temperature or prevent or alleviate fever
- Anti-inflammatory: able to reduce inflammation
- Anti-tumor: able to reduce the risk of tumor growth
- Analgesic: able to relieve pain
- Immune stimulation
- Alterative: able to cure or restore health
- Anthelmintic: capable of expelling or destroying parasitic worms
- Anti-emetic: able to prevent or stop nausea or vomiting
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 personal story:
My own experience with neem as been nothing short of miraculous. Growing up in Northern Germany "country style," I quickly developed a love for the bounties of MOTHER NATURE, especially berries, herbs, flowers, and vegetables. One of my favorite herbs was the "stinking rose", garlic, which I considered a wonder herb. And also the pure elderberry juice with honey and lemon, heated up for fever, enhancing the healing power of the body by boosting the immune system. At a age of seventeen I moved away form my family home in a small village to start apprenticeship in sales, marketing, promotion in a big city situated in a heavy industrial area with huge steel mill, mining operations etc. Due to the stress of a completely different diet and lifestyle in an environment of widespread pollution and high level of noise, I soon developed severe PSORIASIS on my scalp and elbows, at times flaring up to a point when I even had difficulties combing my hair due to the very thick build-up on my scalp.
I received ongoing treatments from allopathic doctors who did not have a clue what the cause of the problem was, and all these treatments in Germany in Canada cost me a lot of money and were unsuccessful. After over forty years I finally gave up and was told by the doctors that I would have to live with it for the rest of my life!
Then, early in 1994, I had the good fortune of tuning into the CBC television series "The Nature of Things" with Dr. David Suzuki, which featured a program describing the miraculous healing power of the NEEM TREE from India. This was the impetus to my healing, as I began with the help of a professional chemist, to develop a Neem Tree cream without harsh chemicals, using Neem Tree extract from the leaves of the tree. The extract came from a supplier in France, since at that time nobody in North America was able to supply such an extract!
For almost nine weeks my wife massaged the cream onto my scalp, and finally by the tenth week my scalp was totally clear of the skin condition from which I had suffered for so long! In the meantime I added also cold pressed Neem Tree oil, derived from the fruit that looks like an olive to the cream which further enhanced the efficacy and healing power of the cream.
Even the psoriasis on my elbows disappeared within merely three weeks — now I have to use only one drop of Neem Tree oil per elbow each week which prevents recurring of the psoriasis. I accepted these results as a miracle and it launched my passion for Ayurvedic Neem Tree herbal products introducing them as the first company in early 1994 to the Canadian market! In the meantime, our company, FERLOW BOTANICALS developed additional Neem Tree products such as shampoo, soap, tincture, toothpaste and we are also carrying the Neem Tree oil in our program. Millions of people worldwide are suffering from acne, eczema, dandruff, psoriasis, rosecea and other skin problems were Neem could be the answer. New Neem Tree herbal products will be available in the near future.
It is my passion to share the information about the healing power of the Neem Tree with everybody, in India they call it "Village Pharmacy", a tree for solving global problems.
To this day I remain free of psoriasis on my scalp and elbows by just using the Neem Tree shampoo and oil regularly. This simple treatment is NOT a cure, but it alleviates the problem to a great extent, and each person is in charge of their own body and health… the natural way!
Of all the plants that have provided proof to us of their healing power throughout the ages, few have offered as much value and versatility as the genuine, unique NEEM TREE from India. This miraculous healing herb is truly ancient and yet effective for a modern world. |
Klaus Ferlow is a herbalist, innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, founder, President and co-owner of