Benefits of Neem - Azadirachta indica

Neem, scientifically referred to as Azadirachta indica, is a medicinal tree. It offers plenty of usages in several shapes and sizes. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, and anti-infertility properties. All parts of Neem including seeds, leaves, flowers and bark have medicinal properties. It is native to Indian continent.

Typically, it is known as the ¡¥village pharmacy¡¦ because of its holistic power to protect against several health complications. Let us explore some more details about it. Since ancient ages, this tree is well-respected the history of natural medicine. It can treat various diseases and disorders ranging from malaria to bad teeth. Almost all parts of this tree contain medicinal benefits. Its seeds, leaves and barks have compounds known as limonoids with proven medicinal properties.

Ecology

Neem is drought resistance. It can tolerate almost any length of high temperature. Typically this tree is grown in sub-arid to sub-humid areas, where the annual rainfall varies between 400mm to 1200mm. This tree thrives in any types of soil, however, best grown in well drained deep sandy soil. This tree cannot stay alive below 4„aC temperatures. At this temperature, leaf shedding is confirmed in addition to premature death.

Neem tree has various usages in a variety of sectors. Let us focus exploring some of them.

Medicinal Usages

The twig of this tree is largely used as a tooth brush in different regions of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is an oldest tradition used effectively in dental care. The oil extracted from the seeds and kernel of the Neem tree is used in the manufacturing of cosmetics such as soaps, shampoos, balms, and creams. It has the potentiality to use as a great carbon dioxide sink. Traditionally it has been recognized as a great resource for anti-desertification property. It offers great solution to acne and provides good support for skin elasticity. Ayurveda and traditional herbal medicine suggest chicken pox patients to sleep on neem leaves to get rid off the problem. The neem gum prepared from bark is typically used as a bulking agent and for the production of medicinal foods for diabetic patients.

Horticulture Usages

This tree offers a great resource for environment-friendly biopesticides. Limonoids found in the leaves, seeds and bark are used as an effective insect-growth controlling substance. The uniqueness lies with its ability to alter the life-processing behavior of the insect in such a fashion that the insect becomes unable to feed, breed or undergo through metamorphosis process. 

Disease Control and Pest Control

The extract of leaves, seeds as well as barks is effective in treating scabies, a transmissible ectoparasite skin infection. It is a great substitute for permethrin. Scabies is not at all resistant to the biochemical properties of neem, so in prolonged complication of scabies neem is found to be effective. Human head lice can be cured with the external application of neem leave juice over the scalp. In Ayurveda, it is respected as ¡¥Sarbaroganibarini¡¦, which means ¡¥cure for all diseases¡¦.

According to the report produced by The National Institute of Health, its extract has the potentiality to be used as an AIDS preventive. However, not sufficient researches have been conducted so far.

It has anti-allergic properties. So it is able to inhibit allergic reactions if applied either externally or internally. Possibly in recent decades, it can be used as an effective male birth control pill. This is the for the first time in human history the production of men birth pill without affecting libido or sperm production has become possible within the span of controlled study.

It has the ability to enhance the immune system. Also its immune polysaccharides property makes it a future cancer cure. Apart from that, it decreases the blood sugar level and reduces the possible usage of insulin to 30%-50%, hence it is effective for diabetic patient. The extracts are found to be beneficial for other diseases as well such as herpes, heart diseases, hepatitis, fungal infection, malaria, psoriasis, and ulcer.

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5 Herbs that helps losing weight

Although we’re inclined to scour the Web in search of the best diets and meal plans, the truth is, some of the tools to weight-loss success are already on your spice rack! Here are five ingredients that not only add flavor to your favorite dishes but can help in your battle against the bulge.

1. Cinnamon
A 2003 study published in Diabetes Care showed that as little as one teaspoon of cinnamon per day can boost the body’s weight-loss ability by reducing blood sugar and promoting healthier processing of carbohydrates. It also lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) by seven to 27% and total cholesterol by 12 to 26%. Plus, cinnamon has been shown to prevent the metabolic syndrome commonly seen in pre-diabetics. But before you go on piling the spice by spoonful, note that cinnamon contains a chemical called coumarin, which can lead to liver damage if consumed in very large amounts.

Cinnamon and Honey formula for weight loss:

This should be prepared at night before going to bed.

1. Use 1 part cinnamon to 2 parts raw honey. 1/2 tsp cinnamon to 1 tsp honey is recommended but can use more or less as long as in the ratio of 1 to 2. --- so 1 tsp cinnamon to 2 tsp raw honey is ok too as an example.

2. Boil 1 cup...that is 8 oz of water.

3. Pour water over cinnamon and cover and let it steep for 1/2 hour..(30 minutes)

4. Add honey now that it has cooled. Never add honey when it is hot as the heat will destroy the enzymes and other nutrients in the raw honey.

5. Drink 1/2 of this directly before going to bed. The other 1/2 should be covered and refrigerated.

6. In the morning drink the other half that you refirgerated...but do not re-heat it...drink it cold or at room temp only.

Do not add anything else to this recipe. No lemon, no lime, no vinegar. It is not necessary to drink it more time in a day...it is only effective on an empty stomach and primarily at night.

This works for most people. Inches are lost before any measurement on the scales. This program will cause significant inches lost...but you will reach a plateau and may not lose anymore. This is because the cinnamon and honey cause a cleansing effect in the digestive tract and cleans out parasites and other fungus and bacteria that slow down the digestion...causing a toxic build up. (Lowers pH) Once this is all cleaned out then you will most likely have the weight loss slow down.

Other side effects from a cleansing can occur because of toxins being released...if this occurs, cut back on how much you use or take a break.

Additionally people report increased energy, more sex drive, and feeling happier/mood enhancer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month ... which we know today as the honeymoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. Cayenne
The main ingredient in spicy cayenne—capsaicin, which is also found in other hot peppers—has long been studied for its fat-burning abilities and thermogenic properties (the stimulating of the central nervous system to produce heat in the body, leading to an increase in calorie burning). In fact, Nicholas Perricone, M.D., cites several of these studies in his wildly popular The Perricone Weight-Loss Diet and concludes that capsaicin acts as an appetite suppressant. Many think that cayenne pepper promotes weight loss because it’s simply difficult to overindulge in spicy food. However, later studies performed by the Journal of Obesity also found that the spice increases fat oxidation, “ramps up energy expenditure, and stimulates activity by the sympathetic nervous system”—all which help the body to shed excess weight. Not a fan of fiery cuisine? Not to worry! Research has found that cayenne’s ability to reduce appetite is equally effective whether ingested as food or in capsule form.

Nutrition Value

3. Black Pepper
Among the dozens of health benefits of this common household ingredient is its ability to improve digestion and promote the absorption of nutrients in tissues all over the body. Plus, its main component—piperine (which gives pepper its pungent taste)—boosts fat metabolism by as much as 8% for several hours after ingesting it. If you want your pepper to pack the most punch, use freshly ground pepper, which has the most concentrated amounts of piperine.

4. Mustard Seed
Like the other hot ingredients on this list, spicy mustard helps boost metabolism and allows you to burn fat more quickly, thanks in part to its thermogenic properties. Scientists at England’s Oxford Polytechnic Institute recently found that eating just one teaspoon of hot mustard can “boost metabolism 20 to 25% for several hours after eating, resulting in an additional burn of about 45 calories if a 700-calorie meal is consumed.”

mustard seed, yellow

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	1,964 kJ (469 kcal)
Carbohydrates	34.94 g
- Sugars	6.89 g
- Dietary fiber	14.7 g
Fat	28.76 g
- saturated	1.46 g
- monounsaturated	19.83 g
- polyunsaturated	5.39 g
Protein	24.94 g
Water	6.86 g
Vitamin A equiv.	3 μg (0%)
Thiamine (Vit. B1)	0.543 mg (42%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2)	0.381 mg (25%)
Niacin (Vit. B3)	7.890 mg (53%)
Vitamin B6	0.43 mg (33%)
Folate (Vit. B9)	76 μg (19%)
Vitamin B12	0 μg (0%)
Vitamin C	3 mg (5%)
Vitamin E	2.89 mg (19%)
Vitamin K	5.4 μg (5%)
Calcium	521 mg (52%)
Iron	9.98 mg (80%)
Magnesium	298 mg (81%)
Phosphorus	841 mg (120%)
Potassium	682 mg (15%)
Sodium	5 mg (0%)
Zinc	5.7 mg (57%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendationsfor adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database

5. Ginger
Long used for its medicinal properties, ginger is also an effective diuretic (a substance that increases the elimination of urine). It improves gastric mobility (i.e. it pushes food and waste through the digestive system) and hinders the absorption of cholesterol. Although according to the Mayo Clinic, more study is needed, preliminary evidence suggests that this versatile spice helps to increase metabolism.

What the Science Says

• Studies suggest that the short-term use of ginger can safely relieve pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
• Studies are mixed on whether ginger is effective for nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, or surgery.
• It is unclear whether ginger is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint and muscle pain.
• NCCAM-funded investigators have looked at whether ginger interacts with drugs, such as those used to suppress the immune system, and ginger's effects on reducing nausea and vomiting. Investigators are also studying:
  • The general safety and effectiveness of ginger's use for health purposes, as well as its active components and effects on inflammation.
  • The effects of ginger dietary supplements on joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis.

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