Neem Leaves

Benefits of Neem leaves:

Neem leaf, also known as ‘neem ke patte‘ in Hindi is an essential ingredient in many Ayurveda medicines. Neem leaves are known to contain nimbin, nimbinen, nimbolide, nimandial, ninbinene and other beneficial compounds that have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. Gedunin and nimbidol found in the leaves of neem are powerful antifungal agents that destroy fungi which cause athlete foot, ringworm and nail fungus.

A. Health Benefits Of Neem Leaves:


Neem leaves stimulates the immune system, improves liver functionality, detoxifies the blood and promotes a healthy respiratory and digestive system.  It is famous as a malaria treatment and works for diabetes well. Neem leaves enhance biological functions by strengthening the immune 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.


B. Benefits Of Neem Leaves For Skin:


Neem leaves are easy to obtain and can be used to aid beauty and skin care.

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.

[ Read: Home Remedies To Remove Black heads ]

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.

Limonoids are phytochemicals, abundant in citrus fruit and other plants of the families Rutaceae and Meliaceae. Currently, limonoids are under investigation for possible effects in humans, although no proof of effect exists to date. Certain limonoids are insecticides such as azadirachtin from the neem tree.

CURRY LEAVES OR SWEET NEEM

 The leaves of the curry tree are called curry leaves or Sweet Neem leaves.

Kadi patta or curry leaves is a staple in Indian dishes.

Commonly used as seasoning, this leaf adds a special flavour to every dish. But there is more to the humble curry leaf than simply flavour. Packed with carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, irons and vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, curry leaves help your heart function better, fights infections and can enliven your hair and skin with vitality. 

Here are few health benefits of kadi patta.

Helps keep anaemia at bay.
Curry leaves are a rich source of iron and folic acid. Folic acid is mainly responsible for carrying and helping the body absorb iron, and since kadi patta is a rich source of both the compounds it is your one-stop natural remedy to beat anaemia.

Fights diabetes

Not only does kadi patta help lower the blood sugar levels, but also keeps in check for a few days after the administration of curry leaves. Curry leaves help your blood sugar levels by affecting the insulin activity of the body and reduces ones blood sugar levels. Also the type and amount of fiber contained within the leaves play a significant role in lowering blood sugar levels. So, if you suffer from diabetes, kadi patta is the best natural method to keeping your blood sugar levels in check.

Improves digestion

Curry leaves is known to help improve digestion and alter the way your body absorbs fat, thereby helping you lose weight. Since weight gain is one of the leading causes of diabetes, kadi patta treats the problem right at the root.

Lowers cholesterol
Many research shows that curry leaves have properties that can help in lowering one's blood cholesterol levels. Packed with antioxidants, curry leaves prevent the oxidation of cholesterol that forms LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). This in turn helps in increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) and protects your body from conditions like heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Prevents greying of hair

Kadi patta has always been known to help in preventing greying of the hair. It is also very effective in treating damaged hair, adding bounce to limp hair, strengthening the shaft of thin hair, hair fall and treats dandruff. The best part about this benefit is that you can either choose to eat the curry leaves to help with your hair woes or apply it to your scalp as a remedy.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CURRY LEAVES OR SWEET NEEM LEAVES:

~ Digestive Disorders.

~ Kidneys Disorders.

~ Treatment of morning sickness, nausea and vomiting.

~ The juice of the curry tree root can be taken to relieve pain associated with the kidneys.

~ Preventing premature graying of hair.

~ Stimulate hair growth.

~ Treat burns, bruises and skin eruption.

~ Prevent Diabetes.

~ External application in stings and bites of poisonous creatures. 

CURRY LEAVES: DETOX WATER

BEETROOT CURRY LEAVES DETOX WATER

 

PREP TIME

10 mins

COOK TIME

6 hours

TOTAL TIME

6 hours 10 mins

A healthy, detox drink with beetroot, curry leaves, lemon and ginger.

Author: Priya Shiva

Recipe type: Drinks

Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS

Beetroot- 1 (peeled and sliced)

Curry leaves - ½ cup

Lemon - 1 (thinly sliced)

Ginger - 2 tbsp (grated)

Water - 8 glasses

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Boil 2 glasses of water with curry leaves in it. Let it cool down completely.

2. Now add this curry leaves water along with sliced beetroots, lemon, ginger and remaining glasses of water in a glass jar. Mix it well.

3. Close the jar and leave it overnight or for minimum 6 hours.

4. Strain the infused water and enjoy.

NOTES

Refrigerate if you stay in a warm place.

I prepared beetroot curry leaves detox water for this week’s detox and hydration. The plan is to prepare this drink every day for the whole week and drink to flush out the toxins. Beetroots are extremely good for health as raw beetroots contain folic acid, iron and many other essential nutrients. They help in natural detox as it contains antioxidants. Did you know that eating raw beetroots can help boosting stamina? So, be sure to include this vegetable in your salads. Curry leaves are very helpful to fights infections. You can simply brew some curry leaves water and drink every day for healthier skin and hair. I include curry leaves regularly in my diet in various forms. I include them in chutney, curry, soup etc.

Your health is more important than anything else. So, make sure you eat healthy, exercise and spend time for yourself. I’m not a health freak but I do believe in healthy living. so, sharing the recipe for beetroot curry leaves detox water. Try it out and share the feedback.

Herbal remedies to treat premature grey hair.

1. Curry Leaves:

It is a very good herb that helps in curing the premature greying of hair. It can be used in various ways.

~ Curry Plant : The main reason for hair greying is due to a deficiency of iron in one's diet. And curry leaves are the rich source of iron and thus it settle down the problem of iron deficiency and helps in the prevention of premature graying of hair. 

~ Curry leaf oil : You can also use curry leaf oil on your hair. Just take a few leaves and crush them (use pounder) to form a paste.

Dry the paste in the sun until it becomes hard. Take coconut oil and dried curry paste and boil. Remain it for at least half an hour. Use this oil twice or thrice a week. 

The buttermilk drink is filled with various nutrients like calcium and hence proves to be very nutritive. Hence consuming this coolant daily greatly helps in preventing us from getting ill. Buttermilk refers to a number of dairy drinks. Originally, buttermilk was the liquid left behind after churning butter out of cream. This type of buttermilk is known as traditional buttermilk.