In our quest for healthier living, we often turn to synthetic drugs and supplements for support, treatment, and enhancements.
From a western perspective, using powerful pharmaceutical-grade drugs is the only reliable way to maintain health or treat disease.
We often shun traditional forms of medicine such as herbal treatments with exotic origins.
The irony is, some of the most potent drugs in western medicine now draw their influence and even their formulations from ancient forms of medicine.
One such medical tradition, stemming from ancient India, is ayurvedic medicine.
This form of medicinal practice incorporates many herbs and spices that you might be more familiar with as ingredients in some exotic dishes.
Neem is one of the many herbs used in ayurvedic medicine, in this article, we’re going to touch on some of its benefits and the many ways it can be useful to you and your wellbeing.
Before we get into that, let’s take a deeper look at exactly what neem is.
The Origins Of Neem
Neem is a tree whose bark and seeds are used to form herbal extracts for the treatment of many different ailments.
As many ayurvedic compounds go, neem is indigenous to India. It goes by several other names including bead tree, holy tree, and Indian Lilac.
Traditionally, neem has been used to treat conditions such as gut parasites, leprosy, eye disorders, cardiovascular disease, and liver disorders to name a few.
Neem has been placed under the lens of western medicine and is now gaining more mainstream popularity as scientific evidence reaches close to the core of what it really does for your health.
We’ve touched ou just a few of the benefits of neem in order to help you gain some insight on the power of this plant.
5 Health Benefits Of Neem
Oral Hygiene
Neem has a special benefit with regards to oral health.
It has been shown that regular chewing of neem notably reduces the prevalence of dental plaque.
Dental plaque build-up can lead to many complications, including bad breath (halitosis), gum disease (gingivitis) and damage to the teeth.
Neems many active compounds help reduce plaque build-up while also repelling the bacteria that cause it.
Some special kinds of toothpaste even contain neem, taking advantage of this awesome benefit.
Treats Intestinal Ulcers
Neem has been shown to help provide relief and treatment for gastric ulcers and ulcers in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastric ulcers occur when the mucous membrane the lines intestinal walls are somehow compromised either due to disease, trauma or a system imbalance, causing the powerful corrosive agents in the gut to burn at unprotected intestinal tissue.
These sores can cause severe distress and can even be deadly owing to the potential for internal bleeding.
Neem seems to be able to provide relief and treatment for such ulcers.
Bug Repellant
Nobody likes to get bitten by bugs. Its annoying and can be downright disruptive.
Even if they don’t necessarily bite you, bugs like mosquitoes can be a nuisance simply because of the noise they make when they buzz around at night while you’re trying to sleep.
Neem steps to the rescue, acting as a useful insect repellent, especially against mosquitoes.
Applied topically, it can help provide a comforting sleep free from annoying buzzing noises.
This property doesn’t just help you get better sleep, it can also be used as an important tool in the fight against deadly mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and zika.
Potent Antioxidant
Neem has many active compounds that provide an antioxidant effect.
Through this, the impact of oxidative stress is greatly limited allowing your system to function more efficiently metabolically.
Oxidative stress also speeds up the signs and symptoms of aging.
This happens because your cells die off more rapidly. The antioxidant benefits of neem help limit this occurrence, essentially making neem an anti-aging treatment.
Improves Eye Health
The ancient practice has always valued neem as a great way to treat the eyes and improve visual function.
While the medical research on this one is still in its infancy, the numerous qualities of neem from a metabolism-boosting, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory level means that it’s definitely not bad for your eyes.
The antimicrobial properties of neem might also help treat some mild eye conditions.
Conclusion
Neem seems to be an amazing herb with numerous health benefits.
While research is still ongoing into exactly what makes this one good for you, there seems to be the right kind of evidence to support its efficacy.
Whatever the case, don’t take it from us, consult a doctor or health care professional if you want to embark on any sort of treatment, even if it’s a natural herb.
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