Neem For Protection From
Pests
Neem is a bitter, pungent and cooling plant that has many
well-documented medicinal uses. The neem plant is well known as
an antifungal agent, an anti-inflammatory plant, and a bitter
tonic that can help expel worms, a cleansing agent, a tonic
that can help prevent vomiting, and a plant that can help
reduce fevers.
The plant itself contains flavonoids, tannins, meliacins,
and triterpernoid bitters. Traditionally, the neem plant has
been thought of as a cooling remedy.
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, the plant has been
thought of as cooling remedy that particularly effective in
treating fevers. It has also been highly prized as an
insecticidal agent.
The wood of the neem plant is particularly prized for its
insecticidal properties. In many parts of the world, the neem
wood is used to make worm-resistant furniture. Now, in some
parts of Africa, neem is also being introduced into hedges to
help farmers protect their crops against insect
infestation.
Neem is rapidly becoming famous for its insecticidal agents.
Many modern studies have also shown that the neem plant may
have spermicidal properties. The seed oil from the neem plant
has traditionally been used as a contraceptive. Neem is also
sometimes known by another name: the bead tree. This is because
the hard nuts that grow on the neem tree were used in the past
to make rosary beads.
The leaves of the neem plant have been traditionally used to
make an infusion that is used for treating malaria and
parasitic worms. The leaves of the neem plant have also been
traditionally used in various manners.
The leaves are usually crushed and pulped to make ointments
and pastes that are used to treat eczema, ringworm and other
skin conditions or infections.
The leaves of the neem plant are also used to make household
insecticides.
An Interesting Herb Fact
Echinacea: Cure to the Common Cold?
Perhaps the most famous herbal remedies these days are made from the Echinacea flower. Native Americans have traditionally used Echinacea to treat colds, fevers, snakebites, and stubborn wounds. It is believed that the early settlers adopted the Echinacea plant early on as a popular home remedy to treat colds and influenza. The plant was a popular choice with the 19th century Eclectics. In recent years, Echinacea has grown immensely in popularity for its antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial...
The neem leaves are also used to prepare special treatments
that are sprayed on library books as a natural deterrent and
pest preventative. The seeds and the seed oil of the neem plant
have also been used to make several natural remedies. The oil
that is extracted from the neem seeds has traditionally been
used to concoct a treatment for leprosy.
The seeds of the neem plant are traditionally
crushed to make a paste that is used to treat hemorrhoids.
Recent research demonstrates that the neem seeds and seed oil
indeed contains many strongly antibacterial properties that are
used today in many commercial products, including commercial
hair lotions and, naturally, in insecticide sprays that are
used to deter locusts.
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An infusion of herbs is made by placing 1 to
2 teaspoons of dried herb or 2 to 4 fresh herbs
in a carrier oil like sweet almond or water and
then strained after about 10 minutes.
The water does not have to be heated by the
way.
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There are many applications for the neem plant.
It can be used a potent hair rinse that can get rid of lice and
nits. Simply mix 5-10 drops of neem oil into a cup of water and
rinse hair thoroughly. Another use is to make a poultice from
the neem leaves. Simply crush the leaves and make them into a
paste. Use this poultice to treat ringworm, eczema or other
skin infections or disorders. The neem seed oil can also be
easily added to lotion to treat ringworm or athlete's
foot.
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