Associated with Goddesses Neemari Devi, Shitala Devi, and Mariamman Devi, Neem or Indian Lilac is a common plant in most households. The various names associated with it are Antelaea Azadirachta, Arishta, Bead Tree, Holy Tree, Huile de Neem, Indian Lilac, Indian Neem, Lilas des Indes, Lilas de Perse, Margosa, Margousier, Margousier à Feuilles de Frêne, Margousier d’Inde, Melia Azadirachta, Neem Tree, Melia Azadirachta, Nim, Nimb, Nimba, Persian Lilac and Pride of China.

The reason we are telling you all these names is that no matter which country or region you belong to, you must plant it in your home and benefit from its rich and medicinal properties.

This tree’s bark, leaves, seeds, root, flowers, and fruit can also be used to make medicines and rid us of almost all ailments and diseases.

Bark – The Bark of the Neem tree is used to treat Malaria, Stomach and intestinal ulcers, skin diseases, pain, and fever.

Flowers – Flowers are used to reduce bile, control phlegm, and treat intestinal worms.

Fruit – The fruit is used for hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, urinary tract disorders, bloody nose, phlegm, eye disorders, diabetes, wounds, and leprosy.

Twigs – The twigs are used for cough, asthma, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, low sperm levels, urinary disorders, and diabetes. Some people also use the paste of Neem Twigs in their toothpaste to strengthen their teeth and gums and avoid cavity. It is also observed that people who applied Neem leaf extracts to their teeth for six weeks daily ended up being plaque-free. The reason is that Neem Leaf Extract kills the bacteria that cause plaque formation in the mouth.

Seed – The seed of Neem and the oil extracted from Neem Seeds are used for birth control and to naturally abort an unexpected pregnancy. Studies showed that a single administration of 1 ml of neem oil by an intrauterine insemination catheter blocked fertility for 7 to 12 months and the effect was reversible because later all the subjects became pregnant once the period was over and gave birth to healthy babies.

Besides these, the stems, root barks, and fruits are also used as tonics and astringents.

Leaves – The paste of Neem leaves are also used directly on the skin to treat acne and skin ulcers. Further, it is used to treat head lice – one can wash their hair with a shampoo containing Neem paste. Personal experiments showed that when people directly plucked leaves from the Neem tree, washed them and chewed on them before swallowing them, it led to clearer skin, fat loss, and a calmer mind. Neem tends to have cooling properties and also cleanses the blood and the colon, thus leading to these results.

Neem oil when applied on the skin acts as a mosquito repellant and when mixed with coconut oil and rubbed on body parts it also serves as an insecticide. The reason is that the mosquitos are repelled by its smell.

There are two types of Neem Trees. While all the above benefits are of the Bitter Neem, there is also Sweet Neem, that is used while cooking food. A few leaves of the Sweet Neem leaves, also known as Kadi or Curry Leaves eliminates bad bacteria, improves eyesight, reduces stress, and relieve one from morning sickness and nausea.