The Phenomenal Saga of...

The Phenomenal Saga of The Mother Nature - The Neem Tree

How many times have you heard the mentions of Neem on the internet, television, in magazines, journals or just people advising it for every other ailment? Uncountable, huh! Whether it’s the body sugar reaching new heights, bodyweight soaring day by day, a wound that refuses to heal or the stubborn pimples on your face, neem is the answer to any question that needs medical attention and it is not what the masses believe. The wonders of neem are backed up by science too, so what exactly makes this plant almost magical? Let’s unravel the mystery for one and all so the benefits of this natural marvel do not get ignored as just the old wives’ tale!

Nomenclature and Origin

Let us introduce this natural wonder first! The scientific name of neem is Azadirachta Indica and it also goes by the name of nim or margosa. It is a well-known member of the Mahogany family. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and finds an honorary mention in the ancient medical narrative, Ayurveda.

Word Portrait of Neem

The tree is blessed with lush green leaves and wide, spreading branches. It can attain a height of around 30 meters and bears dense crowns along with thick furrowed bark. This evergreen medicinal wonder showcases compound leaves with toothed leaflets. The Neem tree is quite stubborn and could bear weather abuse and maintenance negligence easily. Unless it's severe drought, a neem tree flourishes and thrives through every season a year has to offer.

Anatomy

The tree could bear small white flowers exuding sweet fragrance and carrying either male or bisexual traits. They are arranged in drooping axillary panicles and a single cluster could hold up to 250-300 flowers at a time. The fruit that it bears is one of the lesser-known facts about the Neem tree. It is shaped like olive and has thin skin with bitter-sweet pulp. Generally, neem is propagated through seeds but it could also grow from cuttings and root suckers.

Uses

The potential uses of the neem could not be listed in a single article. It took several books of Ayurveda to explain the significance of this natural wonder but some of the noticeable and effective implementations are listed below. One of the beautiful aspects of the neem tree is that almost every part could be put to some use or the other. No wonder, it has gained the respect of the masses since aeons.

1. Skin Issue

Ayurveda recommends neem to treat multiple skin issues. The detoxifying properties of the neem can keep our skin aglow in any given season.

2. Hair Growth

If you need to promote hair growth and enhanced the strength, neem is your go-to solution. Owing to its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, neem acts as an excellent dandruff remover and making hair follicles stronger in the process.

3. Better immunity System

A daily minimum dosage of neem could make your immune system even stronger. Neem tea is known to cure toxic fever. It might taste awful but it casts its charm like magic.

4. Anti-aging Effect

Neem is best known for its anti-aging properties and is rich in antioxidants thereby protecting the skin from harmful UV rays, pollution, and other environmental factors.

5. Fight Infections

The strong antifungal and anti-bacterial traits are found quite effective in fighting infection. The leaves of the tree could use to treat warts and chickenpox.

6. Reduce Sugar Level

It is found quite effective in reducing the effect of diabetes on the body and keep the sugar level in control. It can actually improve the lifestyle by notches.