Leaving hurriedly for the market, I paused for an imperceptible moment to listen to my wife’s last-minute addition to the required items. “And don’t forget to bring some dried twigs for her”, she remarked, pointing towards our daughter, who recently had her ears pierced.

It has been a normal practice for me, like many others, to bring some dried neem branches for my female family members over the years. They would use it to help them with the reopening of their piercings without being apprehensive of a possible boil, infection, or localised inflammation. The knowledge of the aseptic, anti-inflammatory and other medicinal benefits of neem continues to transfer from one generation to another.

Scientifically known as Azadirachta indica, the neem tree is one of the most common trees from the tropical region that you can find in the Indian Subcontinent. Historically, it has also been one of the favourites to prepare remedies, especially in alternative medicine, including traditional Ayurvedic and herbal medicines.

Indeed, all parts of the neem tree, including its leaves, fruits, roots, seeds, oil, bark, stem and twigs are used either to treat or fend off unwanted diseases and medical conditions; not only in humans but in gardening as well.

Organic neem oil pesticides, neem cakes, and leaf compost prepared with its leaves are some of the very commonly used gardening commodities made with different parts of the neem tree. However, today’s article is primarily focused on the differences that the neem tree brings to the health of mankind.

Owing to its aseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, the neem tree has a special place in the fields of cosmetics and dermatology. But there’s so much more to this miraculous plant…

Neem has a very strong presence in the fields of skincare, cosmetics and dermatology. You may have come across a number of commercially available face creams, lotions, soaps, mud masks, shampoos and balms that claim to contain neem extracts. All of these products with added neem extracts are believed to not only help your skin get rid of unwanted acne, pimples and infections, but also to keep it clean and fresh. Most of these brands subliminally suggest that their products will also lighten the skin tone and add overall radiance and fairness by closing the skin’s pores.

A considerable number of herbal brands are also promoting their antiseptic adhesive bandages and sterile wound dressings with added neem extracts for minor cuts, scabs and superficial wounds inflicted on the outer skin. The added extracts are deemed to improve the antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-infective properties of the healing bandages.

In many skin-, scalp-, and dermis-related conditions, extracts from different parts of the neem tree have been frequently used for centuries, albeit without any scientific or empirical studies supporting their beliefs. Neem oil also provides a soothing and relaxing effect in certain skin conditions such as skin rash and dryness, due to its anti-inflammatory and redness-reducing astringent properties. It may also alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema due to its anti-fungal properties.

Neem is also used in dentistry for treating tooth decay, tooth plaque and gingivitis. Its soothing and cooling effects are also advertised by the talcum powder companies, who promote it to their buyers, to brave the scorching heat, sweat odour, unbearable rashes, and itchy redness, usually on the back and neck.

The extracts from neem leaves are also used in anti-lice preparations. Traditionally, the paste made with neem leaves was used for many other skin-related ailments, diseases and disorders, including warts, leprosy, smallpox, chicken pox, septic sores and infected burns.

Many believe that neem, when taken in large amounts, has strong contraceptive powers, helping to cause miscarriages and abortions, prevent pregnancy, and is helpful in birth control as well. Chemicals present in neem leaves are also believed to be spermicidal in nature, causing a reduction in sperm motility and eventually resulting in temporary infertility in males. As a home remedy, many use extracts of neem locally as an off-label indication, to avoid pregnancy.

Neem also plays its role in issues pertaining to the gastro-intestinal tract and upset stomachs. Many use it for healing ulcers in the digestive tract, issues related to intestinal worms, and to induce and improve appetite as well. Overdosage of neem extracts may cause loose stools, nausea and vomiting. Finally, in metabolic disorders, the neem extract also exhibits its healing powers in heart and blood vessel conditions, while it might also help reduce the overall blood sugar level as well.

The overall faith in the amazing healing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antipyretic (fever-reducing), antimalarial, antiviral and antioxidant properties of the extracts from different parts of the neem tree is such that people started using it as a Covid-19 remedy as well, although without any scientific evidence to support it.

When Elsa Kazi wondered in her “The Neem Tree” that if man could ever be like a neem tree, she simply put it in the following order: “Could man be as bold as thou and rise?

Above the earth, with the sheltering arm.

To save the suffering ones from harm, From sorrows, poverty and vice — through sacrifice.”

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, July 2nd, 2023