Neem, also known as azadirachta indica, is a tree that is found in several locations in Southeast Asia and parts of West Africa. Several different parts of the tree are used in a wide range of consumer goods, including shampoos, soaps, and herbal beauty products. The neem leaf has a long history of use in Ayurvedic healing, and is used singly and along with other herbs to treat a wide range of ailments.
There are many claims for the healing properties of the neem leaf. Ground into a powder, the leaf can be mixed with other herbal supplements and used as a means of cleansing the system. There are a number of anecdotal testaments regarding the ability of the neem leaf to cleanse the blood of excessive amounts of cholesterol. At the same time, the action of the leaf also regulates the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, making it helpful for people suffering with diabetes. The blood vessels are also said to receive nourishment from the ground leaves when used in tea, balancing the flow of blood to and from the heart.
Many of the claims for the neem leaf can be traced back to this cleansing action. Healthier blood vessels leads to more efficient blood flow to the extremities, which aid in the healing of wounds. The improved blood flow to the brain aids in combating anxiety and other emotional disorders that result from stress or severe emotional traumas, restoring a proper balance to the production of neurotransmitters. Arthritis, ulcers, and various types of digestive orders are also thought to be treatable with the use of neem leaf products.
Along with use in alternative healing, the neem leaf can also be used to create a strong insect repellent that is safe to administer directly to the skin. A time-honored claim is that a solution made from the leaves will nourish the skin even while driving away insects. This also makes the leaf an ideal ingredient in herbal skin lotions as well as other beauty products like shampoo and hair conditioner.
While the neem leaf has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, tests in Western medical traditions have not yet confirmed many of the claims made for this herbal combination. For this reason, there is not a lot of confirmed evidence to support neem benefits or identify any common side effects. As research continues, making use of the leaf as a dietary supplement or herbal supplement should be discussed with a physician, especially if the individual is already taking some type of medication for a specific ailment.