Aloe Vera is one of the most versatile plants on earth, and the ultimate mineral balance is

accomplished by the perfect blend that nature placed in the plants. Aloe vera, also known
as the medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in Northern
Africa, the Canary islands and Cape Verde. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is
widely distributed in Africa, India and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as
being used in herbal medicine. When Dr. Terry Pulse proved that Aloe Vera healing juice
contains the important substance known as "Acemannan", he gave the world the scientific
evident.

Aloe Vera has a long chain of polysaccharides that will feed the cells by detoxifying and
building a strong immune system. That in return greatly improves the defense of the cells.
The improved defense system protects the cells from virus and bacteria, which could
other-wise penetrate the membrane and cause damage. Aloe Vera is known to release
energy, oxygen, and detoxifies the affected membranes. Through this type of energy
release, even cases of leukemia have received improvement through the stimulation of
the bone marrow.

Many scientific studies of the use of aloe vera have been undertaken. Dr. Daniels a
German doctor researched the effect that Aloe Vera healing juice has on the leukocytes.
With this he proved that the cell walls are improved in their resistant factor so that the
most aggressive viruses can not penetrate. There is evidence that Aloe vera extracts may
be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing, diabetes and elevated blood lipids
in humans. These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds
such as polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones and lectins. Aloe vera juice is used for
consumption and relief of digestive issues such as heartburn and irritable bowel
syndrome.

The neem plant is a fast growing and long living tree, native to Burma in India.

From there the neem tree has spread and is now grown all over the world.

In India the neem medicinal plant is highly regarded because of its many uses and benefits.

However, the rest of the world is still unfamiliar with it. Unfortunately.

Neem is a fascinating and versatile plant and using neem has many benefits.

All parts of the neem tree are useful, and on this page I tell you how and why.

Using The Different Parts Of The Neem PlantThe most widely used parts of the neem tree are
the seed kernels, the leaves and the bark:
Neem SeedsThe fruit of the neem plant looks a lot like an olive. The flesh surrounds a seed
that contains one or several kernels.

Neem oil, the most popular neem plant product, is made by pressing the neem seed
kernels.

The kernels can contain as much as 50% oil.

In the western world the seed oil is mostly known and valued as a safe and effective
insecticide. Neem oil is very popular with organic gardeners.

It is also used as a natural insect repellent, a safe and more efficient alternative to the harmful
DEET.

Neem seed oil is also an ingredient in many skin care products. In India most of the neem oil
is used in neem soap, but there are also neem shampoos, lotions, creams etc.

Besides that the oil is valued for its huge range of medicinal uses. The seed kernels contain
the highest concentration of active substances in the neem plant. Pressing them for oil is one
way to get at them, but you can also make various extracts from the seeds.

A warning: the seed oil can be toxic and should not be taken internally!

You can read more about neem oil and its uses and benefits here.

Neem LeavesThe leaves of the neem plant are the most versatile and most easily
available resource. They do contain the same active ingredients as the seeds, just in much
lower concentration.

Leaves are available all year round, since the neem plant is evergreen. (Seeds are obviously
only available once a year). It's easy to make your own neem home remedies from leaves.

Leaf pastes and extracts are used in skin care products, hair oils, in neem
toothpastes and mouth washs, and they also have lots of medicinal uses.

Many herbalists recommend chewing the leaves, taking capsules of dried leaf, or drinking the
bitter tea. The leaves cleanse the blood, help the gastrointestinal system (ulcers!), support the
liver, and strengthen the immune system, to name just some of the most popular benefits.
Although the leaves of the neem tree have been used this way for thousands of years in India,
I recommend you are careful when taking them internally. Neem is a very powerful herb. It's
best to ask a qualified herbalist first, and to not take it internally over long periods.

However, the topical use of neem leaf extracts and leaf paste is safe. Skin care and the
treatment of skin disorders is where the neem plant really shines.

• It is extremely effective in eliminating bacterial and fungal infections or

parasites,
• its antiviral activity can treat warts and cold sores,
• it soothes inflammation and reduces redness,
• it moisturizes the skin and keeps it supple,
• it can even lighten scars and pigmentation.
• Examples of such uses are scabies and acne treatment.

Neem Bark thebark of the neem tree is not used as much as the seeds or leaves, for
obvious reasons. There is not as much of it, it does not regenerate as quickly, and it is slightly
more difficult to use. Because of its dry and hard nature the ingredients are more difficult to
extract.

However, in one medicinal field the bark is the recommended plant part to use. That
field is dental care. The bark contains a higher concentration of active ingredients than the
leaves, and is especially high in ingredients with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action.
Neem bark is highly effective when treating gingivitis (gum disease).

Uses Of Other Neem Plant Parts hre are some uses of the neem tree that receive less
attention:

Neem TwigsChewing young, supple branches, and then using them as a toothbrush, prevents
cavities and gum disease. Indian villagers have used this method for centuries. (Though in
modern India neem toothpaste, mouthwashs, and bark powders are the preferred method.)

Neem Cake

Neem cake is a strange name for the pulp that is left after extracting neem seed oil from
kernels. It is indeed edible, at least for animals, and is sometimes used as fodder. However,
the most common and recommended use is as a soil amendment and fertilizer.

Neem FlowersThe flowers of the neem plant have a lovely, sweet, honey-like smell. It is
quite intense, noticeable from a distance, but never overpowering. Bees love neem flowers
and neem honey is popular. The flower oil is also used in aromatherapy and has a calming and
restorative effect.

Other Interesting Uses Of The Neem PlantThe wood of the neem plant has become an
important source of firewood in some regions of the African continent. The neem plant is
particularly valuable as a source of firewood because if its rapid growth (it can be harvested
within five years), and because it grows so well with very little water in the poorest of soils.

Personally I consider that a very important use of the neem plant. It could have a huge impact
as we try to halt the spread of the desert.

All parts of the neem plant are also very beneficial when used as mulch, as a compost
ingredient or as a soil amendment. Neem can be used to reclaim marginal soils. It can bring
acid soils back to neutral, the deep tap root can break through hard layers, mine the subsoil
for nutrients and bring them to the surface. Growing neem trees improves the water holding
capacity and nutrient level of soils.

Again, this is a very promising use of the neem plant in my eyes. It could make a huge
difference, not only in third world countries, but also on our abused agricultural soils.
However, there is not as much money to be made as there is in the natural health industry, so
unfortunately you don't hear much about it...

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Benefit and uses of Wood-apple.

• Hundred gm of fruit pulp contains 31 gm of carbohydrate and two gm of protein,

which adds up to nearly 140 calories.
• The wood-apple is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A; it also contains
significant quantities of the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin, and small amounts of
Vitamin C.
• The tannin in wood-apple (bael) has an astringent effect that once led to its use as a
general tonic and as a traditional cure for dysentery, diarrhoea, liver ailments, chronic
cough and indigestion.
• The fruit is much used in a liver and cardiac tonic, and, when unripe, as an astringent
means of halting diarrhea and dysentery and effective treatment for hiccough, sore
throat and diseases of the gums.

Wood-apple leaves, bark, roots and fruit pulp are all used against snakebite.

• Wood-apple fruit is used for kidney complaints.

Diabetes
The tender leaves of the mango tree are considered useful in diabetes. An infusion is prepared from fresh
leaves by soaking them overnight in water and squeezing them well in water before filtering it in the
morning. This infused water should be taken every morning to control early diabetes. As an alternative to
infusion. Leaves can be dried in the shade, powdered and preserved. Half a teaspoonful of this powder
should be taken twice a day, in the morning and evening.

Diarrhea
The mango seeds are valuable in diarrhea. The seeds should be collected during the mango season, dried
in the shade and powdered and stored for use as medicine. It should be given in doses of about one and a
half gram to two grams with or without honey. Juice of fresh flowers when taken with one or two
teaspoonful of curds, is also valuable in diarrhea.

Female Disorders
Mango seeds are considered useful in certain disorders connected with women’s reproductive organs. 'A
teaspoonful, of the paste of the decorticated kernel of mango is applied inside the vagina to cure
leucorrhoea, Vaginitis, and relaxed walls due to multiple pregnancies. Its use half an hour before conjugal
union gives a virgin feeling and acts as a safe contraceptive. This has been tried many times with gratifying
results.

Juice of the fresh mango bark is also valuable in heavy bleeding during menstruation, i.e. menorrhagia,
leucorrhoea, mucus and pus discharges from the uterus and bleeding or haemorrhages from uterus. The
juice is given with the addition of white of an egg or some mucilage-a kind of vegetable glue obtained from
plant and a little opium in these diseases. In the alternative, a mixture of 10 ml. of a fluidextract of the
bark and 120 ml. of water is given in doses of a teaspoonful every hour or two.

Throat gargle
The mango-bark is very efficacious in the treatment of diphtheria and other throat diseases. Its fluid is
locally applied and also used as a gargle. The gargle is prepared by mixing 10 ml. of the fluidextract with
125 ml. of water.

Scorpion/Bee Bite
The juice, which oozes out at the time of plucking the fruit from the tree gives immediate relief to pain
when applied to a scorpion bite or the sting of a bee. The juice can be collected and kept in a bottle.

Precautions
Unripe mangoes should not be eaten in, excess. Their excessive intake may cause throat irritation,
indigestion, dysentery and abdominal colic. One should, therefore, not consume more than one or two
green mangoes daily. Water should not be drunk immediately after eating the green mango because it
coagulates the sap and makes it more irritant. Sap or milky juice that comes out on breaking the stalk of
the green mango is irritant and astringent. Eating green mangoes without draining the sap may cause
mouth, throat and gastro intestinal irritations. The sap should, therefore be fully squeezed out or the skin
should be peeled before using raw mango.

Excessive use of mangoes produces ailments like constipation, eye affections, blood impurities and
seasonal fever. Children who use the fruit in excess generally suffer from skin disease in its season.

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