Natural Cures Not Medicine: neem

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Showing posts with label neem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neem. Show all posts

Handmade Healing Cream for Eczema and Psoriasis

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Skin conditions of any sort can be uncomfortable, but Eczema and Psoriasis are probably two of the most common and irritating. Both are genetic auto-immune skin conditions that result in flaky, inflamed skin that can itch terribly and leave you feeling helpless and even embarrassed. If you or someone close to you suffers from one of them then you'll know just how much it can affect a person's life. Outbreaks are often red and swollen and can appear on any part of your body, from your hands to your knees to your face. While affected skin can often appear unsightly, it's the pain and tenderness that can affect people's lives for the worse.
Image: lovelygreens.com

There is no cure for Eczema or Psoriasis and treatment is limited to simply controlling the severity of the outbreaks and soothing the symptoms. Keeping the skin clean and moisturised is the usual remedy however some of the prescribed medications and products can be a bit suspect. One of these is the use of mineral oil and petroleum jelly on the skin. Both are by-products of petroleum (gas and petrol) production and while they do help the skin stay moist they clog the pores and prevent air from reaching your skin. The other treatment which is more specifically for Psoriasis involves sitting in a bath with essence of coal tar which is literally the by-product coal being turned into coke. A close family member of mine has Psoriasis and I can still remember the smell of these baths - it's similar to the smell of tarmac being laid.

However there are natural non-petroleum based options for treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis and at least one which can effectively clear up breakouts: Neem oil. Extracted from the fruits and seeds of the Neem tree, Neem oil is a thick red or green oil which is not only highly moisturising but is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and provides external pain relief. Though its smell can be quite strong its medicinal qualities are impressive and it's relatively safe to use as a self-prescribed treatment. In fact the Indian culture has been using Neem oil for thousands of years for anything from skin diseases and inflammation to fevers and insecticide.

There are Neem oil skin creams already on the market and if you're interested in simply buying one then you'll have no problem locating a few varieties. However, making a topical cream yourself is easy, relatively inexpensive and safe. It also allows you to control just how much Neem oil you want in the product: though Neem is a natural oil, it is strong in both effect and scent.

Neem Cream
Makes one 110g pot

10g* /0.35oz* Neem oil (raw and cold-pressed)
40g /1.41oz Shea Butter
30g /1.06oz Cocoa Butter
20g /0.70oz Castor oil
10g /0.35oz Sweet Almond oil (alternative: Grapeseed oil)**
5 drops of Tea Tree essential oil (optional)
5 drops of Lavender essential oil (optional)

* 10g of Neem oil will result in quite a strong smelling and acting lotion. If you'd prefer, you can reduce the amount by half to 5g to mask the smell and create a gentler cream. It's also possible to add more than 10g of Neem oil to this recipe but please test your cream on a small part of your infected skin before using it all over. Neem can be quite strong and if it's placed on the skin undiluted it's possible that it can cause contact dermatitis.

** For a more liquidy cream add more liquid oil in this recipe

1. Take all the ingredients except for the essential oils and place them into a double-boiler. You can also place them in a metal or glass bowl which can be floated in a pan of hot water. The point of the double boiler (also known as a Bain-marie) is that you want to heat the oils slowly, evenly, and through an indirect heat source.

2. Melt the oils over a medium heat until they are completely liquid. Stir well and place the bowl in the freezer for five minutes.

3. Take the bowl out and beat it with a whisk, adding the essential oils in at this time if you've opted to have them in. These fragrances will help mask the scent of the Neem and are both ingredients that will help inflamed skin. Lavender essential oil is extremely soothing and anti-inflammatory and Tea Tree essential oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial as well as having a soothing medicinal scent.

4. Make sure to scrape any oil that's hardened along the edge of the bowl back down into the liquid oils then place the bowl back in the freezer for another five minutes - then take it out and beat it again. Repeat this process until the oils appear opaque and creamy then spoon it into a container which is fitted with a lid. You can use the cream after it's set for about a day.

Source: lovelygreens.com

7 Remedies To Keep Skin Clear

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Growing up, particularly in our teens, we are constantly told that eating fruits and vegetables will keep our skin clear. But there is more to it than just eating them and some of them can be used as a great natural alternative to medicine. 

Modern lifestyles often have a tremendous impact on our skin.

 We eat food and drink beverages that clog up our arteries, cause slow digestion and damage our cells. It is a well known fact that whatever damage we do to our bodies on the inside, will show on the outside.  Too often we run to the local pharmacy or doctor to treat problems such as acne, blemishes, pigmentation and infections. The treatments are often chemical concoctions that treat the symptoms and not the cause. 
Listed below are some natural treatments that provide a refreshing alternative.

  1. Cucumbers contain vitamin k which is great for reducing puffiness to eyes and vitamin c which can aid in promoting collagen growth. 
  2. Turmeric is high in antioxidants which can be great for lightening dark blemishes such as acne scars and age/sun spots.
  3. Papaya is another rich antioxidant. it can also be used to remove dead skin cells when applied to the skin topically.
  4. Lemon is great for removing dead skin cells and also acts as a moisturizer. It has antioxidant properties and can be eaten, added to salad dressings or applied direct to the skin.
  5. Coconut water has anti-fungal properties, high in vitamin c and also in vitamin b which can aid in the repair of skin tissue. It can be taken as a drink or simply washing your face or body in it will help to improve your skin.
  6. Mint, in particular peppermint is a great way to treat skin infections and is soothing relief for insect bites and stings.. It can also be used to help eradicate scabies mites but there is very little research to show the effectiveness of this. 
  7. Neem goes way beyond cleaning blocked pores and eliminating pimples. It has anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also an analgesic, which means it can be used as a pain killer when used topically (applied to the skin). This is a little powerhouse and the essential oil and leaves are perfect for healing skin problems.
Always remember when trying any of these, do a skin test first. As with anything, sometimes sensitivity can occur.

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Neem another secret superfood


Some background on Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree in the mahogany family. The tree is native to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh growing mainly in tropical and semi-tropical regions. 


Neem has been used over the ages for Birth control / Contraception - boosts the immune system - can prevent heart disease - Helps combat Aids/Hiv - A natural aid to diabetes - can prevent dandruff - A powerful tool in Jaundice - Arthritis - Malaria - Eczema - Cancer fighter - combat herpes - warts - acne - stomach ulcers - skin disorders - viral diseases - athlete's foot - Rheumatism - boils - ulcers - nail fungus - Chicken pox - dental care - Ringworm - head lice - Psoriasis and even stress.

With so many striking features is it really no surprise that you haven't heard of it?



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The 10 best uses for Neem

If you have not heard about the herb Neem, it is time! 



Neem is a powerful popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine.  It has an incredible amount of uses from helping with digestive issues to healing skin problems.  It can be taken orally or topically. The Neem tree lives up to its name, 'The Tree of Life.'

Here are the 10 best uses for Neem:

1. Immune System Support and Booster ~ Neem has antibacterial, antifungal and antibacterial properties. It is also rich in antioxidants which fight off free radical invaders that can damage cells and lead to illness.  Coughing can also be reduced by drinking neem water.

2. Skin Healing and Support ~ Neem has anti-inflammatory properties that help calm inflamed or irritated skin.  It can help with skin issues such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Take a bath with Neem Leaves or mix with coconut oil and put on the skin.

3. Anti-inflammatory ~ Neem has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in conditions such as arthritis, muscular pains and inflamed wounds. Heat Neem Oil with Coconut Oil and massage into aching joints.

4. Dental Health ~ Neem can be used in toothpaste or mouthwash to prevent gum disease and cavities.  Neem prevents the gums from becoming irritated and inflamed and prevents the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth.  The twigs from the tree were used for centuries to brush teeth.

5. Parasites ~ Neem can be used to combat intestinal worms. Drink Neem tea to kill ring worm and scabies.

6. Insect Repellant ~ Neem is a natural insect repellant. It is safe to use on the body to keep pests away. It can also be used in shampoo to get rid of lice.  Put oil in hair and let sit overnight. Neem oil can also be added to dog shampoo to kill flees and ticks.  Another use it to make a spray to protect your garden from pests.

7. Digestive Issues ~ Neem Supports a healthy GI tract and helps to process foods to prevent digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation.
8.  Liver Supporter ~ Neem helps the liver function properly by filtering out toxins so it can work properly. Use of Neem also recommended  for treatment of jaundice.

9. Warts, Cold Sores and Herpes ~ A paste of Neem powder can be applied to warts and herpes and other viral issues.

10. Cancer treatment ~ Neem has been known to reduce the size of tumors when it's injected around the area.



There are many more uses for this Wonder Herb. Neem is a fast growing tree which makes purchasing the powder, leaves, seeds or flowers inexpensive if you cannot find a tree growing near by. I personally have used it as an insect repellent for my entire family, (dogs and plants included). I have also used it to relieve skin issues and I use it for dental health. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the 'Tree of Life' and find below some of the products that I have developed using Neem. 

Thank you for joining me on my journey to live as close to the Earth as possible!

With Gratitude,
   ~Alex
Alex is a renowned speaker, (R)evolutionary teacher and world traveler, having lived and studied in the United States, South Africa and Costa Rica. She has a BA in Environmental Studies, a Masters Degree in Psychology and is a qualified Yoga instructor. She is a continuous source of inspiration to thousands of women around the world and has spent her life tirelessly researching ways to maintain a fully balanced life.

Natural Cures Not Medicine

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