Neem leaf or bark is considered an effective pitta pacifier due to its bitter taste. Hence, it is traditionally recommended during early summer in Ayurveda (that is, the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu Calendar which usually falls in the month of March – April), and during Gudi Padva, which is the New Year in the state of Maharashtra, the ancient practice of drinking a small quantity of neem juice or paste on that day, before starting festivities, is found. As in many Hindu festivals and their association with some food to avoid negative side-effects of the season or change of seasons, neem juice is associated with Gudi Padva to remind people to use it during that particular month or season to pacify summer pitta.
In Tamilnadu during the summer months of April to June, the Mariamman temple festival is a thousand year old tradition. The Neem leaves and flowers are the most important part of the Mariamman festival. The goddess Mariamman statue will be garlanded with Neem leaves and flowers. During most occasions of celebrations and weddings the people of Tamilnadu adorn their surroundings with the Neem leaves and flowers as a form of decoration and also to ward off evil spirits and infections.
Neem leaf or bark is considered an effective pitta pacifier due to its bitter taste. Hence, it is traditionally recommended during early summer in Ayurveda (that is, the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu Calendar which usually falls in the month of March – April), and during Gudi Padva, which is the New Year in the state of Maharashtra, the ancient practice of drinking a small quantity of neem juice or paste on that day, before starting festivities, is found. As in many Hindu festivals and their association with some food to avoid negative side-effects of the season or change of seasons, neem juice is associated with Gudi Padva to remind people to use it during that particular month or season to pacify summer pitta.
In Tamilnadu during the summer months of April to June, the Mariamman temple festival is a thousand year old tradition. The Neem leaves and flowers are the most important part of the Mariamman festival. The goddess Mariamman statue will be garlanded with Neem leaves and flowers. During most occasions of celebrations and weddings the people of Tamilnadu adorn their surroundings with the Neem leaves and flowers as a form of decoration and also to ward off evil spirits and infections.
The villagers in Tamil Nadu use the thinner branches of the bitter neem as a toothbrush, which contains its own toothpaste – the juice. It is called a datoon (from the Sanskrit root dat, meaning ‘tooth’). They cut the branch into sticks about five or six inches long, wash them and chew one end until it becomes soft and looks like a brush, and use it in the same way as a toothbrush. It keeps the teeth clean, and the gums healthy and germ-free. It is also very hygienic, as a new brush can be used every time. Besides, the neem juice can be swallowed to good effect. Neem is also used in actual toothpaste and toothpowder. From the bark a power is prepared for toothache. Swami Vivekananda writes in Brahmacharya Palan (‘Rules for Celibacy’) that cleaning the teeth with a neem stick aids in the practice of brahmacharya. Chewing a few neem leaves daily also cures pyorrhoea.
The neem tree beautifies and purifies the environment, gives shade, healing vibrations and medicine, and nourishes the earth in return for the life it draws from her. Therefore, we can understand why it has been called ‘earth’s wish-fulfilling tree’ .
-Tamilan
In Tamilnadu during the summer months of April to June, the Mariamman temple festival is a thousand year old tradition. The Neem leaves and flowers are the most important part of the Mariamman festival. The goddess Mariamman statue will be garlanded with Neem leaves and flowers. During most occasions of celebrations and weddings the people of Tamilnadu adorn their surroundings with the Neem leaves and flowers as a form of decoration and also to ward off evil spirits and infections.
Neem leaf or bark is considered an effective pitta pacifier due to its bitter taste. Hence, it is traditionally recommended during early summer in Ayurveda (that is, the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu Calendar which usually falls in the month of March – April), and during Gudi Padva, which is the New Year in the state of Maharashtra, the ancient practice of drinking a small quantity of neem juice or paste on that day, before starting festivities, is found. As in many Hindu festivals and their association with some food to avoid negative side-effects of the season or change of seasons, neem juice is associated with Gudi Padva to remind people to use it during that particular month or season to pacify summer pitta.
In Tamilnadu during the summer months of April to June, the Mariamman temple festival is a thousand year old tradition. The Neem leaves and flowers are the most important part of the Mariamman festival. The goddess Mariamman statue will be garlanded with Neem leaves and flowers. During most occasions of celebrations and weddings the people of Tamilnadu adorn their surroundings with the Neem leaves and flowers as a form of decoration and also to ward off evil spirits and infections.
The quality of neem is heating, and it is a blood purifier. The leaf is a stimulant, anthelmintic and discutient. Being an antiseptic and disinfectant, it is applied externally on cuts, wounds and boils. For any type of fever, neem juice should be taken for seven days. Fresh leaves are cooked and eaten for immunity from malaria. In diabetes a preparation made from powdered neem, bilwa (bel) leaves and kali mirch (black pepper) is prescribed. This medicine should be taken in the early morning on an empty stomach, the best time for taking neem. The bark, roots and leaves are used for the treatment of scabies, eczema, rashes, leprosy and other skin diseases. Neem leaves mixed with haldi (turmeric), which is also an antiseptic, are applied as a paste to skin infections. In cases of chickenpox, measles and smallpox, the patient’s bed is strewn with neem leaves to extract toxins. The body is also fanned with neem branches. Bathing in a neem leaf infusion is excellent for swelling ulcers, eczema, leprosy ulcers, soothing scabs and clearing away scars after the pox. There are also many brands of neem soap with no chemical additives that not only keep the body fresh and clean, but are also excellent for the skin.
Performing trataka on neem leaves is said by doctors to be excellent for the eyes. In Indian villages they claim that if you take a small amount (about a handful) of hot rice, ghee (clarified butter) and a teaspoon of dried powdered neem mixed together daily, just before lunch, you will not die if bitten by a poisonous snake. Karak chai (a strong or concentrated tea preparation) is also made from the leaves, bark and roots. Neem is revered by Indian herdsmen as a gentle, but effective veterinary poultice. According to the 16th century Portuguese botanist, Garcia da Orta in his Cikiquitos, “It is a tree that has great repute as valuable and medicinal. The sore backs of horses that were most difficult to clean and heal were very quickly cured with leaves pounded and put over the sores, mixed with lime juice.”
The fruit and seed: The fruit is small, yellow and oval-shaped, with a bitter/sweet taste. It is anti-periodic and a tonic. Neem oil is made from the seed of this fruit (which is anthelmintic) and used for massaging the body. Neem seed oil has been clinically tested as an external contraceptive. It is a stimulant, antiseptic and insecticide. The oil is used to protect the bark of other trees from termites. It is injected into the valuable red cedar sapling found in north Queensland, Australia, to protect against moth. After the oil has been extracted, the remaining part of the seed is used as fertilizer. Pesticides, as well as cosmetics are made from it.
When to take neem: Neem leaves should be taken in the early morning on an empty stomach. Tender new leaves should be selected, twelve to fifteen in number, because they are not as bitter as the mature leaves. The best time for this is the month of Magha (14th January–14th February). This protects the immune system from the viral diseases prevalent after this period – Basant (spring). An image of the folk goddess Sitala can often be seen suspended from a neem branch where she guards against smallpox, once the great killer in the Indian countryside. In this month, the neem produces sweet-smelling cream-coloured flowers, which are also eaten. This flower is a stimulant, stomachic and tonic. Excellent chutney is made from them. It is useful in anorexia, vomiting or nausea, sour belching, worms in the bowels and fainting due to a bilious stomach. Pancakes are made from this flower mixed with ground rice. They are also added to chappatis and paranthas.
Another important time for neem leaf consumption is Chaitra Shukla Prathama (the first day of the white fortnight in April when the moon is waxing). In some states of India, this marks the start of the New Year. During Chaitra and Magha, an increase in pitta is needed to kill germs. Neem leaves can also be taken during the rainy season to prevent worms and other parasites invading the stomach. However, they should never be taken during grishma ritu (the hot season) or this will overheat the stomach and cause too much pitta, leading to diarrhoea. If you take a few neem leaves daily, you will not be troubled by mosquitoes, as they only like sweet blood!
In South India, people take neem leaves during the festival of Pongal, New Year. The sweet rice preparation is also called ‘pongal’. Hindus also consume neem leaves as the first food after attending funeral rites. On the tenth day after a death in the family, it is a must for the whole family.
The villagers in Tamil Nadu use the thinner branches of the bitter neem as a toothbrush, which contains its own toothpaste – the juice. It is called a datoon (from the Sanskrit root dat, meaning ‘tooth’). They cut the branch into sticks about five or six inches long, wash them and chew one end until it becomes soft and looks like a brush, and use it in the same way as a toothbrush. It keeps the teeth clean, and the gums healthy and germ-free. It is also very hygienic, as a new brush can be used every time. Besides, the neem juice can be swallowed to good effect. Neem is also used in actual toothpaste and toothpowder. From the bark a power is prepared for toothache. Swami Vivekananda writes in Brahmacharya Palan (‘Rules for Celibacy’) that cleaning the teeth with a neem stick aids in the practice of brahmacharya. Chewing a few neem leaves daily also cures pyorrhoea.
The neem tree beautifies and purifies the environment, gives shade, healing vibrations and medicine, and nourishes the earth in return for the life it draws from her. Therefore, we can understand why it has been called ‘earth’s wish-fulfilling tree’ .
-Tamilan
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