Neem Tree Farms

Neem Really Is Snake Oil!

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:35:52 -0400

Anytime people who love neem talk to other people about it, our biggest challenge is explaining how one tree does so much. Most herbs have a couple of active compounds and work well when used with very specific symptoms. Neem, of course, is known as the “village pharmacy” so I may talk to someone with diabetes in the morning, arthritis at lunch and gum disease or psoriasis in the evening.

Sometimes I joke about selling snake oil – but it turns out that neem may actually be an effective antidote for snake bites, particularly in rural areas of India where venomous snakes abound and refrigeration for anti-venom is rare.

Scientists at Tezpur University tested a series of traditional botanical treatments against cobra and viper venoms in test tubes and found that a dried methanolic leaf extract significantly inhibited damage from the poisons – stopping anticoagulant activity caused by one cobra venom by 90%.

From the perspective of people in India and Africa, the test once again confirms traditional herbal treatment using neem. It goes a step further, however, by identifying the most active compounds and separating them into a product that’s stable for six months at room temperature.

It’s still years away, but it may save many lives in the tropics where people often arrive in urban emergency rooms where anti-venom is available hours after they the bite.

neem, village pharmacy, snake, venom, cobra, diabetes, psoriasis, arthritis, safe, natural, treatment,

Blessed Neem

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:32:34 -0400

From almost the very beginning of human history, inhabitants of India and Southeast Asia recognized the incredible curative and protective powers of Neem, Azadirachta Indica. Neem plays an important role in the region's religious traditions as well as in the Ayurveda healing system. Today, as modern research confirms this ancient knowledge, we have created www.blessedneem.com to serve as a forum for knowledgeable people around the world to share their traditions with others so that primeval customs are preserved.

According to ancient myths, Indra - the king of Celestials - bestowed neem with its incredible power while returning to heaven on a sacred white elephant after retrieving a golden pot of ambrosia from the demons. He spilled the ambrosia on a neem, making it a tree blessed with virtuous qualities that could remove all diseases. In another story, insects are said to be the creation of evil demons, and neem protects people from them by weakening the insect's life patterns.

In yet another myth, the Sun God Surya is said to have been sought refuge from demons in a neem tree. That tradition is reflected in a belief among some Hindus that anyone who plants three neem trees lives after death in Suryalok (Sun World) for three epochs and never goes to hell.

Ancient Indian astrologists also placed neem in a prominent position, associated with the constellation 'Uttara Bhadrapada', whose presiding deity is Abibudhanya.

Some of the earliest writings known to man focus on medicinal herbs and the healing properties of plants. The Vedas, the oldest of the Hindu sacred texts and the basis of the Ayurvedic tradition, detail the use of neem as a medicinal herb. Brihat Samhita, the ancient text written by Varahamihira (505 AD) and sometimes called "the encyclopedia of Indian Culture," includes a chapter on medicinal herbs that highly recommends neem.

The names given to neem also reflect its value in ancient society. In Sanskrit, neem is translated as "nimba" and becomes the basis of an ancient saying "nimbati ivasthyamdadati," or "Neem, to give good health." Another ancient name is "Sarvo Roga Nivarins" - or "the curer of all ailments."

Thousands of years later, neem still plays an important role in healthcare and religion in many Indian households to such a degree that it's almost "cradle-to-grave" healthcare insurance. For instance, families often bathe new-born babies in water that has been boiled with neem leaves because of its medicinal and refreshing qualities. In South India, when a mother leaves a baby unattended, she often leaves a small twig of neem leaves near the baby for protection. Thousands of Indians use neem twigs to brush their teeth every day (a tradition recognized by the Indian subsidiary of international giant Unlived that created a neem-based toothpaste).

Another ritual called the "Ashwatta Narayana Puja" is used by couples who want to conceive a child. They perform a "marriage" of neem and the banyan tree and go around these seven times every morning for seven days.

Other ventures may start by propitiating Lord Vigneshwara to remove obstacles and for the smooth completion of the event. For the Siddhi Vinayaka Puja twenty types of flower are offered at the feet of the Lord, including neem flowers.

At funerals, the Puranas urge that family and friends chew neem leaves to protect against lingering infections, and spread more leaves at the threshold of the house where the death occurred - a tradition based on neem's healing powers and dating back to the days when many people died in epidemics.

Rural residents of India have a festival called "ghatashapana" in which neem leaves are used to sanctify the water-pot. The Gamits of Gujarat offer neem juice to God, and then cattle and lastly take it themselves.

Many Hindus around the world still celebrate the New Year or ugadhi or Chaitra Vishnu, which comes in March/ April when the Sun enters the sign of Aries, by eating the bitter leaves of neem with a little jaggery to symbolize acceptance of the good with the bad. The tradition also signals the beginning of a season when neem is to be used regularly, since the period after the onset of the New Year is the season when Pitta dosha is aggravated. As per the Ayurvedic tradition, Neem helps to keep Pitta in check.

Even Mahatma Gandhi was a believer in neem. Prayer meetings he conducted at the Sabarmati Ashram were held under a neem tree and a neem leaf chutney was a part of his everyday diet.

Blessed Neem

Chaya

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:30:06 -0400

An incredibly nutritious plant that is a staple of the Mayan diet, chaya is easy to grow almost anywhere. A native of the hot and dry Yucatan Peninsula, it takes thrives in the hot humid summers of Florida and Texas. In more northern climates, it can be grown outdoors during the summer and brought inside to spend the winter in a sunny window.

It's also called tree spinach, but that's like comparing spinach to iceberg lettuce. According to a USDA report, chaya contains nearly twice as many important nutrients, including calcium, protein and Vitamin C, as spinach.

Like many tropical plants, chaya leaves contain hydrocyanic glycosides, a toxic compound easily destroyed by cooking. Even though some people eat raw chaya leaves, it is generally considered to be unwise. Fresh chaya can be substituted for spinach in many recipes or blanched leaves can be added to smoothies. It has a very bland taste and can be used in either sweet or savory recipes.

Our chaya plants do not have the stinging nettles found on some plants, they're the broad-leaf variety and are extremely productive.

If you don't have space to grow your own, our dried powder is easy to add to smoothies, can be used to make a nutritious tea or infusion or added to egg dishes or soups.

We have both Live Chaya Plants and Chaya Powder available here at Neem Tree Farms.

chaya,plant,powder,capsules,calcium,protein,Vitamin C,spinach

Healing Breezes

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:28:09 -0400

Neem Tree Farms is pleased to announce the first-ever line of all-natural products that combines traditional European herbal remedies with neem and aloe vera, Healing Breezes Solutions for Problem Skin.

Created by Sorcy SummerWind, a world-renowned herbalist, organic gardener and teacher, the line is formulated primarily with herbs grown in a rural area of Germany surrounded by pristine forests - plus our wildcrafted neem oil.

Sorcy first learned about herbal remedies from her grandmother, then from teaching circles in the online community. She launched Herbal Healers International in 2000, an invitation-only internet forum to bring together experts from around the world who grow and use herbs.

While many of her formulas are inspired by world-renowned herbalists like Doctors Richard Schulze and John Christopher, others are based on many years of testing on herself - as well as family and friends - on problems ranging from skin disorders to the bumps, dings and aches that happen to almost everyone. She has been working with the staff at Neem Tree Farms for several years, documenting neem's efficacy and learning how adding neem to traditional formulas makes them even more effective.

The products are still primarily made with traditional herbs like comfrey, arnica and St. John's wort, grown in her organic garden and wildcrafted from untouched areas near her home. She's careful to harvest only those that will not be adversely impacted. "I only take what Momma can spare, not everything I could pick, which explains why I can only offer limit quantities."

The wildcrafted herbs come exclusively from forest meadows in the middle of nowhere, with the assistance of her trusty steed 'Chance' who not only carried her there, but patiently sampled the goods while she scampered about, and then carried it all home. Most, however, now grow in her own organic garden.

Sorcy strongly believes that if Gramma didn't have to use chemicals, neither should we - and that means anything that's not 100% natural, including preservatives. Her creams and salves are carefully processed with glass and stainless steel tools.

The infused oils are sunsteeped way beyond the normal time frame, usually all summer. The herb volume used is between 70-95% herb ratio as opposed to the typical 1-5, so you could cut them down with half aloe gel, and still have an end product many times stronger than what you'd find on a commercial shelf.

All Sorcy's products come with click-on recipes, and each herb name links to individual properties. She encourages users to educate themselves about herbs. The recipes are displayed for private use only - which means you can make tons to roll in, but not a gram to sell.

Her commitment to all-natural ingredients means that these products require some additional care for optimum shelf life. We import freshly made - all by hand, of course - products from Germany and refrigerate them until they're sold. Once you receive them, they should be stored in the refrigerator when not in use, although a small amount may be kept at room temperature. Salves should be dispensed with a clean spatula, not a finger dipped into the pot.

Like many earth-friendly choices, these all-natural products require a little extra care and attention - but they're more than worth it!

Green Blessings, Sorcy SummerWind

Healing Breezes,Herbal Healers International,

Growing Instructions

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:25:49 -0400

Download
Growing Instructions:
Growing Neem
Growing Neem from Seeds
Growing Neem from Seedlings
Growing Neem in California
Growing Neem in Central Florida
Growing Sweet Neem
Growing Aloe
Growing Gotu Kola
Growing Holy Basil

A native of India, neem is an extraordinarily hardy tree that thrives in ecosystems ranging from the Sahara Desert to the wet salty environment of the Florida Keys. The only pests known to harm it are directly related to over watering: slugs (which are mollusks not insects) and several strains of root rot.

In Florida and other tropical climates, neem quickly becomes a valuable shade tree, growing up to 10 feet per year under optimum conditions. In colder climates, neem can easily be grown in large pots, spending winter months in a sunny window and summers outdoor. (Neem trees will even survive without any natural sunlight, although they will not grow.)

A potted neem tree is a highly decorative plant that actually repels pests such as scale and spider mites that can kill common houseplants like ficus or palm trees. Even novice gardeners can grow neem because it clearly indicates when it needs water and fertilizer. Leaves start to droop as the soil dries out, then quickly revive after watering. Well-fertilized neem trees sport bright-red new growth; when growth slows, they need more nutrients.

We recommend that neem trees be planted in pots as large as can be handled, because they are like goldfish - they will get as big as their pots allow. If you do not have a compost pile or a favorite potting soil, ask your garden center for a premium potting soil mix. Unless you’re an expert gardener, please don’t use soil from your yard. For optimum growth, fertilize weekly with fish emulsion at half the recommended rate and use a balanced organic fertilizer monthly while the tree is growing.

We plant neem seeds in flats because they can be notoriously difficult to germinate. The 2005 harvest is our best ever, with germination rates in excess of 90 percent.

Neem trees, like many tropical plants, are day-length sensitive and will stop growing in the winter unless supplemental light is provided. If you expect to harvest neem year-round, make sure your tree receives as much natural light as possible during the day, then several hours of artificial light at night during the short days of winter. (It does not have to be a lot of light - a near-by living room lamp is fine.)

Neem Seeds

Neem seeds are only viable for about 30 days after they are harvested, and fruit ripens in mid-summer. We begin shipping seeds to US and EU destinations in mid-July. We run out of seeds quickly, so if you would like to be notified as soon as they are available, please sign up for our mailing list.

Visit Our Friends at Gardens Florida
www.gardensflorida.com

Growing Instructions

Azadirachta indica

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:22:08 -0400

From the very beginning of civilization, mankind has depended upon medicinal herbs to treat a myriad of diseases, disorders and injuries. Even today, more than half of all modern medicines - ranging from aspirin to the newest treatment for breast cancer - are based upon ingredients from plants.

The Advantages Of Neem

Neem, still called "the village pharmacy" in its native India, is one of the most ancient and widely used herbs in the world. In fact, herbalists in ancient India had documented the healing qualities of this remarkable tree long before Western civilization discovered the analgesic qualities of the willow tree from which aspirin is derived.

Perhaps the most significant challenge neem faces is the fact that it appears to be too good to be true. We're not from Missouri, but we're definitely "show me" type people who did a lot of research before opening Neem Tree Farms. So instead of trying to persuade you how wonderful neem is, we've provided a series of links to national and international research on this remarkable tree.

We started growing neem on the indirect advice of the U.S. government, which sponsored a research project that resulted in a book called NEEM: A Tree for Solving Global Problems. The chapter on medicinals (pages 60 to 70) and "next steps" (pages 88 to 99) are particularly interesting.

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and published by the National Academy Press, the book's contributors and participants include the board of the National Research Council, the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as the Board on Science and Technology for International Development.

It's a little difficult to read online and is somewhat outdated (published in 1992) but what struck us most strongly was a paragraph in the foreword:

"To those millions in India neem has miraculous powers, and now scientists around the world are beginning to think they may be right. Two decades of research have revealed promising results in so many disciplines that this obscure species may be of enormous benefit to countries both rich and poor. Even some of the most cautious researchers are saying that 'neem deserves to be called a wonder plant."

Since then, other government agencies, as well as highly respected physicians and physician organizations, have begun compiling databases that include information on neem.

The National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a sister agency to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has created a database of national and international research journals called MedLine. It includes more than 150 documents on neem. To search for neem and a specific question, type neem AND disorder, i.e., neem AND parasites or neem AND antiviral.

MDChoice.com is a privately held company founded by academic physicians and backed by private venture capital. They have developed a unique, patent-pending technology that provides specific, content-focused information from MedLine at the click of a mouse button. Searching for information on neem is somewhat easier than using the main government site and it is much easier to purchase full copies of the articles.

The National Institutes of Health also has documented the myriad uses of neem in its International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements (IBIDS) - which is nicknamed the "Physician's Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines." This database of published, international scientific literature on dietary supplements also includes more than 150 citations on neem. (Interestingly enough, they aren't the same documents listed in MedLine, although there are some overlaps.) Full articles are not available on the site but it's an interesting overview.

One of neem's most important attributes is its effectiveness as a natural pesticide (see the IBIDS database for details). It is proving to be equally effective in repelling pests that affect people, like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and head lice. Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard physician and leading proponent of alternative medicine, has written several articles on neem.

Contraindications

Within those limitations, neem is generally considered to be one of the safest medicinal herbs available. The FDA's Office of Special Nutritionals maintains an extensive database of adverse affects from herbal medications which does not include any references to neem that would indicate potential problems. Even the Extension Toxicology Network documentation for using neem as a pesticide shows that it is "relatively non-toxic" and caused no significant problems even at the extraordinary high dosages fed to laboratory rats as part of the approval process required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Neem products should never be used internally by anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive a child (male or female). Neem also has compounds related to those found in aspirin and should not be used to treat children under the age of 19 with fevers or other flu-related symptoms.

Disclaimer: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The research presented on this page is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Whenever possible, links to abstracts published by the National Institutes of Health (a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) are provided. However, some of the earlier research is not available online. For information on other disorders, visit PubMed, and type in neem and your specific question, i.e., neem and virus, neem and gum disease, neem and insects.

Azadirachta indica,