Antioxidants’ Benefits

Oxidative stress has been linked to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, emphysema, Parkinson’s disease, and other inflammatory or ischemic conditions. Intake of antioxidants is believed to reduce these risks and protect against the cell damage that free radicals cause.

Activities and processes that can lead to oxidative stress include:

• mitochondrial activity
• excessive exercise
• tissue trauma, due to inflammation and injury
• ischemia and reperfusion damage
• consumption of certain foods, especially refined and processed foods, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and certain dyes and additives
• smoking
• environmental pollution
• radiation
• exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and drugs, including chemotherapy.
• industrial solvents
• ozone

According to one study: “Antioxidants act as radical scavenger, hydrogen donor, electron donor, peroxide decomposer, singlet oxygen quencher, enzyme inhibitor, synergist, and metal-chelating agents.”

Other research has indicated that antioxidant supplements may help reduce vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration in older people.

Neem’s Antioxidants

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a member of the Meliaceae family and its healing properties are attributed to it being a rich source of antioxidants. Visit http://www.dustandmop.com/. It has been widely used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Unani medicines worldwide, especially in the Indian subcontinent, in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Earlier findings confirmed that neem and its constituents play a role in the scavenging of free radical generation and prevention of disease pathogenesis. Antioxidant compounds in neem help to prevent brain damage and can help to prevent a stroke by enhancing lipid peroxidation and increasing ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in the brain.

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Traditional Solutions

Traditional creams often contain a variety of ingredients that may calm some symptoms in the short term, but cause long-term damage.

Emulsifiers: These soap-based substances are responsible for drying and aging your skin. When evaluating your skincare products make sure to avoid the following ingredients:

• Emulsifying Wax
• Polysorbate
• Stearate
• Steareth
• Cetearyl
• Ceteareth

1,4-dioxane: While an emulsifier will damage the look of your skin, its byproduct, 1,4-dioxane, is even more frightening, as it is known human carcinogen, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The following ingredients may suggest its presence:

• Polyethylene
• Polyethylene glycol, also PEG
• Polyoxyethylene
• Any word ending with “oxynol”
• Any word ending with “eth’

Parabens: Preservatives used to increase the life of products. They may be listed as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben, and using products that contain them can be dangerous. Doctors call parabens “endocrine disruptors,” meaning that they can wreak havoc with the hormonal system.

Neem Oil: The Right Solution

If you are looking for a natural remedy to cure your skin conditions, try neem.

Obtained from neem seeds, neem oil has a number of properties that make it the perfect option for treating skin conditions.

Neem oil contains:

• A high level of antioxidants such as carotenoids
• Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid
• Natural triglycerides
• Vitamin E
• Calcium
• Anti-inflammatory compounds nimbidin and quercetin
• Natural antimicrobial compounds

Western medicine treats these conditions with anti-inflammatory creams and medicines that can thin the skin and cause other far-reaching side effects. If you need help to recover hospital bills contact work injury lawyers California at http://www.workerscompensationlawyersla.com. Not only is Neem a great emollient, which is incredibly important for these conditions, but it is packed with natural anti-inflammatory properties. These anti-inflammatory compounds include the antioxidant quercetin. This wonder ingredient is also a natural antihistamine, a major part of the dry-skin arsenal. This ingredient alone is a major counteractant of redness, swelling and hives often associated with these conditions.

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The Benefits of a Home Garden

Extensive research by NASA has revealed that houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of air toxin in 24 hours. Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity by up to 15 percent!, reduce stress levels and boost your mood — making them perfect for not just your home but your work space, too.

Vegetables such as potatoes onions, lettuce, blackberries and raspberries are relatively easy to grow at home, but they can also attract unwanted pests and fungus.

How Neem Takes Care of Your Garden

When trying to fight pests and fungus, most people rely on synthetic pesticides, which pose a great risk to the environment, humans and pets. Through the years these substances have been associated with a variety of ailments including cancer, brain problems and skin diseases. They also contribute to global warming by contributing to harmful greenhouse gas emissions and to the extinction of many species.

Fortunately, there are organic alternatives. Visit www.cleanqueendenver.com/. Since ancient times, the neem tree has been prized as a sacred remedy and important ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine. In the garden, neem oil boasts a powerful insecticidal ingredient, azadirachtin, which makes it a great organic choice for controlling a variety of problems when growing plants, fruits and vegetables:

• Neem oil kills or repels many harmful insects and mites, including aphids, whiteflies, snails, nematodes, mealybugs, cabbage worms and many others. It kills some bugs immediately, attacks the larvae of others, and repels plant munchers with its bitter taste.
• Neem oil is plant based and organic, which makes it a safe option for every household as it poses no harms to humans or pets.
• Neem oil can also help plants battle viruses.

The uses for the neem tree seem to be endless and it provides a myriad of benefits in agriculture, be it for a home garden or a large scale plantation. Next time you are looking for safe, organic solutions for your home garden, reach for neem oil and neem products, and let us know how it worked for you in the comments below.

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The Reasons for the Popularity of NSAIDs

• In addition to working as pain relievers, they can reduce fever and inflammation.
• They are relatively inexpensive, with generic versions available for most of them.
• They are available over the counter or, in higher doses, by prescription.
• They have a good safety profile.

Problems with NSAIDs

• Common side effects: Digestive problems including upset stomach, heartburn, and ulcers. Kidney injury, easy bruising or bleeding, and mild allergic reactions (such as rashes) are common as well.
• Less common side effects: Severe allergic reactions, liver injury, increased risk of heart problems depending on the particular type of NSAID and the person taking it.

There are 20 different times of NSAIDs and their availability makes them easy to misuse. A recent study found that among more than 1,300 people taking ibuprofen, more than one-third also took a second NSAID. Less than half of these users realized that more than one of their medications was an NSAID. Up to 15% took more than the recommended dosage.

Neem as a Possible NSAIDs Substitute

The neem tree contains a series of compounds which have proven extremely valuable throughout hundreds of years in the eastern medical world. These compounds are now being further studied by western scientists who are constantly unravelling its various applications, and conducting studies on the anti-inflammatory properties of neem leaf extract.

Widely used for treating fevers, neem has anti-pyretic (fever-reducing) properties. Texas junk car buyers can be found at www.byotautoparts.com/. In addition, neem products also have analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory effects, i.e. for most common ailments neem can provide cheap, easily-available and local produced, entrepreneurial medicines. A wide multitude of diseases or conditions can be successfully treated with various elements of neem.

Studies have found that neem leaf alcoholic extract (NLE) was tested for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anti- and ulcerogenic activities. NLE was found to possess significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity both in carrageenan-induced acute inflammation and formaldehyde-induced subacute inflammation in rats.

How do you use neem to improve your health? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Harmful Ingredients in Soap

Dioxane

Dioxane is a contaminant found in most cosmetics and products meant for personal care. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has given Dioxane a high hazard rating of 8 in its Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Not only that, but it’s one of the chemicals featured in California’s Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

This chemical is also known as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, but should not to be confused with the gentler Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate. According to Natural Essentials, SLS bonds with other common soap ingredients, resulting in a carcinogenic nitrosamine, one of the chemicals also featured in California’s Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens. SLS is linked to skin irritation and allergic reactions, like eczematous dermatitis, leaving sensitive skin damaged and irritated.

Triclosan

Triclosan is a pesticide with antibacterial and antifungal properties, containing a high hazard rating of 7 in EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Triclosan is also classified as a skin, eye, and lung irritant. Studies show that Triclosan, in low doses, can impact thyroid hormone concentrations, disrupting the endocrine system.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives commonly used in bars of soap. Here you can schedule weekly or bi-weekly appointments with move out cleaning service in Arizona. According to the FDA, “the most common parabens used in cosmetic products are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.” Parabens have a tendency to mimic hormones, which have been found to disrupt the function of hormones naturally found in your body.

Ureas

Ureas like, Diazolidinyl Urea, are known to release the chemical formaldehyde. Formaldehyde, with a high hazard rating of 10, is a known human carcinogen, human respiratory toxicant, skin irritant and an environmental toxin. With chemicals as toxic as these, it’s recommendable to double check the label before purchasing soap.

Neem in Your Soap 

Neem has been used for years in Indian medicine due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help treat a series of diseases. Horch Roofing of Maine offers professional roofing services for your needs. The same properties make neem an excellent and safe ingredient in soap. Neem oil is the main ingredient in neem soaps, however, they can also be manufactured with leaves and bark extract. A neem soap is perfect to treat skin conditions as it is gentle and safe for your skin.

So reach for neem the next time you’re looking for soap!

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How Antibacterial Treatments Work

In an attempt to create clothes with a barrier against the bacteria and the odor caused by sweat, some manufacturers have started to treat clothing with “antibacterial” agents that are meant to prevent the build-up of odor-causing bacteria.

Scientists at the Swedish Chemicals Agency analyzed 30 representative items of clothing treated with three common antibacterial treatments: silver, trichlocarban and triclosan. Washing rapidly removed these chemicals in all the clothes. In the case of triclosan and trichlocarban more than half of the original content was washed out after 10 washes. With silver, half of the substance had been washed after just 3 washes.

When these substances wash out, they end up in waterways and eventually reach the ocean, harming soil, food, and wildlife. Silver, for example, doesn’t degrade and has rapidly accumulated in the environment since it became a common fabric treatment. Trichlocarban and triclosan degrade very slowly.

Triclosan, and its related compound trichlorcarban, is a hormone disruptor, that can affect male and female reproductive hormones and possibly fetal development, and is also shown to alter thyroid function. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that health and beauty products containing these substances may no longer be marketed to consumers*.

Neem as a Safe Antibacterial

More than 300 different active compounds have been reported from different parts of the neem tree but the most important limonoids are azadirachtin, salannin and nimbin. Neem extracts have the potential to inhibit the growth of bacteria. A study conducted with different natural antibacterial agents on clothing showed that 100% neem oil treated fabrics reduced 65% and 96% of S.aureus and E.coli respectively.

Protect your health and the environment by avoiding clothes that contain antibacterial treatments and replacing them with those treated with natural solutions like neem.

*The FDA does not regulate clothing.

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Antiperspirants and Deodorants: Is There a Difference?

While they are usually referred to as the same product, antiperspirants and deodorants are different from each other. An antiperspirant prevents sweat and body odor in two ways: Firstly by preventing sweat from reaching the surface of the skin and secondly by fighting odor-causing bacteria. Deodorants only contain antimicrobial agents that fight body odor.

Deodorant and Antiperspirant Chemistry

People always think twice when it comes to toxic ingredients in food, but the ones that we smear in our skin may be causing more harm. Experts explain that the things we eat are broken down by our liver and digestive system, but what we put in our skin might enter the bloodstream without being metabolized. Therefore it’s important to look at some common ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants.

Parabens – They are used in deodorants and other personal care products as preservatives. Research suggests that parabens interfere with the way the body regulates estrogen and other hormones. Research into a direct link between parabens and cancer has proven inconclusive, however, there are experts who have concluded that continued exposure to chemicals such as parabens may contribute to the development of tumors.

Aluminum– Probably the most infamous ingredient associated with deodorants, although it’s most commonly found in antiperspirants. This metal has been linked to “gene instability” in breast tissue. Research has shown that most cancers originate in the breast area which tends to coincide with the use of products that contain this metal. Using products that contain aluminum in areas where the skin is often shaved can lead to an increased risk of aluminum in the bloodstream.

Phthalates – These compounds help deodorant and other beauty products stick to our skin. They also appear to disrupt the way our body produces and uses testosterone. While many people think of testosterone as a male hormone, it is also found in women and it plays an integral role in energy and muscle maintenance.

Fragrance – In the US and many other countries, scents are protected under trade law and therefore not listed as ingredients, which is why going “fragrance-free” is recommended for everyone. There is no telling what fragrances might contain, but the smart bet is on toxic chemicals.

Ever Thought of Going Natural?

There are a number of natural alternatives to chemical deodorants and antiperspirants which are often available at your local pharmacy. Look for products that are labeled paraben and fragrance-free. There are many natural ingredients readily available in many households such as baking soda, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil which can help control body odor and protect your skin. In addition to this, there are natural deodorant brands which use neem oil as an active ingredient. Neem’s natural anti-bacterial properties make it an ideal natural and safe ingredient.

As a general rule, always read labels before purchasing any product and choose the natural alternative whenever possible.

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The average male uses up to nine personal care products every day, ranging from shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant to sunscreen and soap. Women are even more at risk of being exposed to dangerous chemicals, as they usually use 15 or more products daily, including makeup and anti-aging creams, which can contain an average of up to 168 different chemicals. Research has shown that these chemicals can even be passed on to the unborn child of a pregnant woman – so far, more than 300 different contaminants have been detected in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. 

How do these chemicals harm you? 

While some chemicals might be harmless to humans, others are severely hazardous and can cause irreparable damage. These are some of the chemicals you should avoid:

• Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that has also been linked to spontaneous abortion and low birth weight. It is commonly used as a preservative to kill and inhibit the growth of microorganisms in a wide range of personal care products, from cosmetics, soaps, and shampoos to nail polishes and hair gels. 
• Benzoyl Peroxide, a chemical that is often present in acne products. According to the MSDS it might be a tumor promoter that acts as a mutagen and produces DNA cell damage.
• Parabens are present in around 85% of all cosmetics. They have been found in breast cancer tumors and may contribute to sterility in males, hormone imbalance, and early puberty. Despite these health risks, they do not need to be listed as ingredients on the product label. 
• Tridosan is a synthetic antibacterial ingredient and EPA-registered pesticide that is suspected of being a major cause of cancer in humans and a severe threat to the environment.

Neem vs. Chemicals 

Neem is an ancient tree that has been used as a medicinal plant for thousands of years. Offering thousands of health benefits without any negative side effects, neem can be used as an effective replacement for the above mentioned chemicals. 

How can you start integrating neem into your daily routine? How about changing your habit of relying on acne products containing Benzoyl Peroxide and trying a natural solution like neem instead? With its antibacterial and antiseptic effects, neem is a great way to treat and prevent acne. Rich in Omega 3 & 6 and vitamin E, neem will leave your skin feeling hydrated like never before and improve its elasticity.

With its thousands of healing properties, neem truly has the potential to replace the harmful chemicals used in cosmetics. Think about all the chemicals you are using in your daily routine and putting on your skin and switch to one of nature’s best solutions: neem!

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The impacts of fossil fuels

Most fossil fuels are made through geological processes that extract oils such as coal or petroleum from many kilometers underground, breaking some of the layers of the subsoil and often contaminating them with non-intentional spills. But what happens when these spills happen at sea? Thousands of gallons of water get contaminated, exterminating the home of numerous species. In order to stop harming our ecosystem in such a drastic way, we need to stop supporting the use of fossil fuels and instead demand a sustainable alternative to these harmful combustibles: biofuels.

What is biofuel?

Biofuel is an environmentally friendly fossil fuel and a strong enough source of energy to become the main combustible of our everyday life. It is a renewable fuel made from contemporary biological processes, that does not emit harmful fumes and cause environmental pollution. Therefore, biofuel needs to become an essential part of our everyday life; not only to stop damaging our planet, but also to use a source of energy that is completely renewable.

Neem’s viability for biofuel production

Neem is playing an important role in the development of sustainable alternatives to commonly-used contaminating fuels. According to a study published by Scientists from Anna University, neem has the potential to be used for the production of biodiesel, as its seeds contain 45% oil, which could very easily be used as vegetable oil for engine fuels. Not only is neem a cleaner source for generating fuels, it is also a cheaper one. What’s more, experiments demonstrated that biodiesel produced using neem oil could significantly reduce smoke and carbon monoxide emissions! Once again, neem is showing great potential to be used as an environmentally friendly alternative that will help create a greener environment in the future.

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Hand sanitizers are found everywhere, from hospitals to schools to shopping centers. However, many of the typical sanitizers contain ingredients that kill all bacteria on the application area, good and bad. Additionally, they are often made with alcohol, which is a major deterrent for their use in schools and around children.

Instead, herbal, natural sanitizers are quickly gaining popularity. Neem is one of the most important natural ingredients that should be included in these sanitizers. Unfortunately, there are still not yet many products that include neem, which means that you’ll have to make your own natural hand sanitizer with neem! How? Use the following ingredients:

Neem Hand Sanitizer

½ cup of aloe vera
1 ½ teaspoon of witch hazel
15 drops tea tree oil
5 drops essential oil (lavender, peppermint, etc)
¼ cup neem leaves, crushed and/or 10 drops neem extract

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The countries that have shown major organic farmland growth are the United States, with a 30% increase, and India, with a 64% increase. Spain and France also both increased their organic farmland by 0.3 million hectares. Oceania and Europe have shown the highest growth over the past ten years, as well as between 2014-2015, at 22.8% and 12.7%. In 2015, Europe had over 12.7 million hectares of organic farms, 4x that of North America. The number of organic farmers has increased to 2.4 million, up 7.2% from 2014. From these figures, it is easy to see that organic farmland is increasing in huge rates, riding the wave of consumer demand for organic food.

Globally, the organic market reached $86 billion USD in 2016. Which countries have the highest demand for organic food? The United States holds the largest market share at $41 billion, followed by Germany and France. While these countries claim the biggest shares of the market, Spain and Denmark’s organic markets also showed impressive growth last year at 24.8% and 8.4% respectively. Surprisingly, Switzerland spends the most on organic food per person at $289 per year.

Germany in particular has seen a dramatic increase in demand for organically produced, sustainable food. Since 2000, the amount of organic farms has more than doubled to 27,132. This comes as no surprise as the country continues to lead Europe in organic food sales, totalling $9 billion in 2014 even though Europe’s organic farmland represents only 5.7% of the total. Germany ultimately wants 20% of all agricultural land to be organic.

With these steady increases in the prevalence of organic farmland, organic farming tools, pesticides, and fertilizers have increased in demand. One such tool is the neem tree. By using neem-based pesticides and fertilizers, farmers can produce nutrient-rich organic food in sustainable ways that is safe for the soil, water, pollinators, and you!

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Neem contains a high amount of chlorophyll, which works to neutralize odors like sweat or halitosis and can even be used to prevent bad breath! An antibacterial against the microbe E. faecalis, found in the root canal, neem is also effective in treating gingivitis. When neem extract was tested to determine its effectiveness for treating this condition, 80% of participants showed lower levels of bacteria, healthier gums, and no bad breath!

For thousands of years, neem twigs have been used as a natural toothbrush in India. By chewing on neem sticks, people have kept their mouth healthy, clean, and beautiful! Now, this amazing phenomenon is being researched more and more, and you can find more oral hygiene products in stores with neem as the major ingredient.

If you can’t find a natural neem toothpaste that you love, you can easily make your own! Try the recipe below and enjoy the amazing benefits of this magnificent tree.

Neem Tooth Powder:

4 tablespoons bentonite clay
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon neem powder
½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground clove powder
1 teaspoon stevia powder (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until the mixture becomes a fine, light powder. Store in an airtight container.

To use, add ¼ teaspoon to your wet toothbrush and brush thoroughly for 2–3 minutes.

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One of the top agricultural producers in the United States, California produces almost 50% of the fruits, nuts, and vegetables in the US and almost all almonds, artichokes, raisins, olives, and pistachios. The 76,000 farms in this region are vital in strengthening US food security, which makes it necessary to develop and implement sustainable production strategies.

One of the best solutions for this is healthy soil. Why? Because when soil is healthy, it stores more carbon. If there is more carbon in the soil, it means that plants are receiving more carbon and are growing healthier, stronger, and filled with more nutrients!

Therefore, the California Healthy Soils Initiative will work to make agricultural land – over a quarter of California’s land – healthy again! Starting this summer, the Initiative will provide grants to farmers who are working to make their practices more sustainable. This is achieved through composting, organic fertilizer, or cover crops! Under this initiative, over 12 million tons of compostable waste that California typically designates to landfills will be used in a sustainable way. Famers will also be incentivized to increase their yields, reduce water use, and protect the planet through the grants provided in the program. Neem can also play an integral part in this initiative. When neem cake is used as a fertilizer, it increases soil health, fertility, carbon content, and nutrient content, providing a natural and sustainable way to nourish the soil!

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Let’s look at a bottle of toner. You’ve finished half of it, but the other half is old and now smells bad. You pour it down the drain.

Your discarded toner goes to the waste water system, or a local treatment plant – which filters the water. The chemicals in your toner aren’t filtered and end up in the surface and ground water, slowly but surely accumulating over years.

Many pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been labeled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as “emerging contaminants of concern” for fish and aquatic life. With potentially irreversible effects on our environment as they accumulate and become more and more toxic, these chemicals have long-term effects on the endocrine system in fish, leading to reproductive and behavioral disorders as well as lowered immune system functionality. The poisoned fish, with high traces of these toxic chemicals, make it into your food supply. You eat these fish and the chemicals enter your body, potentially causing you harm.

Some of these potentially dangerous chemicals are:

Parabens: these preservatives are endocrine disruptors and found in almost all cosmetic and personal care products.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: is used to create lather in shampoos, body washes, and face washes, but is an environmental toxin (according to the Environmental Working Group). As it is a pesticide, it also causes damage to your internal organs.

Phthalates: the most frequent chemical found in fish samples and fragrances, these are endocrine disrupters and there is no requirement for them to be mentioned on labels.

What can you do? Support and buy organic products with only truly natural ingredients that you can pronounce. Instead of introducing more potentially lethal chemicals into the drain every time you take a shower or wash your hands, introduce something like neem, which is harmless, and an amazing skin care ingredient, to you, wildlife, and the environment!

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What are neonicotinoids? They are a type of synthetic chemical that poisons the whole plant system. Predominately altering the vascular system of the plant, these toxic chemicals have been found to harm bees and other pollinators due to residue in the pollen, nectar, and dew drops. Shown to be highly resilient, these chemicals have a half-life of up to 15 years. The European Commission has been extremely concerned over the past decade, even limiting neonicotinoid use due to its link with decreasing pollinator habitats. They have even introduced a proposal to completely ban these pesticides across commercial agriculture in Europe. Canada has also proposed a ban on a type of these chemicals, imidacloprids, because it is becoming increasingly clear that its use is not sustainable for the environment at the present rate of use. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agree that pesticides harm bees, but have only changed pesticide labels so they better protect bees by being clearer in their directions for application.

While some US agencies not taking the immense scientific evidence into account when determining environmental policies, many corporations have decided to listen to and protect consumers and the environment. In April 2015, Lowe’s announced they would phase out neonics over the next two years. Home Depot made the same announcement in 2016, and Aldi supermarkets was the first European retailer to ban pesticides shown to be toxic to bees that same year. In 2016, Scotts Miracle Gro, a major pesticide manufacturer, also declared the immediate phasing out of neonicotinoid pesticides from its products. Now, Walmart and True Value are joining in the fight against neonics. They will begin to stop selling these dangerous pesticides starting in May 2017.

Fortunately, there are many other natural options that consumers can use. Beyond Pesticides, a nonprofit that promotes the safe switch to a world free of synthetic pesticides, released an online toolkit called The Well Stocked Hardware Store. This has  helped lead consumers to environmentally friendly pesticides they could use for their personal needs. Neem oil is listed as an effective insecticide and fungicide, two applications for which neem is extremely viable.

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Some of the things that trees improve in urban areas:

• Mental health
• Water flow and water quality
• Carbon sequestration
• Air cleanliness and quality
• Temperature
• Biodiversity

Improves mental health: 

According to the UNFAO, urban trees improve mental health because they improve energy levels and recovery speeds, while decreasing blood pressure and stress levels. Neem trees go one step further: not only does their presence improve mental health, but consuming neem decreases blood pressure and when applied to wounds, neem aids in recovery by providing vital nutrients that the skin needs to heal.

Regulates water flow and improves water quality:

The neem tree has extensive roots and is able to grow in drought-like conditions, which is why it is an excellent option to increase green cover in hot, dry climates. The extensive root system does not just take from the ground, but gives back, making the soil healthier and more fertile.

Absorbs carbon dioxide in the air and filter for pollutants:

Neem is one of the best tree species at sequestering carbon from the air, able to fix carbon at a rate of 14 mol of CO2 m-1 sec-1, enough to eliminate 12.27 tons of carbon per year! Neem also serves as a filter for pollutants in the air and cleanses your skin and body of the toxins it absorbs from living in urban areas.

Cools the air:

In India and Africa, the wide canopy neem trees offer shade and cooler temperatures in urban areas. Some places have shown a difference of around 15ºF under the neem tree canopy when compared to the surrounding temperature. Checkout profilebusinessphotography.com. In places where it can often reach 110ºF, this decrease in temperature is welcomed and often a relief for many people.

Provides habitats to increase urban biodiversity: 

Neem can be home to many different animals, helping to increase biodiversity.

The magnificent neem tree also provides natural tools that are safe to use, such as its effectiveness as a natural biopesticide.

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The drug industry has capitalized on this problem, which some studies say is due to environmental exposures, such as synthetic pesticides, by creating horribly expensive synthetic drugs to relieve a problem that other synthetics have caused. Typical synthetic drugs that are marketed to treat eczema can often cost more that $50,000 per year! A new one is about to be released that has a slightly lower price tag – $37,000 per year. What if people can’t pay for these synthetics or find that they don’t work, but still need relief to live their lives?

Usually, nature can solve mankind’s problems. In this case, solving a problem caused by synthetics with a synthetic solution may not be the most economically feasible for the average consumer. Instead, there are many plant-based, natural solutions to skin problems. One of the most powerful is neem. Neem can be used to treat normal skin to severe eczema and psoriasis, topically, also view cheap moving companies in San Diego. The advantages of neem is that it contains over 150 compounds, some of them unique to neem, that make it an extremely effective and safe ingredient for moisturizing and relieving the skin. Additionally, it is antibacterial, protecting damaged skin from bacteria and infections! Have you tried neem yet?

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How is neem an effective hair care ingredient? For one, it is all-natural. Many shampoos and conditioners are packed with synthetic chemicals, often drying out and damaging your hair. Additionally, many of those synthetics are dangerous to your health. None of these risks apply to neem.

Neem is packed full of antioxidants, which protect the scalp from hair-thinning damage caused by free radicals. Neem also supports healthy cell division, stimulating hair growth and strength. When regularly applied to your hair, neem will quickly improve thickness, growth, strength and moisture.

Neem even contains multiple fatty acids, such as linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids, that nourish and condition the scalp and hair. These help to balance the pH of the scalp, further moisturizing your scalp and hair. This revitalizes dry, under-nourished hair to a shiny, silky state!

The benefits go on – neem is an antifungal and anti-inflammatory that is highly effective against candida, one of the major causes of dandruff. It relieves inflammation associated with a flakey scalp and clears away all bad bacteria.

Instead of using harsh, dangerous chemicals in your daily routine, try using neem-based shampoos and conditioners. Even using pure neem oil works, or else make an all-natural neem shampoo yourself to enjoy all the benefits that this amazing tree has to offer!

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Today, Cuba has 383,000 organic farms spanning 50,000 hectares. The most productive of these farms yield up to 20 kg of food per square meter every year. An incredible feat, not only because this is one of the highest rates of food production in the world, but also due to the fact that the country achieved this without using any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers!

With the unavailability of chemical imports, Cuba turned to more sustainable methods. Instead of growing sugarcane, people began to grow food crops and use oxen instead of tractors. They became experts in vermicomposting, crop rotation, soil conservation, and utilizing biopesticides, like neem. Neem trees were grown in large farms around the country and were used to recover over 1,000 hectares of land that were once eroded by sugarcane plantations.

This transformed the nation. With higher food production, calorie intake was able to return to a sustainable, healthy level. Cuban organic farmers produce 65% of the country’s food on just 25% of the land, truly achieving sustainable development with the help of the neem tree! However, today, this achievement may be at risk due to less strict trade embargoes, tempting farmers with synthetic inputs that may synthetically increase yields in the short term, but will eventually erode and degrade the soil and the environment.

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