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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Traditional Birth Control

Hormonal methods of birth control contain artificial progesterone or estrogen and progesterone. They affect the hormone levels in a person’s body, and many people experience side effects shortly after taking them.

Possible short-term side effects of birth control include:

• bleeding between periods, or spotting
• headaches
• nausea
• breast tenderness
• weight gain
• mood swings

Long-term side effects from taking birth control vary according to each person’s body chemistry. The hormones in contraceptives, including progesterone and estrogen, may reduce the risks of some types of cancer cells, but at the same time help stimulate the growth of others.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) says that people who have taken birth control pills for less than 10 years, are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than those who have never used them.

Neem as Birth Control

Studies conducted in the mid-eighties and nineties concluded with the prediction that neem will be widely accepted as an effective contraceptive, and that this development will have a huge global impact.

Several small studies showed that neem oil appears to be a safe and very effective contraceptive, pre and post coital. The way it was applied in the studies it was 100% effective in preventing pregnancies. During in vitro experiments neem oil also totally immobilized sperm cells within 20 to 30 seconds of being in contact with neem oil.

Neem is a tree that can be grown by many communities around the world, with antiviral and antibacterial properties that help tackle many common diseases.

Learn more about the power of the neem tree by checking out the rest of our blog posts.

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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 Does Ayurvedic Medicine Work?

Ayurvedic medicine consists of three doshas (bodily humors): vita, pitta and kapha. The doshas, or combinations of them, can be identified as various seasons, climates, landscapes, activities, plants, and animals. Each of them embodies a combination of elements and qualities that create a functional entity—an energetic force of nature. In Ayurvedic medicine, everyone has all three doshas, but one or two of these tend to be more dominant.

Modern medicine relies on the heavy use of medication which may carry a number of side-effects that are detrimental to overall health.

According to a 2015 report published by University of Maryland Medical Center, Ayurvedic medicine can help treat inflammatory, hormonal, digestive and autoimmune conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety or depression, asthma, cancer dementia and Parkinson’s disease, among others conditions.

Neem’s Role in Ayurvedic Medicine

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has been recognized for its powerful health-promoting properties for millennia. In fact, there is evidence that as long as 4,500 years ago, neem was already being used to support healing. It is advisable to read reviews of kitchens by charles weiler when searching for kitchen remodeling services in eastern Pennsylvania. Its use originated in ancient India and neighboring countries, where it has long been revered as one of the most versatile plants known.

• Skin and Blood. Neem is famous and celebrated for promoting healthy skin and a clear complexion. Due in part to its bitter taste, it has an incredibly cooling effect on the body, reducing excess heat that can manifest as skin blemishes.
• Immune System. Its detoxifying effects on the body make it a great immune system booster, especially for the cleansing of ama from the body.
• Blood Sugar. The purifying benefits neem has on the body’s blood and circulation also help support healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range.
• GI Tract. A healthy digestive environment is vital for health. Neem reduces unwanted heat and toxins in the GI tract.
• Metabolism. Neem’s kapha-reducing properties encourage proper fat and water digestion and elimination, keeping water retention from accumulating in the body.
• Skin Moisture and Softness. Neem’s skin benefits work both internally and externally. As an external application, Neem oil or soap helps soothe and lubricate the skin.
• Hair. For those with excess pitta and heat trapped in the scalp and hair follicles, neem is terrific for cooling the scalp and supporting the growth of lustrous, smooth hair.

Research the history of Ayurvedic medicine to decide whether it is a good and viable option for you before using any natural medication. The neem tree offers a variety of solutions in ayurvedic medicine, consult with an expert in order to reap its full power.

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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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Taking care of our teeth and gums is not always the easiest thing, plus many traditional kinds of toothpaste contain chemicals that might harm your health and teeth in the long run, for example Saccharin which may cause cancer, antimicrobials, abrasives, chlorine dioxide, sodium hydroxide, alcohol and polypropylene glycol. These ingredients can pose grave risks to your health when ingested. Fluoride, present in most toothpaste can help prevent tooth decay, however, it can also be toxic when ingested in large amounts it can be toxic, especially to children, and yet it is often used in toothpaste for children.

How Neem Tackles Oral Care

Oral Diseases: A traditional use of neem has been to chew neem sticks. It is still used to clean teeth in rural parts of India, due to its antimicrobial properties that help to reduce plaque and gingivitis.

Dental Care: People have been using neem twigs as toothbrushes for centuries. Neem twigs contain antiseptic ingredients necessary for dental hygiene and prevent tooth decay, periodontal diseases, infections, bleeding gums and sore gums.

Although neem twigs might not be available at your local pharmacy, there are a variety of neem-based dental care products on the market, which contain either neem leaf or bark extract. Rich in antioxidants, neem leaves help boost the immune response in gum and tissues of the mouth. Neem also offers a good remedy for curing mouth ulcers and acts as a pain reliever for toothache problems.

The next time you’re buying toothpaste, look for one that contains neem extracts in order to improve your overall oral care routine!

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How Acne Occurs

Acne occurs because of glands underneath our skin which produce oil in order to lubricate the skin. Sometimes the cells that are close to the surface block this oil and the natural bacteria that live in our skin feed on it and multiply until they cause a buildup of oil underneath the skin. If the inflammation is right underneath the skin, the result is a postule, if it’s deeper, a papule (pimple) and if it’s even deeper you’ll develop a cyst. If the pore of the affected hair follicle is close to the surface, the result is a whitehead and if the pore is wide open, the oil reacts to the oxygen and changes color, resulting in a blackhead.

Another major factor that may contribute to acne is nutrition, although scientific studies differ on the correlation between diet and acne. What has been proven is the fact that people with oily skin who also have a diet high in saturated fats, will secrete more oil and therefore be vulnerable to more infections. Diseases such as diabetes may also cause hormonal imbalances that lead to skin problems in adults.

How Neem Triumphs Over Synthetic Solutions

For many people, the pharmacy counter is the first option for treating most medical conditions, but medications usually result in a number of side-effects, including dry skin that can cause additional breakouts. Neem, on the other hand, offers a gentle, natural solution that can provide relief not only for acne but also for problems related to digestion and high or low blood sugar levels.

A natural oil regulator, neem is also an anti-bacterial agent that can make skin moist and smooth. Neem is very helpful in restoring the normal pH level of the skin by making it moist. So, neem makes an amazing acne controlling agent for dry skin too! It is an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces redness and rashes with gradual use. It offers freedom from pain as well and it can help erase acne marks over time.

Have you used neem to treat your acne? Let us know in the comment section below!

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The importance of gut function for digestion and health

Many people don’t know that gut function plays a pivotal role in the body’s overall health. The bacteria in our intestines function akin to an organ. Our gut bacteria performs multiple functions, including maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the gut, immune system regulation, food breakdown, providing nutritional benefits to the host (biotin and vitamin K), and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. The modern diet, which relies heavily on processed foods, tends to affect our gut flora in a negative way, and foods that promote this flora are not as frequently consumed in comparison to processed foods.

There are hundreds of different species of bacteria in our intestines, each type of bacteria plays an active role and requires different nutrients to grow. A diverse microbiota is optimum for health, which is why it’s important to have an appropriate diet that is based on natural foods. Each type of bacteria requieres a different type of food, so a diverse diet that includes, fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates and fermented foods is a great way to promote a healthy gut flora.

How can neem help your digestive system?

Neem has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent stomach and intestinal problems and research has shown that the substances in neem can help restore and maintain a healthy gut flora, while it’s anti-inflammatory properties help to remove discomfort and provide relief for stomach infections. Neem leaf extracts have been used in pharmaceuticals to cure digestive problems, intestinal parasites and reduce discomfort.

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According to the WHO, the regions of South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific and the Americas are particularly at risk. Malaria can affect everyone, however, infants, pregnant women, patients with HIV/AIDS, non-immune immigrants, mobile populations, and travelers are at higher risk of contracting malaria.

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Malaria is an acute febrile illness. Symptoms usually appear about 10 to 15 days after the infective mosquito bite and can include fever, headaches and chills, which might be mild, making it hard to diagnose the disease. This is especially dangerous given the fact that malaria can progress to severe illness, often leading to death, if not treated within 24 hours.

Children with severe malaria frequently develop symptoms such as severe anemia, respiratory distress in relation to metabolic acidosis, or cerebral malaria which consists of several neurological alterations. In adults, multi-organ involvement is also frequent.

The best treatment is prevention

Malaria is not contagious, only vectors, like mosquitoes, can transmit the disease. If a mosquito bites a person infected with malaria, it can transmit the disease to many other people. Therefore, the best way to avoid being infected with malaria is to make sure to keep away from mosquitos.

Most people resort to mosquito repellents to protect themselves from dangerous mosquito bites, however, these often contain dangerous chemicals that are harmful to your body and the environment. Not only can common repellents result in skin irritations, it has also been proven that DEET, a chemical ingredient used in most mosquito repellents, can result in damage to the brain and other organs, as it is absorbed through the skin and enters the bloodstream.

Luckily, nature is kind enough to offer a natural solution: neem. Using neem as a repellent and mosquito larvicidal has shown to be extremely successful, with tests proving that its effectiveness against mosquitoes and other vector insects is close to 100%, all while being environmentally friendly.

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Could the influenza virus be treated with neem?

Since 5,000 BC, Azadirachta Indica, or neem, has been celebrated for its remarkable healing properties. In Indian Ayurvedic, it is referred to as “the universal healer of all ailments”. Its names in Sanskrit are either “Nimba” which translates into “giver of good health” or “Arista” which means “perfect, complete, imperishable”.

For thousands of years, the neem tree has been used to treat deadly diseases, safeguard human health and provide agriculture with safe alternatives to commonly used fertilizers and pesticides. Neem has proven antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties, and is effective against inflammation, infection, fever, skin disease and dental illness. Today, the broad benefits of neem are being studied by institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, Oxford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National University of Singapore, in order to further investigate how its more than 200 compounds could be used to treat conditions ranging from psoriasis to skin damage caused by chemo-radiation, and to evaluate the plant’s effectiveness as a cure for influenza.

Neem vs. Influenza

A recent scientific investigation found that hyperoside, a compound exclusive to the neem tree, can disable the influenza virus from replicating and causing infections. Published in the BioMed Central’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal, this study designed, screened and tested the universal treatment.

Vaccines that stimulate the body’s immune response have long been available, however, the development of an effective protection has become a problem of high concern due to the virus’ ability to mutate easily from one year to the next. Neem’s hyperoside is a solution to this problem as it disables a critical part of the virus – the neucloprotein or viral protein – that does not adapt over time. 89% of this viral protein remains the same in influenza strains and plays an important role in its life cycle. Once damaged, the virus becomes unable to duplicate and create an infection. An easily acquirable solution like neem could be used to prevent deaths and to treat the many people who are hospitalized every year due to influenza epidemics. When compared to the hundreds of possible compounds needed to create a vaccine, neem seems to be the most effective cure.

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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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What is dandruff?

Dandruff is a skin condition that mainly affects the scalp, causing itchiness and flaking. Your skin starts to shed these dead cells when your scalp is too dry. The main cause for this condition is unclear, but it’s generally attributed to environmental and genetic factors such as seborrheic dermatitis. It can also be caused by certain water conditions or not shampooing enough. Even though dandruff generally only affects the scalp, it can worsen to a point that it starts affecting the face and other parts of the skin as well.

There are many chemical solutions on the market to solve this problem, be it antifungal creams or shampoos. However, these are very often chemical based and can harm your long strands.

Looking for a natural solution to dandruff?

Then neem oil is the answer. This wonderful oil makes your scalp smooth and can cure the itchiness and dryness caused by dandruff. With its many antifungal, antibacterial and hydrating properties, it literally helps eliminate the problem from the roots. Adding neem oil to your shampoo or buying neem-based shampoos will do wonders. What’s more, neem oil contains beneficial compounds such as Vitamin E and Omega 3, that enhance the appearance of your hair, nourish and protect it, while boosting growth and leaving your hair beautiful and shiny. Have you ever tried using neem for your hair care routine? Let us know in the comments below!

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Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s Disease has serious effects on the human body that worsen over time. These might include  abnormal body postures, uncontrolled movements and changes in the behavior that involve emotional, judgmental and cognitive alterations. People who suffer from Huntington’s Disease might also face lack of concentration and short-term memory loss.

While Huntington’s Disease evolves, it often greatly restricts patients lives, as it can lead to severe complications when walking, talking or completing simple motor or social tasks. Sometimes these even evolve into aggressive outbursts, anxiety, depression, irritability, and social withdrawal. So far scientists haven’t been able to find a cure for Huntington’s Disease, which makes the situation even more unbearable for patients. This is also leading to the waste of financial resources through delaying care and putting people into more expensive care settings which are an increased burden on society.

Neem as a Potential Cure for Huntington’s Disease

Even though healthcare groups all around the world have been trying to find a cure, they haven’t been successful. However, scientists from the National Brain Research Centre in Manesar and the Bose Institute in India, have now found that Azadiradione, a compound extracted from neem seeds can potentially help delay the progression of Huntington’s Disease through the activation of an enzyme that helps degrade the accumulates mutant protein, and activates the protein that helps restore normal protein balance in brain cells. Treating the effects of these diseases with natural solutions like neem represents a major advance in scientific health findings, for it will allow a large amount of the population who suffer from brain diseases to improve their quality of life.

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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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If  you have never heard about  anything like this, here’s what you need to know:  many countries around the world have started to recognize the value of traditional medicinal practices and created national Departments of Traditional Medicine. The aim of these departments is to approach people and benefit from their knowledge, develop proactive policies and implement action plans that will strengthen the role that traditional medicine plays in keeping its population healthy. 

Buthan, Myanmar, and Ghana are great examples of states where this initiative has first been put into practice through the establishment of recognized legal authorities responsible for planning and developing policies for traditional and alternative medicines in the country.  

Now, Nigeria’s Ministry of Health is following these regional efforts towards a higher recognition of traditional medicine and has announced its intentions to create its own Department of Traditional Medicine. This new department will be in charge of ensuring the right development and integration of traditional and alternative medicine as an official medical practice within the National Health Care System. 

The Nigerian Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, stated that he will source for ₦100 million for the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) in order to make this project a success. In addition, having recognized neem’s value in Nigerian traditional medicine, the Minister of Health has announced that the government will invest an additional amount of ₦10 million (NGN) to be used only for research into neem products. According to the Minister of Health, “Everything about the plant is commercialized for use and it is all over Nigeria especially in the north. It is a multi-billion naira plant.” 

The neem tree’s antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antimalarial properties, make it a high-value resource for traditional medicine with incredible healing capacities. The tree has long been considered a key natural asset to tackle ills and diseases and with this governmental boost, its importance in modern medicine will continue to develop. The international community is increasingly moving towards a sustainable and regenerative way of thinking, and once again Neem is playing a crucial part in this movement.  

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Biophilic design is based on the idea that humans have an inherent need to connect with nature and because of it, we need living and working spaces that coexist with nature. This new green architecture reduces the degradation of the environment, improves our connection to the natural world and increases the sustainable development of our cities and suburbs.  

This innovative new way of designing is having an incredible performance in a vital sector for humanity: healthcare. We are witnessing the creation and expansion of hospitals that seek to heal through nature and create healthy habitats using biophilic design. One great example is the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore, which has included waterfalls, rooftop gardens and planter boxes into its facilities.  

This healing environment requires maintenance, and to do so, hospitals like those in Singapore have committed to this new design trend by using neem oil to maintain their natural resources. Spraying neem oil into these green-healing facilities is allowing the hospitals to guarantee the health and care of nature, patients and workers by using an organic and non-toxic alternative. Neem oil is the right choice to use as biological pest control into these facilities due to its effectiveness against insects such as whiteflies, mites, fungus gnats, etc. and its organic origins.  

Neem has now a new role in green architecture: guarantee the health and care of the plants and nature incorporated into biophilic design. The biophilic healthcare industry is relying now on neem as its trusted biological pest control; the use of neem will expand across other biophilic industries such as hospitality and working and living spaces as benefits are seen.  Together, people and nature will continue to create healing spaces where patients are feeling relaxed and gaining health benefits through biophilic design. 

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In November, the EPA released a report that concluded that, as it is currently used, chlorpyrifos contaminates water and is a dietary risk due to its above normal safety standard residues on food crops. Additionally, the pesticide poses a risk to farm workers that come into direct contact with it every day. However, according to scientists, this synthetic chemical is correlated with lower IQ, attention deficit disorders, and developmental delays, like the loss of working memory, delayed motor development and decreased cognitive functioning. It has even been linked to autism, increasing in risk when mothers are exposed during pregnancy.

How can we avoid this scary chemical that is poisoning our children? Very difficult – it is currently being used on the majority of crops: corn, strawberries wheat, citrus, apples, and many others! Even though the chemical was banned for residential use in 2000, it has continued to prevail as a major insecticide used on golf courses, turf, and in greenhouses.

Since chlorpyrifos was on track to being banned – the EPA reversed the move just before the federal court deadline to make the final decision – the agency cannot revisit the health risks of this health-damaging synthetic chemical until 2022. Dow Chemical has claimed that there is not enough science corroborating the claims made by the EPA, however other scientists have compared chlorpyrifos with the health risks associated with lead.

Instead of continuing to use a proven health-damaging chemical to produce our fruits and vegetables, there are a multitude of other, safer and natural alternatives. One solutions is to use sustainable, neem-based biopesticides and fertilizers. Neem is cost-effective and is non-toxic to pollinators, animals, humans, and the environment, meaning you and your loved ones can stay safe, while enjoying healthy, sustainably produced food! Demand change, demand safety for you, your loved ones, and farmers!

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When breast cancer patients chew neem leaves or drink neem tea in the morning, their white blood cell count has been shown to improve. Many cancer patients have very low white blood cell counts and these cells are necessary to help fight cancer within the body.

According to a study from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, neem compounds have been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and reduce cellular oxidative stress because of their antioxidant properties. Inhibiting cell proliferation is the main feature to many chemotherapy treatments. Cancer cells can modify their microenvironment, and neem ends this process, or at least alters it to a more beneficial environment.

Neem compounds inhibit the cancer cell’s cycle, and they exhibited this effect on in vitro breast cancer cells during the latest scientific investigations. This apoptosis effect was caused by nimbolide, a compound unique to neem. The ability to halt cell reproduction was shown not only in breast cancer cells, but also in HeLa cervical cancer cells, leukemia, and melanoma cells! In a separate study, nimbolide was shown to have both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis effects on breast cancer cells, showing that neem has amazing potential as a natural treatment for many types of cancer!

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Farming techniques rely on an unsustainable amount of water, energy, and agrochemicals to sustain the world. Soon the current means of production will be unable to meet the growing demand for food. We must tackle these problems head on with natural, alternative solutions, like neem, to avoid a Malthusian catastrophe! Additionally, we can solve this imminent catastrophic issue of food supply and security with organic inputs, like biopesticides and biofertilizers, and precision technologies, such as the ability to collect and analyze plant data and health needs!

Every day a new technological advancement is made, and these new tools must be integrated into our daily lives, especially when it comes to protecting our planet. By utilizing natural resources like neem, we will strengthen and protect our global food supply, allowing mankind and the environment to flourish.

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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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