TEXT M.M.ALAM

VIDEO JAVED IQBAL

KARACHI: Cozily sitting in his drawing room John Hopkins graduate Dr. Behrouz Hashim talked exclusively to NewsPakistan.TV about the impact of Neem tree on the public health.

Behrouz speaking about the innumerable benefits of trees informed that Neem trees are the best to escape from heat wave. He went on to tell that temperature in Neem’s shadow is ten degrees lower than the surroundings. Under other trees temperature is only three to four degrees lower.

Dr. said that if the temperature sours to 47 degrees C it will be only 37 degrees under the Neem tree and thus heat stroke can’t affect you. He further told that one suffers from three problems if  exposed to temperature over 37 degrees:  i) Dehydration that means release of liquid from body in the form of sweat; ii) Multi-functional salts in blood like sodium, potassium  and chloride are also drained from the body; iii) And the worst of all our blood gets thicker and turns into clots.

He told that those clots, travelling through veins, reach the brain. As a result the flow of blood stops and one experiences heat stroke. It can affect either right or left side of the body: “If someone, suffering from heatstroke, falls down or gets unconscious, he must be provided water within an hour; his body should be placed under shadow and cooled down”.

Warning against plantation of Conocarpus trees Dr. Behrouz Hashim said: “I would never recommend planting of conocarpus. In the forestry lexicology   it is called Ethiopia’s Evil Tree”.

He told that i) Conocarpus does not need much water to grow; ii) Conocarpus grows better on saline terrain; iii) Conocarpus grows very fast. Dr. further went on to warn that a fungus called aflotoxin grows beneath its leaves. It causes liver cancer called hepatoma: “Aflotoxin also aggravates asthma that has increased 16% since introduction of Conocarpus in Pakistan”.

 Benefits of Neem Tree: 

The use of neem as a medicinal herb dates back over 5,000 years. Today it’s benefits have been proven by scientific research and clinical trials. And, although few of us have access to a neem tree, it can be purchased in the form of oil, powder and pills.
•    To give you an idea of the healing powers of the neem tree, here are a fewnames that the people of India have given it, “Divine Tree”, “Village Pharmacy”, “Heal All” and “Nature’s Drugstore”. With the almost ending list of uses for neem, I think it could be called, ” The Tree of Life”!
•    In treating diabetes, neem has been found to actually reduce the insulin requirements by as much as 50% without altering the blood glucose levels. Take 3 to 5 drops internally each day.
•    Neem cleanses the blood, stimulates antibody protection and strengthens the immune system which improves the bodies resistance to many diseases.
•    Used as a mouth wash it treats infections, mouth ulcers, bleeding sore gums and will even help prevent tooth decay!
•    For pink eye the juice of neem leaves can be used as eye drops, warm 5-10 ml and apply several drops.
•    To treat jaundice, mix 30 ml of neem juice with 15 ml of honey, take on an empty stomach for seven days.
•    If you suffer from burning sensations and excessive sweating, add 5 to 10 drops of neem oil in a glass of milk before going to bed.
•    Proclaimed the best product available in treating psoriasis, 2 capsules should be taken three times daily after meals with a glass of water.
•    Another way to treat psoriasis as well as eczema, skin ulcers, fungal conditions, cold sores and athletes foot, is to mix 1 tablespoon neem oil and 4 ounces of olive oil. This should be applied at least twice daily to the affected areas.
•    For acne problems take 2 capsules twice daily, you will start to see results within a few days.
•    To remove moles and warts, one drop of undiluted neem oil should be directly to the mole or wart and then covered with a small bandage. The procedure should be repeated daily using fresh oil and clean bandage.
•    For sinusitis, plain pure neem oil can be used as nasal drops. Use tow drops twice daily, morning and evening.
•    For athletes foot, soak feet in warm water with 15 ml of neem oil.
•    Neem oil will quickly stop earaches, just warm some oil and apply a few drops into the ear.
•    For hemorrhoids, apply some neem oil to a cotton ball and gently rub for about a week. If preferred a paste can be made by adding a small amount of olive oil or Aloe Vera oil until desired consistency is reached.
•    To prevent hair loss and enhance growth, mix a few drops of neem oil with coconut or olive oil and massage into scalp. This will even prevent your hair from graying!
•    Neem oil can be applied to cuts and abrasions to help them heal quickly. Neem increases blood flow which aids in creating the collagen fibers that helps the wounds to close.
•    As a treatment for burns and even sunburn, neem oil can kill the bacteria, reduce the pain and stimulate the immune system. By stimulating the immune system it speeds up the healing process and there is less scarring.
•    To kill head lice, neem oil should be massaged into the scalp and left on over night. Shampoo your hair as usual the next morning.
•    Neem detoxifies the body and helps maintain healthy circulatory systems, digestive and respiratory systems and helps to keep the urinary tract free of infections.
•    Scientific evidence has shown that neem is valuable in boosting the bodies immune system. A healthier immune system helps your body in fighting off many illness and diseases.
•    Laboratory studies have proven neem to be effective in treating the symptoms of food poisoning associated with both salmonella and staphylococcus. Neem extracts kill the salmonella bacteria and flush it out of your system, reducing the severity and length of the ailment.
•    A neem paste applied directly to the sores caused by chicken pox, will relieve the itching and reduce scarring.
•    Neem tea drank once or twice weekly can even help prevent colds. If you already have the symptoms associated with a cold they can be lessened by drinking neem tea three times a day. It will help alleviate the fever, cough, aches and pains, sore throat, fatigue and nasal congestion.

•    Neem also contains powerful anti-fungal properties that have been shown to aide in the treatment of athletes foot, yeast infections, thrush and even ringworm.
•    In it’s use of treating hepatitis, 80% of test subjects showed a significant improvement. The neem extract can actually block the infection that causes this virus.
•    Drinking neem tea during an outbreak of influenza will help alleviate some of the symptoms and speed up the recovery time. Neem has an amazing ability to literally surround viruses and prevent them from even infecting the cells.
•    Use of a neem based powder for jock itch will reduce the itching, dry the area and kill the fungus. For severe cases a neem lotion may be more effective.
•    The length and severity of an outbreak of mononucleosis can be decreased by drinking neem tea twice a day for two weeks.
•    For shingles, neem cream should be applied to the affected area at least three times per day. Severe cases should also be treated with neem tea after each meal, but tea should not be consumed for more than two weeks at a time.
•    Thrush can be effectively treated with neem tea, it will reduce the inflammation, reduce the pain and speed healing. Children under the age of 12 should not drink neem tea, for children this young it should only be used to gargle.
•    Secondary bacterial infections in the nasal passages and respiratory system can be decreased by inhaling steam from boiling the leaves.
•    In a recent study neem was shown to lower cholesterol levels when taken for a month in either the capsule form or the extract.
•    Scientific studies have proven that neem will reduce blood clots, heart irregularities and even reduce blood pressure. Results can be seen within one month on a regimen of extract or capsules.
•    Neem will increase the bodies production of T-cells, which will attack infections.
•    The use of neem oil on the skin is known to actually rejuvenate the skin, it also promotes collagen and will work in the treatment of many skin conditions including acne. Acne can be cleared up with a few day by taking two neem capsules twice daily.
•    It is reported that neem will help in fighting chronic fatigue.
•    For headaches neem powder should be applied to the forehead, neem oil should also work in combating headaches when used the same way.
•    The inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints associated with arthritis can be greatly relieved with the use of neem. Neem changes the immune systems response to arthritis and can halt the progress of this disease.
•    For centuries neem has been used to reduce tumors. Clinical research has shown remarkable effects in the reduction of tumors and cancers and also in treating leukemia.
•    Neem is highly effective in treating gastritis, indigestion and heartburn.
•    Blood disorders such as blood poisoning, kidney problems and poor circulation have been benefited by the use of neem.
•    With all of the countless medicinal benefits that are already provided with the use of neem, it is also being studied very closely for a treatment for AIDS, cancer, allergies, diabetes and both male and female forms of birth control!
•    Neem oil should be stored in a cool dark place, if the oil solidifies it can be placed in warm water to bring back to liquid form.