Herbal Treatment of Children: Western and Ayurvedic Perspectives

332 Pages·2005·2.241 MB·English

by  Anne McIntyre

87
4
Chapter
Monographs of Ayurvedic herbs
commonly used in the treatment
of children
CHAPTER CONTENTS
Acorus calamus: Vacha 88 Emblica officinalis (syn. Phyllanthus emblica) :
Aegle marmelos: Bilva 90 Amalaki 114
Aloe vera: Kumari 92 Ocimum sanctum: Tulsi 117
Asparagus racemosus: Shatavari 94 Piper longum: Pippali 120
Azadirachta indica: Neem 96 Rubia cordifolia: Manjista 122
Bacopa monnieri: Brahmi 98 Sida cordifolia: Bala 124
Cedrus deodara: Devadaru 100 Terminalia belerica: Bibhitaki 126
Centella asiatica: Gotu kola 102 Terminalia chebula: Haritaki 128
Coriandrum sativum: Coriander 105 Tinospora cordifolia-caulis: Guduchi 130
Curcuma longa: Turmeric 107 Withania somniferum: Ashwagandha 132
Eclipta Alba: Bhringaraj 110 Zingiber officinale: Ginger 134
Eletteria cardamomum: Cardamom 112
88 HERBAL TREATMENT OF CHILDREN
Acorus calamus : Vacha
Family:Araceae of nutrients. In doing so it helps to clear amafrom
Sanskrit:Vacha the gut. Adecoction of the root is given as a car-
English:Sweet flag, Calamus root minative for colic, flatulence and peptic ulcers. By
Part used:rhizome relieving Kaphaand enkindling agni, Acorusis con-
Quality/Guna:light/laghu, sharp/tikshna, sidereduseful in obesity.
flowing/ sara
Taste/Rasa:bitter/tikta, pungent/katu Nervous system
Post digestive/Vipak:pungent/katu
As a nerve stimulant Acorushas been used for anx-
Potency/Veerya:heating/ushna
iety, mental fatigue, poor memory, insomnia, ner-
Dosha:VK- P(cid:2)
vous debility, depression, epilepsy and other
Tissue/Dhatu:marrow and nerve, muscle, fat, plasma,
nervous complaints. Asarone and beta-asarone are
reproductive
the constituents credited with the sedative and
Constituents nervine effects. It is applicable to all conditions of
excess Vataand has a reputation for being able to
Rhizome bark has 1.5–3.5% volatile oil, including enhance awareness and improve memory. Its
beta-asarone present in variable proportions, mechanism is explained by Gogte who states that
eugenol, asarone, caffeine, camphor, camphene, Acorus“alleviates excessive Kaphaaccumulated in
alpha-asarone, alpha-terpineol; sitosterol, galangin. the manovaha srotaswhich causes various psycho-
logical disorders” (Gogte 2000). In China the
Action
powder is blown into the nose of a coma patient to
help restore consciousness (Amarasinghe 2003,
Nervine, antispasmodic, sedative, analgesic, stom-
Williamson 2002). Asmall piece of root is chewed
achic, expectorant, decongestant, emetic, laxative,
or the powdered root used as snuff to overcome
diuretic, thermogenic, antipyretic, anti-inflamma-
mental fatigue. In India the powder mixed with
tory, antibacterial, antifungal, hypotensive, anti-
ghee is given to newbornbabies on the 7th day to
convulsant, rejuvenative, stimulant, digestive.
enhance brain function and speech development
Indications (Amarasinghe 2003, Williamson 2002). It is said to
be the best medicine for children having lower
Mental fatigue, poor memory, anxiety, bronchitis, intellectual level (Gogte 2000). Acorusis one of the
sinusitis, sinus headache, flatulence, arthritis, pep-
main herbs used in India to treat cerebral palsy in
tic ulcers, colds, coughs.
children. It is given from the age of two onwards
(brahmi and bacopa are given up until then). A
Introduction
poultice of the root is applied to the limbs of para-
Acorus calamusactually originated in Europe but has lyzed children (Motley 1994) and the paste applied
been used extensively for centuries in Ayurvedic to painful arthritic joints (Gogte 2000). Research
medicine, particularly as a rejuvenator of the ner- indicates that Acorus may affect certain pro-
vous system, to enhance brain function, relieve inflammatory mediators, suggesting a mechanism
headaches and for the treatment of arthritis. for its anti-inflammatory effect (Mehrotra et al 2003).
Respiratory system
Internal uses
Adecoction of the root is given as a decongestant
Digestive system
in catarrh and bronchitis and sinusitis. By clearing
By stimulating agni/digestive fire, Acorus stimu- Kapha and Vata from the respiratory tract, Acorus
lates appetite and digestion as well as absorption is helpful in the treatment of coughs, asthma and
Monographs of Ayurvedic herbs commonly used in the treatment of children 89
laryngitis. For this purpose a piece of the root to prevent toxicity. It is boiled until the milk evap-
is often sucked as a lozenge. The powdered root orates, when it is dried and then powdered.
is used as a snuff to relieve nasal congestion,
headaches, lethargy and excessive sleepiness Dosage and formulations
(Gogte 2000).
● Decoction: 1 tsp boiled 4–5 minutes in 11–12 cups
Immune system of water.
● Milk decoction with powdered ginger (for digest-
The antimicrobial properties of Acorushave been put
ive indications).
to good use as a herb for fumigation. It inhibits the
● Powder: 100–250mg intranasally, and for children
growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coliand Shigella. over 2 for treatment of cerebral palsy up to–1tsp is
4
given with honey am and pm (Amarasinghe
Temperature
2003).
Acorus is used for alleviating symptoms in fevers ● For emesis: 4–5g fresh powder (cid:2)10g rock salt is
such as drowsiness and delirium and as a given with warm water followed by 1 litre
diaphoretic it can be used for fevers caused by warm water.
obstruction of sweat.
Research
External uses
● Amarasinghe APG 2003 Course lecture notes.
Being antiseptic, the juice of the root can be applied
Ayurvedic Paediatrics and Gynaecology and
to boils, and as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory
Practical Training of Ayurvedic Massage, London
it can also be applied to arthritic joints, and used
● Gogte VVM 2000 Ayurvedic Pharmacology and
as eardrops for earache and tinnitus. In India it is
Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants. Bharatiya
considered very useful for teething problems in
Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai
children.
● Mehrotra S, Mishra KP, Maurya R, et al 2003
Anticellular and immunosuppressive proper-
Safety profile
ties of ethanolic extract of Acorus calamus rhi-
Acorus induces vomiting in large doses and is zome. Int Immunopharmacol 3(1): 53–61
presently classified as an unsafe herb for internal ● Motley TJ 1994 The ethnobotany of sweet
usage by the American FDA. No side effects are flag, Acorus calamus(Aracae). Economic Botany
known with the therapeutic dose however, although 48(4): 397
beta-asarone can be carcinogenic in animals. In ● Williamson E 2002 Major herbs of Ayurveda.
India the dried root is prepared as a milk decoction Churchill Livingstone, London
90 HERBAL TREATMENT OF CHILDREN
Aegle marmelos : Bilva
Sanskrit:Bilva Internal uses
English:Bengal quince, Bael fruit
Digestive system
Family:Rutaceae
Part used:fruit, unripe and ripe, root, seeds, leaves Unripe fruit: As an astringent and stimulant, bilva
Quality/Guna:light/laghu, dry/ruksha is used for chronic weak digestion, low appetite and
Taste/Rasa:bitter/tikta, astringent/kashaya poor absorption of nutrients as it improves digest-
Post digestive/Vipak:pungent/katu ive fire and small intestine function. It is consider-
Potency/Veerya:hot/ushna ed excellent for those suffering from chronic
Dosha:unripe fruit: K- VP(cid:2) diarrhoea (Frawley and Lad 2001) and dysentery,
Ripe fruit: KV- P(cid:2)and agni(cid:2) as well as for dyspepsia and irritable bowel syn-
Tissue/Dhatu:plasma, blood, fat, nerve drome. In a randomized double-blind controlled
study with patients suffering from irritable bowel
Constituents
syndrome, a combination of bilvafruit with bacopa
was shown to be effective in 64.9% of the group as
Mucilage, pectin, volatile oil gum and bitters (fruit
opposed to 32.7% of the placebo group (Yadav
pulp), alkaloids (roots and leaves), essential oils
et al 1989). When used for chronic diarrhoea, the
(leaves and seeds), anthraquinones, coumarins
raw unripe fruit has a reputation for working when
including the active principle marmelocin (fruit
nothing else has been successful. It is also used for
and hardwood), tannins (fruit and leaves), triter-
sprue and amoebic dysentery. Half a teaspoonful
penes (roots).
of powder in a teaspoonful of honey is taken for
nausea and vomiting and when ground to a paste
Actions
and cooked with sugar it is taken for bleeding
Unripe fruit: astringent, stomachic, appetizer, piles (Gogte 2000).
digestive stimulant. Ripe fruit: Used as an adjuvant in bacillary dysen-
Ripe fruit: more laxative, sweet and nutritive prop- tery for its ability to heal the intestinal mucosa
erties than the unripe fruit; astringent; haemostatic. (Williamson 2002).
Root: anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, bitter tonic,
nervine, cardiac tonic (Gogte 2000). Nervous system
Leaves: liver stimulant, bitter tonic (Gogte 2000),
Roots: Its nervine properties are useful in treatment
hypoglycaemic, antimicrobial (Williamson 2002).
of colic, pain, anxiety and insomnia and explain its
Seeds:the essential oil has antibacterial actions.
use in India in the treatment of epilepsy.
Indications
Circulatory system
Malabsorption, chronic diarrhoea, colic, diabetes,
cough, insomnia and bleeding. Bilva is considered a tonic for the heart and brain
(Williamson 2002). The root is used in cardiac debil-
Introduction ity and palpitations. The fruit has haemostatic prop-
ertiesand alleviates swelling.
In India this tree is widely cultivated and is often to
be found near temples as it is held as sacred to Lord
Respiratory system
Shiva. The leaves and wood have been used for
pooja (worship). In India the fruit is eaten fresh and Because of their bitter and pungent taste the leaves
is a popular ingredient in drinks, jams and sweets. reduce Kaphasymptoms such as colds and catarrh.
Monographs of Ayurvedic herbs commonly used in the treatment of children 91
Temperature Precautions
The rootsare used in decoction for reducing inter- Unripe fruit is not to be used in acute fevers but can
mittent fevers. be used in chronic fevers (Frawley and Lad 2001).
The juice of the leaf has been used for reducing Large doses can be constipating (Gogte 2000).
fevers.
Research
Other uses
● Badam L, Bedekar SS, Sonawane KB, Joshi SP
Leaves: The essential oil has antibacterial and anti- 2002 In vitro antiviral activity of bael (Aegle
fungal properties and an aqueous extract has been marmelos Corr) upon human coxsackieviruses
found to be as effective as insulin at restoring B1–B6. J Commun Dis 34(2): 88–99
blood glucose levels and body weight to normal ● Frawley D, Lad V 2001 The Yoga of Herbs. Lotus
(Williamson 2002). Research indicates that Aeglehas Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
activity against human coxsackieviruses (Badam ● Gogte VVM 2000 Ayurvedic Pharmacology and
et al 2002) and has an antiproliferative activity on Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants. Bharatiya
human breast tumour cell lines (Lambertini et al Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai
2004). Other research has demonstrated that extract ● Jagetia GC, Venkatesh P, Baliga MS 2003
can protect DNAfrom radiation-induced damage Evaluation of the radioprotective effect of Aegle
(Jagetiaet al 2003). marmelos(L.) Correa in cultured human periph-
eral blood lymphocytes exposed to different
External uses doses of gamma-radiation: a micronucleus study.
Mutagenesis 18(4): 387–393
The leaf juicehas been used as an eyewash for con-
● Lambertini E, Piva R, Khan MT, et al 2004
junctivitis while the leaf powder made into a paste
Effects of extracts from Bangladeshi medicinal
is applied over the eyelids. The oilhas an antifun-
plants on in vitro proliferation of human breast
gal activity (Rana et al 1997) and can be used in
cancer cell lines and expression of estrogen
creams and ointments for fungal infections includ-
receptor alpha gene. Int J Oncol 24(2): 419–423
ing athlete’s foot. The root bark powder and the
● Rana BK, Singh UP, Taneja V 1997 Antifungal
leaf juiceare mixed and used for relieving pain and
activity and kinetics of inhibition by essential
oedema (Gogte 2000).
oil isolated from leaves of Aegle marmelos. J
Ethnopharmacol 57(1): 29
Dosage and formulation
● Williamson E 2002 Major Herbs of Ayurveda.
● Powder of the fruit: 1–2g(cid:3)3 daily Churchill Livingstone, London
● Infusion of the leaves 12–20ml daily ● Yadav SK, Jain AK, Tripathi SN, Gupta JP1989
● Juice 10–20ml daily Irritable bowel syndrome: therapeutic evaluation
● Formulation: Dasmula (ten roots). of indigenous drugs. Indian J Med Res 90: 496
92 HERBAL TREATMENT OF CHILDREN
Aloe vera : Kumari
Family:Liliaceae Internal uses
Sanskrit:Kumari
Digestive system
English:Indian aloe, aloe vera
Part use:extract, dried juice of leaves and pulp root Aloe vera juice has a laxative action and can be used
Quality/Guna:oily/snigdha, sticky/pichchila to clear toxins and heat from the bowel. It helps con-
Taste/Rasa: bitter/tikta, sweet/madhur, pungent/katu, trol micro-organisms in the gut and acts as a bitter
astringent/kashaya tonic to the liver and the whole of the digestive tract.
Post digestive/Vipak:sweet/madhur It enhances the secretion of digestive enzymes,
Potency/Veerya:cooling/sheeta balances acid in the stomach, aids digestion and
Dosha:VPK(cid:4) regulates sugar and fat metabolism. Aloe juice has
Tissue/Dhatu:all wonderful demulcent properties, soothing and pro-
tectingthe lining of the gut. It can be used to treat
colitis, peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
Constituents
Research has indicated some promise in treating
Polysaccharides, enzymes, vitamins B1, B2, B6, inflammatory bowel disease (Robinson 1998).
choline, folic acid, essential amino acids, calcium,
sodium, chlorine, magnesium, zinc, aloinosides Nervous system
including barbaloin (aloins Aand B).
Aloe vera has a generally cooling and moistening
effect and can be used for problems associated with
Actions excess heat and inflammation. It is particularly use-
ful for hot fiery people, who are prone to inflam-
Alterative, anthelmintic, digestive, laxative, bitter
matory problems and to feelings of anger, irritability
tonic, rejuvenative, purgative, diuretic.
and self-criticism. As a nutritive tonic aloe can be
combined with shatavari, and as a bitter tonic with
Indications gentian (Gentiana untea).
Intestinal worms, fever, constipation, eye problems, Temperature
colds, haemorrhoids, coughs, inflammation of skin,
chronic ulcers, dysentery, skin rashes, enlarged liver Aloe vera has cooling properties and can be used to
or spleen. bring down temperatures.
Introduction External uses
Aloe gel has a wide variety of therapeutic uses. It is Externally, aloe gel has remarkable healing
a rejuvenative for Pittabut can be used for all three powers. It is used for treating burns (Visuthikosol
doshas. Legend has it that Cleopatra used it to main- et al 1995) including sunburn, and after radiation
tain her beauty and in fact it is excellent for sensitive therapy (Grindlay and Reynolds 1986, Williams
and allergic skin conditions. It has been a treatment et al 1996). It is also used with success in the treat-
of wounds for over 2000 years. Aloe gel is the clear ment of a variety of skin conditions including her-
mucilaginous gel of the inner portion of the leaves, pes (Frawley and Lad 2001). In trials, patients with
which can be applied to soothe cuts, abrasions and psoriasis demonstrated dramatic results after thrice
inflammatory skin conditions and when mixed daily application of aloe vera extract. A total of
with water it makes the juice. The laxative part of 82.8% of patients demonstrated significant clear-
the plant is found in the rind of the leaves and is a ing of psoriatic plaques, compared to 7.7% using a
bitter, yellow juice. This is not used for children. placebo cream (Syed et al 1996). Aloe gel also
Monographs of Ayurvedic herbs commonly used in the treatment of children 93
relieves pain, soothes inflammation (Yagi et al2002) ● Klein AD, Penneys NS 1988 Aloe vera. J Am
and has a mildly antibiotic effect (Klein and Penneys Acad Dermatol 18(4 Pt 1): 714–720
1988). It is applied to haemorrhoids to soothe pain ● Robinson M 1998 Medical therapy of inflamma-
and irritation and speed healing. tory bowel disease for the 21st century. Eur J
Surg Suppl 582: 90–98
Precaution ● Syed TA, Ahmad SA, Holt AH, Ahmad SA,
Ahmad SH, Afzal M 1996 Management of pso-
Do not use when pregnant or in appendicitis and
riasis with Aloe Vera extract in a hydrophilic
abdominal pain of unknown origin. There are occa-
cream: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
sionally reports of contact dermatitis from using
Trop Med Int Health 1(4): 505–509
aloe vera gel (Hunter and Frumkin 1991).
● Visuthikosol V, Chowchuen B, Sukwanarat Y,
Sriurairatana S, Boonpucknavig V 1995 Effect of
Drug interactions
aloe vera gel to healing of burn wound a clinical
There is possible interaction with cardiac glycosides. and histological study. J Med Assoc Thai 78(8):
403–409
Research ● Williams MS, Burk M, Loprinzi CL, et al 1996
Phase III double-blind evaluation of an aloe
● Frawley D, Lad V 2001 The Yoga of Herbs (2nd
vera gel as a prophylactic agent for radiation-
ed) Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
induced skin toxicity. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol
● Grindlay D, Reynolds T 1986 The Aloe vera
Phys 36(2): 345–349
phenomenon: a review of the properties and
● Yagi A, Kabash A, Okamura N, Haraguchi H,
modern uses of the leaf parenchyma gel. J
Moustafa SM, Khalifa TI 2002 Antioxidant, free
Ethnopharmacol 16(2–3): 117–151
radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects
● Hunter D, Frumkin A 1991 Adverse reactions
of aloesin derivatives in Aloe vera. Planta Med
to vitamin E and aloe vera preparations after
68(11): 957–960
dermabrasion and chemical peel. Cutis 47(3):
193–196
94 HERBAL TREATMENT OF CHILDREN
Asparagus racemosus : Shatavari
Family:Liliaceae Internal uses
Sanskrit:Shatavari
Digestive system
English: Wild asparagus
Part used:leaves, root The cooling and demulcent properties of shatavari
Quality/Guna:heavy/guru, unctous/snigdha are used for soothing dry inflamed mucous mem-
Taste/Rasa:sweet/madhur, bitter/tikta branes throughout the body, for treating problems
Post digestive/Vipak:sweet/madhur associated with a disturbance of either Vata or
Potency/Veerya:cold/sheeta Pittagiving rise to, for example, heartburn, gastri-
Dosha:VP- K(cid:2) tis, peptic ulcers, colitis, Crohn’s disease and irrit-
Tissue/Dhatu:all tissues able bowel syndrome. It relieves hyperacidity as
well as diarrhoea and dysentery. In a small trial on
eight healthy volunteers, shatavari was found to
Constituents
have an equivalent effect to metoclopramide in
Saponins, steroidal glycosides and aglycones, reducing gastric emptying time (Dalvi et al 1990).
flavonoids including quercetin, rutin and hypero-
side, alkaloids, mucilage.
Respiratory system
Shatavarisoothes sore throats and dry coughs, and
Actions
is used generally for treating irritated conditions
of the respiratory system.
Galactagogic, antispasmodic, nervine, anti-
inflammatory, demulcent, refrigerant, diuretic,
general tonic, expectorant, antibacterial, antitu- Immune system
mour, antacid.
Its immune-stimulating properties combined with
its ability to enhance growth and development
Indications are particularly applicable to children (Pole 2005).
According to Chopra and Simon, shatavari has
General nutritive tonic, gastritis, diarrhoea, dysen-
a measurable effect on macrophage function
tery, inflammatory bowel problems, blood purifi-
enhancing their ability to fight fungal infections.
cation, dyspepsia, joint pains, anxiety, fever.
It enhances the production of natural immune-
regulating messenger molecules and protects
blood-producing cells in the bone marrow, thus
Introduction
helping the immune system recover more quickly
Shatavaritranslates “she who possesses a hundred after exposure to toxic chemicals (Chopra and
husbands” as this herb is the most important reju- Simon 2000). Shatavarialso has adaptogenic prop-
venative tonic for women in Ayurvedic medicine. erties. Shatavari has antibacterial activity in vitro
As a nourishing herb it is also used for a wide vari- againsta range of bacteria including E. coli, Shigella
ety of ailments in children. According to David spp., Salmonella spp. and Pseudomonas (Mandal
Simon and Deepak Chopra, shatavari is nourish- et al 2000).
ing, soothing, cooling, lubricating, useful in condi- As well as being nourishing, shatavari is also
tions when the body and mind are overheated, detoxifying. It is recommended during convales-
depleted or out of balance (Chopra and Simon cence and for infections such as herpes and for
2000). chronic fevers.
Monographs of Ayurvedic herbs commonly used in the treatment of children 95
Nervous system pain. It also reduces development of scar tissue
after surgery (Chopra and Simon 2000).
Shatavariis valued in India for its ability to promote
clarity of mind and is worth consideration in the
Dosage and formulation
treatment of problems such as ADHD in children
when used in combination with other brain tonics ● Infusion: 3–6oz bid
such as brahmi (Hydrocotyle asiatica). It is calming ● Decoction: 2–4oz bid
and helps to reduce anxiety and stress. ● Milk decoction: 2–4oz bid (with gee pippali, and
honey)
Reproductive system
● Powder: 3–5g bid (with honey)
Shatavari’smain action is on the female reproduct- ● Mix with equal parts of amalaki and liquorice for
ive tract. It is considered nourishing and strength- heartburn or indigestion.
ening and it is a successful remedy for problems
Research
with fertility, hormonal imbalances and during the
menopause (McIntyre 1994). It effectively increases
● Chopra D, Simon D 2000 The Chopra Centre
milk production in nursing mothers.
Herbal Handbook. Rider, London
● Dalvi SS, Nadkarni PM, Gupta KC 1990 Effect
Urinary system
of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) on gastric
emptying time in normal healthy volunteers. J
The soothing and cooling properties of shatavarican
Postgrad Med 36(2): 91–94
be used for treating irritated conditions of the urin-
● Mandal SC, Nandy A, Pal M, Saha BP 2000
ary system.
Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Asparagus
racemosus willd. root. Phytother Res 14(2):
External uses
118–119
Shatavari is used externally to relieve painful ● McIntyre A 1994 The Complete Woman’s
swollen joints and muscle tension and is one of the Herbal. Gaia Books Limited, London
main ingredients of Mahanaryan oil, a well-known ● Pole S 2005 An Ayurvedic Herbal. A guide to
oil formulation for the relief of joint and muscle Ayurvedic Herbs and Formulas. Thesis
96 HERBAL TREATMENT OF CHILDREN
Azadirachta indica : Neem
Family:Meliaceae Nervous system
Sanskrit:Nimba
With its Pitta-reducing properties, neemis used for
English:Neemtree, Margosa tree, Indian lilac
anxiety and stress, irritability and it has significant
Part used: flowers, seeds, leaves and bark
pain-relieving properties.
Quality/Guna:light/laghu
Taste/Rasa:bitter/tikra, astringent/kashaya
Post digestive/Vipak:pungent/katu Circulatory system
Potency/Veerya:cold/sheeta
A leaf extract has been shown to reduce serum
Dosha:KP-
cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure and
Tissue/Dhatu:plasma, blood, fat
arrhythmias.
Constituents
Respiratory system
Volatile oil, gum, polysaccharides (fruit pulp);
resin: margosin, terpenes, seed: 40% stable oil and Neem has decongestant and expectorant action
sulphur. cleaning infection and phlegm from the lungs. It is
used in coughs and bronchitis. The seeds are used
Actions for tuberculosis.
Demulcent, febrifuge, antiseptic, vulnerary, antimi-
Immune system
crobial, anthelmintic, insecticidal, alterative, anti-
inflammatory, expectorant, bitter tonic, refrigerant, Neemis considered one of the best herbs for a wide
antiemetic. range of infections, both chronic and acute. Anti-
bacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic activity has
Introduction been demonstrated (Fabry et al 1996, 1998) in the
leaves and bark. Neemhas long been used for the
The evergreen neem tree provides one of the best-
prevention and treatment of malaria (Mackinnon
known blood purifiers and detoxicants among
et al 1997). As a detoxifying remedy Chopra and
traditional Ayurvedic herbs. It is primarily used
Simon recommend neem for patients who have
for all conditions of excess Pitta characterized by
been overeating, abusing drugs or alcohol or a
heat and burning sensations.
prescription drug including antibiotics, steroids or
chemotherapy (Chopra and Simon 2000). It is also
Internal uses
used for lymphodemitis and inflammatory arthritis.
Digestive system
Skin
With its bitter taste, neem stimulates appetite and
digestion as well as the flow of bile from the liver, As an antimicrobial and detoxicant, neemhas been
enhancing liver function. Its hepato-protective used traditionally for a wide range of skin disorders
activity protects the liver from injury caused by incuding eczema, acne, leucoderma, boils, psoria-
toxins, drugs and viruses. Its astringent, antimi- sis, abscesses and haemorrhoids. It soothes itching
crobial and anti-inflammatory properties con- and allays inflammation.
tribute to its effect as an antiulcer remedy. Neemis
often used as a treatment for acidity, heartburn,
Temperature
gastritis, indigestion, nausea and vomiting. It
has also been used successfully for eradicating Adecoction of leaves and bark is used to cure fevers,
worms. including intermittent fevers of malaria.