ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Neem Tree
The neem tree is highly respected by Hindus because of is multitude of medicinal benefits.
In Hindu culture, this tree is believed to represent Goddess Durga.
There is also an association with Sitala Devi as the neem tree is supposed to be Her abode.
She is believed to be the Pox mother who can cure several ailments.
Neem flowers as well as burning neem leaves is also believed to help in keeping evil spirits at bay.
The famous incomplete idols in the well-known Jagannatha shrine were created using the wood from this tree.
Some other trees that are revered by Hindus and treated by them with high regard are the banana tree, the mango tree, the kadamb tree and the sandalwood tree.
These trees are believed to be just as sacred as the trees mentioned above and their significance and can in no way be undermined.
The origin of tree worship dates back to the Vedic period when there were no temples or shrines dedicated to the Hindu deities as there were today.
Hindu puranas give them high importance and equal status as that of the gods.
Trees are worshipped in various forms by Hindus such as Brahman, living spirits and manifestation of the divine power.
Some Hindu festivals like Amala Ekadashi, Vat Savitri Vrat, Sheetala Pooja, Bakula Amavaya and Ashoka Pratipada are exclusively dedicated to and centred around the worship of several trees.
The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is known for its medicinal properties, and is often associated with the god Vishnu.
In some stories, Vishnu is said to have rested on a neem tree during his incarnation as the dwarf Vamana.
Significance of Neem Tree in Hinduism
The neem tree is known for having a multitude of medicinal benefits and is also considered auspicious for the house in Vastu.
Planting a neem tree in the house garden brings peace and harmony to the residents and removes all the negativities and bitterness in relationships.
Neem has more than 130 different biologically active compounds that have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Neem is known to destroy the bacteria that cause infections, stimulate the immune system and encourage rapid healing.
It is one of the most respected trees in Indian heritage.
The neem tree (azadirachta indica) features heavily in traditional Indian medicine known as Ayurveda. Neem is also called ‘Arista’ in Sanskrit- a word that means ‘perfect, complete and imperishable’.
Known for its medicinal properties, it is used to treat skin and hair disorders.
Many Indian households value having a neem tree in their garden because the seeds, leaves, flowers, fruits, oil, roots, and bark are good for a wide range of household uses.
Neem Tree
Neem tree is cultivated in the Indian subcontinent.
This tree belongs to the mahogany family, Meliaceae.
Its botanic name is Azadirachta indica.
In Sanskrit, it is known as Nimba which means bestower of health.
Also known as Veppa or Nimba in vernacular languages.
It is called the margosa tree.
This tree is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicines and remedies for thousands of years.
It is used me making anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral.
In Hindu culture, it is believed that Goddess Sitala Devi exists in this tree.
South Indians believe that Goddess Marimman is associated with this tree.
This Goddess is responsible for giving and healing skin ailments like small-pox
Neem in Hindu Mythology
Plants play a key role in Hindu mythology.
Natural entities such as rivers, trees, and mountains have long been worshiped in Hindu India as embodied forms of divinity.
Trees have been given deep and sacred meanings; their birth, growth, and death, the elasticity of their branches, their sensitivity to annual decay,
and their revival have all been interpreted as powerful symbols.
Hindu mythology says that Amrit (Ambrosia) fell on the neem tree.
Another myth is that the sun took refuge in it to escape the demons.
The neem tree besides having various medicinal benefits is a highly revered tree among the Hindus because it is a manifestation of “Goddess Durga” or “Maa Kali”.
That is why the tree is sometimes referred to as Neemari Devi.
In Bengal, neem is considered to be the tree that is the abode of “Sitala” (the great Pox-mother who can cause or cure disease).
its leaves are also widely used in the worship, puja, festivals, and rituals associated with Hindu Goddesses, especially in South India.
The popular belief is that Mother Goddess resides in the Neem tree and its leaves have the power to cure diseases and drive away all evils.
The tree can be spotted in the vicinity of mane Shakti temples.
It is believed that worshipping the Neem tree bestows
Ayu (longevity),
Shri (prosperity),
Yasha (fame),
and Viaya (victory).
How does Neem work
Neem contains chemicals that might help reduce blood sugar levels, heal ulcers in the digestive tract, prevent conception,
kill bacteria, and prevent plaque formation in the mouth.
Dental plaque: Applying neem leaf extract gel to the teeth and gums twice daily for 6 weeks might reduce plaque formation.
It also might reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth that can cause plaque.
However, using a mouth rinse containing neem extract for 2 weeks does not appear to reduce plaque or gingivitis.
Insect repellant: Research suggests that applying an extract of neem root or leaf to the skin helps repels black flies.
Also, applying neem oil cream to the skin seems to protect against some types of mosquitos.
Ulcers: Some research suggests that taking 30-60 mg of neem bark extract twice daily by mouth for 10 weeks helps heal stomach and intestinal ulcers.
Psoriasis: It is suggested that taking neem extract by mouth for 12 weeks, along with daily sun exposure and the application of a coal tar and salicylic acid cream, reduces the severity of psoriasis symptoms in people.
The appropriate use of neem depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions.
At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for neem.
Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important.
Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professionals before using.
Why do we see neem tree and ravi tree in temples?
Why do we see neem tree and ravi (peepal) tree in temples?
Have you noticed that always neem and Ravi (peepal) tree are always together.?
According to Vedas, Ravi tree resembles Lord Vishnu and neem tree resembles Goddess Lakshmi.
If we do circumambulation around these twin trees and pray wholehearted, we can get rid of several doshas and lead a better family relationship.
Normally people who suffer from Shani dosha should pray to Ravi tree.
It is recommended to do namaskar to the tree and hug, by doing this you will be able to overcome many obstacles by the grace of Lord Vishnu.
Also, Lord Buddha attained spiritual powers when he started meditation below the ravi tree.
Lord Krishna during the last stage of his life took rest below the ravi tree and had his path towards Vaikunta.
According to science, by the wind breeze of the neem tree, you can get rid of many diseases.
Neem tree is known to have medical properties to cure many diseases, our ancestors used these leaves to cure chicken pox.
According to Vaastu Shastra, Ravi tree should not be planted near to any house whereas neem tree can be planted in front or even backyard of the house.
As this will keep the house free from infections and give you a cooling effect.
Many believe that if we have a neem tree in front of a house then, we have a doctor in your house.
The History Of The Neem Tree
The History of Neem
The medicinal properties of the Neem tree have been well known in India for over 4,000 years.
The healing properties of Neem are spoken about in some of the world’s oldest books.
The Sanskrit word for Neem was “Nimba,” which means “Good Health.”
The Vedas called Neem “Sarva Roga Nivarini,” which means “One that Cures all Ailments and Ills”.
It has also been referenced as
“Divine Tree”, Life Giving Tree,”
“Nature’s Drugstore,” and
“Village Pharmacy.”
Neem Trees in the Villages of India
A botanical cousin of the mahogany tree, Neem is a hardy evergreen and a common feature in the drier regions of India and southeast Asia.
It needs very little water but plenty of sunlight.
The Neem flowers bear fruits that are green drupes, which turn golden yellow when ripe.
Through history, the Neem tree had many fascinating aspects for the people of India.
The Neem tree was a symbol of health.
In the sun and heat this evergreen tree was a haven of shade.
It also provided safety from bugs and biting insects because of its natural repellent action.
And millions of Indian people have used all parts of this sacred tree as medicinals – the seeds, leaves, flowers, fruits, oil, roots, and bark.
In India, the Neem tree was planted in the vicinity of every home where people interacted with this extraordinary tree on a daily basis.
The History of Neem as a Beauty Treatment
Women in India and Southeast Asia loved the Neem tree.
It was their natural beauty “salon” that was readily available at no cost.
Neem leaf powder or crushed leaves incorporated into their face packs provided emollient and anti-aging action.
The antiseptic properties of Neem leaf extracts helped in controlling pimples and acne.
They bathed their children in a Neem leaf bath to soothe the itch from chicken pox.
They chewed on small Neem branches to clean their teeth and gums.
The History of Neem as a Fertilizer and Livestock Remedies
The tree also provided seeds, leaf and bark which could be converted into fertilizer and pest control material. It also provided medicinal potions for their cattle and livestock.
The History of Neem For Home Remedies
The Neem Tree was also a source of medicine to treat more than a hundred health problems, from scratches and skin rashes to malaria and diabetes.
The Neem tree was known to relieve so many different pains, fevers, infections and other complaints that to this day it is still called “the Village Pharmacy” in India.
Neem was used in ancient Indian cures to treat inflammation, infections, skin diseases, and for dental care.
Neem leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark and fruits contain antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antihistamine, and antiseptic properties.
Many countries have been sourced for their own unique elixir of ills – Aloe Vera from Mexico, Tea Tree from Australia, Ginseng from Korea and Ginkgo Biloba from China.
And according to the Neem Foundation, Neem is likely to exceed them all.
Neem from Africa
Neem was brought into Africa during Colonization. Indians planted trees wherever they settled and today, we reap the benefit of their diligence.
JustNeem sources Neem raw material from Mauritania, West Africa.
Mauritania is located within the belt of the Sahara Desert where living conditions for humans, animals, and plants are very harsh.
The Neem tree, though, thrives in this arid, dry climate.
After laboratory testing, we found that Neem from Mauritania has much higher active ingredients than Neem from other parts of the world.
We are proud that all our Neem products contain these highly active ingredients for the betterment of our customers’ skin.
Our team regularly travels to Mauritania where we have established a Neem Orchard and grow our own desert, high quality, natural Neem as we support local Neem farmers and their families.
WHERE DOES THE NEEM TREE COME FROM?
The exact origin of the Neem tree is unknown.
Some believe that the Neem tree originated in the vast region of Assam-Burma.
It is naturally distributed in the Indian subcontinent.
It has recently been planted in tropical South America, the Philippines and northern Australia.
It is one of the most widely planted trees in the tropical zone of the world.
In the traditional culture of India, Neem is considered sacred and protective.
It was an integral part of the Harappa culture, one of the greatest civilisations that developed in the Indus Valley (northwest India) from the sixth millennium BC.
In Sanskrit, the Veda texts, dating back 4500 years, mention the plant. In this language, Neem is called “nimba”, meaning “that which gives good health”.
According to Indian mythology, Neem is derived from the cream of the “milk of the ocean”, the nectar of the gods, a few drops of which fell to earth following a blunder by Indra, the god of war and time.
These pearls of ambrosia are said to have germinated to produce this wonderful tree.
In rural India, it is called the “village pharmacist”.
The Neem Tree has been declared the “Tree of the 21st Century” by the United Nations.
This evergreen tree can grow up to 5m to 20m high and has a round or oval crown.
Its leaves alternate between different shades of dark green.
Rich in protein, they are consumed as fodder by animals.
Its flowers vary from a beautiful white to a cream colour and have a honey-like smell. The fruits are yellow-green olives of up to 3 cm in size.
The kernels extracted from the stone of these fruits are pressed to obtain an oil rich in sulphur.
WHAT ARE ITS ADVANTAGES?
In traditional Indian medicine and in homeopathic medicine, Neem extracts are used to treat infections, pain and fever,
to purify the skin and act on inflammations and seborrheic infections, to clean and disinfect the teeth by rubbing them with the branches or roots.
The Indian custom is to chew a few leaves as a purification and to drink Neem tea as a tonic and preventive.
The juice of the leaves is used externally for its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
Scientific studies have shown that all parts of this tree have powerful pharmacological and dermatological properties.
The cosmetics industry is beginning to take an interest by incorporating neem seed oil into its products: soaps, toothpastes, nail and skin regenerants (creams, body oils, sun protection).
But it is the regenerative and protective properties of the neem leaves that are the most promising.
The Neem tree is still little known in Europe.
Our mission is to make the power of all its benefits available to beauty enthusiasts.
Neem
Introduction
Neem is known as “Sarvo Roga Nivarini” – the cure of all ailments.
Neem is Nimba in Sanskrit.
It belongs to the Mahagony family, Meliaceae.
The tree is native to India, and is found in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Neem is known by many different names, such as Nimm (Punjabi)
Arya Veppu (Malayalam),
Azad Dirakht (Persian),
Nimba (Marathi), Margosa,
Neeb (Arabic), Nimtree,
Vepu, Vempu, Vepa (Telegu),
Bevu (Kannada),
Kohomba (Sinhala),
Vembu (Tamil),
Tamar (Burmese), and Indian Lilac in English.
Neem is popularly known as “the tree of the 40”, as it is effective in treating 40 different diseases.
Description of the tree
Neem is known as a wonder tree since time immemorial.
Neem is an ever green tree which grows to a height of 15- 20 meters.
The branches are wide and spreading.
Neem trees are suitable to be grown in tropical and semi tropical regions.
The leaves are medium to dark green growing up to 3- 8 cms in length.
The tree is known for its survival even in drought like conditions.
Neem tree is grown in any type of soil and is suitable to be grown in very high temperatures.
Neem is one of the very few trees which provides shade in drought prone areas like the dry coastal and southern districts of India.
Neem tree bears white aromatic flowers.
The male and the female flowers co-exist on the same tree.
The Neem fruit is smooth and is either elongate oval or round in shape.
The skin of the fruit is thin and the pulp tastes bitter sweet, and is yellow- white in colour.
The pulp is very fibrous.
Within the fruit is the seed, usually one seed, sometimes more than one in a brown seed coat.
Puranic Reference
Neem tree is considered as a manifestation of goddess Durga or Maa Kali.
The tree is also referred to as Neemadri Devi.
Neem tree is considered sacred to Sitala or Shitala goddess.
Shitala means ‘who cools’ in Sanskrit.
She is said to reside in the tree. Sitala or Shitala is often referred to as “Maa”, Thakurani, Jagrani, Karunamayi, Mangala, Bhgavathi and Dayamayi in North India.
In South India, the goddess is referred to as Mariamma.
The goddess is mentioned in Tantric and Puranic texts.
According to another puranic reference,
Lord Indra, the god of the Devas, spilled the nectar,
(during Samudra Manthana or The Churning of the Ocean after snatching the pot of nectar from the demons)
on the Neem tree which made the tree a panacea for all ills.
In yet another reference, Neem protects mankind by killing or weakening the insects (which are believed to be a creation of demons).
The Sun God, Surya took refuge in Neem tree to seek refuge from demons.
Ayurvedic use
Varahamihira (505 AD) in the ancient text, Brihat Samhita, considered,
as the encyclopaedia of Indian Culture has recommended the use of Neem for medicinal uses.
There is a popular ancient saying- “nimbati ivasthyamdadati,” or “Neem, to give good health.” which aptly describes the qualities of Neem.
The bark, leaves and seeds of the Neem tree have immense medicinal properties.
The root, flower and the fruit are also used sometimes in ayurvedic preparations.
Neem has antifungal, anti diabetic, anti bacterial, antiviral, anthelmintic, contraceptive and sedative properties.
Neem has anti cancer properties. Neem leaf or bark is effective in treating pittha doshas.
Neem oil which is extracted from Neem fruits and seeds is used in toiletries like shampoo, soap, lotions etc.
Neem Leaves: Used in treatment of eye disorders, leprosy, intestinal worms, stomach upset, loss of appetite, skin ulcers, and psoriasis.
It is effective in strengthening the cardiac muscles, controlling fever, diabetes, preventing gum diseases, and treating liver problems.
It is effective for birth control and is used to cause abortion. Neem leaves are very effective in treating acne caused due to oily skin.
A concoction of Neem leaves applied on the skin clears the skin of acne, scars, pigmentation and blackheads.
Making a paste of Neem leaves with turmeric is effective in treating acne. Neem leaves paste when applied to hair is effective in removing head lies.
Neem leaves is also used as a mosquito repellent. Azadirachtin is the main ingredient found in Neem which makes it use an effective alternative for synthetic pesticides
Neem leaves consists of 40 different active compounds called Tetranortriperpernoids, or more specifically liminoids.
Liminoids cause hormonal disruptions which prevents the insect from feeding, breeding and metamorphosing.
Using Neem leaves for bath makes the skin radiant and clears any bacterial infection.
Neem bark: The bark which is brown to grey in colour is effective in the treatment of stomach ulcers, skin ailments, malaria, fever and general body ache.
Flowers: Flowers are used to reduce the bile production in the body, reduce phlegm, and in treating intestinal worms.
Flowers Fruits
Neem Twigs: Effective in treating cough, asthma, heamorrids, intestinal worms, low sperm levels, urinary disorders and diabetes.
Twigs used as an alternate to brush can cause gum diseases, thus should be avoided.
Neem oil is used to purify the blood and treat diabetes.
Neem Seeds: Seed and seed oil are effective in the treatment of intestinal worms and leprosy.
They are also used in case of birth control and to cause abortion. Neem seeds are ground into fine powder and soaked overnight.
This solution when sprayed on the crops is effective in controlling pests.
Though the Neem solution does not kill the insects directly, it acts as a deterrent for the insects, thereby protecting the crop.
Other uses: Neem leaves have varied uses besides, medicinal uses.
Dried leaves of Neem are placed in the cupboard to prevent insects from eating the clothes. Dried leaves are placed in rice tins to prevent insects.
The stem, root bark, and fruit are used as a tonic and astringent.
Significance
Neem tree is planted next to a Peepal tree and a marriage ceremony is conducted for both the trees.
The Neem tree symbolises male energy and Peepal, female energy.
A Neem fruit is placed on the Peepal leaf symbolising the holy union.
A platform is built around the trees,
on which inter twined images of the snake are placed. Inter twined snakes symbolise fertility.
Ugadi (Hindu New Year), is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Padya (1st day of the new year- March- April) in the States of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
During this festival, the front door is decorated with Neem and mango leaves to ward off negative energy and evil spirits.
On the day of the festival, tender Neem flowers mixed with jaggery is consumed.
This is to symbolise that life is a mixed bag of sweet and bitter.
Following is the shloka chanted while eating the Neem leaves.
“shataayurvajradhaaya sarva sampat karaaya cha
sarvaarishta vinaashaaya nimbakam dala bhakshaNam ”
Meaning – The Neem leaves are eaten for the sake of a body which has longevity of hundred years, and which is as strong as diamond, for bestowing all prosperity and for annihilating all the evil things.
As the weather changes with the onset of summer during March- April, neem is consumed to keep fever at bay.
In Maharashtra, on Gudi Padava, the New Year, people drink Neem juice before starting the festivities.
The Jagannath idols of the famous Puri Jagannath temple, Orissa are made of Neem heart wood along with other essential oils and powders.
In Tamil Nadu, women dress in red colour sari or dress and carry branches of the Neem tree and dance in public places swishing the branches symbolising an act of purifying the world.
Neem gum is a rich source of protein.
Hence the tender shoots and flowers are used in recipes.
Pat Gosain festival is observed in Bengal when, women worship the Neem tree.
On the day of Vaishaka Shukla Saptami, women eat Neem leaves, as part of a ritual.
In West Bengal, a recipe known as Nim Beigun is prepared using tender Neem leaves and Brinjal.
The Neem leaves are fried in oil along with small pieces of Brinjal and eaten with rice.
This is the first dish to be served, as it is believed to be an appetizer.
It is also believed that anyone who plants three Neem plants will live in Suryaloka after death.
A special puja is held on Chaitra Navaratri when prayers are offered to the Neem tree, symbolising the worship of goddess Shitala.
New born babies are bathed in water that has been boiled with Neem leaves; as such water is rich in medicinal properties and has a refreshing effect.
At funerals, the Puranas urge that family and friends chew Neem leaves to protect against lingering infections,
and spread more leaves at the threshold of the house where the death occurred – a tradition based on Neem’s healing powers and dating back to the days when many people died in epidemics.
In many villages, a festival called as ‘Ghatasthapana is observed, when Neem leaves are used to sanctify the water pot.
Mahatma Gandhi used to conduct prayer meetings under a Neem tree in Sabarmati Ashram. Neem leaf chutney was part of his daily diet.
In Vrukshayurveda, the science of plant life mentions the importance of growing a Neem tree as below.
After planting Neem trees a person well-versed in dharma attains the abode of Sun. Indeed! He resides there for a long period.
The Gurjars of Rajasthan plant and worship the Neem tree.
They consider the Neem tree as the abode of God Devnarayana.
Neem: A Tree of Healing
Neems are drought-resistant evergreens in the mahogany family, with small tapering leaves and white, fragrant flowers.
The flowers and leaves are used in traditional Indian cooking and small preparations of neem are consumed as part of the New Year’s celebration in several provinces.
Deities are sometimes garlanded with offerings of neem flowers and leaves.
It is greatly respected for its medicinal uses, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and even sedative properties.
It is also commonly used as a “toothbrush.”
People in India (as well as Africa and the Middle East) have been chewing on neem twigs to clean their teeth for centuries.
In Hindi culture, neem is manifested as the Goddess Durga, also known as Parvati (the wife of Shiva).
In some parts of India, the neem tree itself is thought to be a goddess, Neemari Devi.
It is associated with Goddess Sitala Devi in the north as well as Goddess Marimman in the south, who are both associated with giving and healing of skin ailments like small-pox.
The beautiful and famous Jagannatha deities in eastern Odisha are formed from neem wood.
Neem flowers, leaves and even smoke from burning the leaves is often used to ward off evil spirits.
Nimba (Azadirachta indica, Neem)Neem in Hindu Mythology
Neem is deeply imbued with spiritual meaning.
Its curative properties were attributed to the fact that a few drops of heavenly nectar fell upon it.
A lot of stories had been muttered in the past of Ancient Indian History consider Neem to be of divine origin.
Few are here:
Few drops of Amrita (Ambrosia, the elixir of immortality) was dropped on the Neem trees which was carried by The Garuda (part human and part bird: creature from Hindu Mythology) to the heaven.
In other story, Amrita was sprinkled by ‘ Indira ’ (the celestial kind) on the earth, which gave rise to the neem tree and thereby bestowing upon it numerous of much properties of much use to humans better than those of ‘ Kalpa-vriksha ‘, the wish-fulfilling tree.
In another instance neem tree is related to ‘ Dhanmantri ’ (the Aryan god of medicine).
The ancient Hindus believed that planting neem trees ensured a passage to heaven.
It was believed that the goddess of smallpox, ‘ Sithala ’, lived in the neem tree.
NEEMARI DEVI:
The botanical name for neem is azadiracta indica.
The Sanskrit name for the Neem tree is ‘Nimba’ meaning bestower of good health.
Other Sanskrit names are ‘Arista’ which implies perfect, complete and imperishable and Pichumada which means destroyer of laprosy and healer of skin infections.
Persian Scholar called Neem ‘Azad dirakht-i-Hind’ which means the noble or free tree of India.
Unani scholars named it a ‘Shajar-e-Munarak’ or blessed tree.
Neem in the Telugu language is known as Vepa or the purifier of air.
The Tamil word for it is Veppam and the tree is Veppa Maram.
It is said that on the first day of Chaitra, after Amavasya, it is very essential to worship the neem and eat its leaves.
It is mixed with pepper and sugar, as a safeguard from fever.
The neem tree, besides having various medicinal benefits, is a highly revered tree among the Hindus because it is a manifestation of Goddess Durga or Kali.
Thus, Kali takes manifestation as Neemari Devi.
That is why the tree is sometimes referred to as Neemari Devi.
The Tree is worshiped very intensely.
Tamil Ladies, while worshiping Maa kali dress in red, carry branches of the Neem tree, and dance in public places swishing the branches as an act of exorcism and to purify the world.
The multi-headed occult goddess Yellamma, highly revered goddess in south India, sometimes assumes the appearance of a young neem tree.
Renuka Yellamm is a grama-devata.
Notwithstanding Renuka Yellama, both Bengal and pan-India is considered as the revered Mother of Universe or Jagadamba.
By ancient tradition, Yellamma was attended to by devadasis.
Young maidens worship this Goddess by cladding themselves all over in neem branches.
In Bengal, neem tree is considered to be the abode of Goddess Sitala. She is the divine pox-mother.
She causes and cures pox.
In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the equivalent deity is Goddess Mariamma.
Pox marks are called ‘mutthu’ or ‘pearls’.
So, she is also referred as Mother Muthu Mariamman.
She also gets to be grama-devata with different attributes.
The customary treatment of pox is to rub the body with neem leaves while making prayers to Sitala.
Those given to spirit worship, believe that the smoke of burning neem protects both the living and the dead from evil spirits.
Its bark was burned to make red ash for religious decoration of the body of adulthood.
Leaves are strewn on the floor of temples at wedding of temples to purify and bless the area.
CHARAKA SAMHITA: Neem’s Medicinal value are listed in ancient Ayurvedic texts the ‘Charaka Samhita’ and ‘Sursuta-Samhita’ The ‘Brihat Samhita’ of Varahamihira recommends that the neem tree be planted near dwellings for its oxygen giving attributes.
Every part of neem tree, leaves, twings, seed, oil and root have medicinal importance.
It balance the vata and kapha dosha.
At some time or other, neem is said to be used in the cure of AIDS, fungal infections, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, shingles and yeast infections.
Blood disorders, digestive problems and kidney problems are brought into control.
Ayurvedic treatment is time managed.
So neem products are taken between Sunrise to Sunset.
Try Neem leaf chutney!
Hara Hara Mahadeva.
Neem Tree Leaves Offering To Goddess Mariamman
During festivals dedicated to Mariamman, devotees will decorate either themselves or the gifts they give to the goddess with neem leaves, which is sacred to her.
Frequently a three-pronged post from the neem tree will be erected outside her shrine, sometimes understood to be an aniconic image of the husband whom she killed.
The use of neem leaves as protection from the heat is one of many instances of the alternations between the colours red and green,
suggesting the ambivalent nature of a goddess associated with both red heat and green coolness.
When serious illness attributed to Mariamman occurs in the home, the afflicted person can be treated as the physical embodiment of the goddess.
The home becomes a quasi-temple and it is decorated with neem leaves.
When a person is possessed by Goddess Mariamman, the person holds a neem branch.
Neem tree and its leaves are associated with various Hindu Goddess especially Durga, Kali, Karumariamman, Mariamman and other manifestations of Mother Goddess Shakti.
Neem leaves are widely used in the worship, puja, festivals and rituals associated with Hindu Goddesses especially in South India.
So Why is neem tree and it leaves associated with Goddess Shakti.
The popular belief is that Mother Goddess resides in Neem tree and its leaves have the power to cure diseases and drive away all evils.
There are stories in rural South India that indicate that Mother Goddess residing in neem tree stopped Yama, the god of death, from taking away the life of human beings devoted to her.
Neem tree is widely found in the front or within the vicinity of many Shakti Temples in South India.
Neem leaves are also used to cure Chicken pox and other skin diseases.
Neem is used by Hindus to treat inflammation, infections, skin diseases and for dental care.
The Neem leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark and fruits contain antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antihistamine and antiseptic properties.
The Neem tree is a symbol of health, beauty and hope in Hinduism.
It is evergreen even during the summer season.
It provides cooling shade to people, animals and all living beings.
It is natural repellant and therefore keeps out all kinds of unwanted bugs.
Seeds, oil, leaves, flowers, fruits, roots and bark are used in India from time immemorial.
Neem leaf is used as a beauty product and it is also an excellent antiseptic.
It is also an excellent food for the livestocks.
It is also an excellent fertilizer.
Neem Tree
The neem tree is highly respected by Hindus because of is multitude of medicinal benefits.
In Hindu culture, this tree is believed to represent Goddess Durga.
There is also an association with Sitala Devi as the neem tree is supposed to be Her abode.
She is believed to be the Pox mother who can cure several ailments.
Neem flowers as well as burning neem leaves is also believed to help in keeping evil spirits at bay.
The famous incomplete idols in the well-known Jagannatha shrine were created using the wood from this tree.
Some other trees that are revered by Hindus and treated by them with high regard are the banana tree, the mango tree, the kadamb tree and the sandalwood tree.
These trees are believed to be just as sacred as the trees mentioned above and their significance and can in no way be undermined.
The origin of tree worship dates back to the Vedic period when there were no temples or shrines dedicated to the Hindu deities as there were today.
Hindu puranas give them high importance and equal status as that of the gods.
Trees are worshipped in various forms by Hindus such as Brahman, living spirits and manifestation of the divine power.
Some Hindu festivals like Amala Ekadashi, Vat Savitri Vrat, Sheetala Pooja, Bakula Amavaya and Ashoka Pratipada are exclusively dedicated to and centred around the worship of several trees.