Neem to help Haitians

Anyone on the ground working with earthquake victims in Haiti could use Neem to treat wounds and infections, especially if medicines are scarce. Neem is known to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Ingesting it can boost the immune system, and applying it topically stimulates blood circulation.

Haiti supposedly has a plethora of Neem trees, planted by USAID and the Haitian Department of Agriculture during the last two decades. Some early reports say that Neem trees grow throughout the capital of Port-au-Prince, in the hills of the suburbs and along the streets. Those trees that survived the earthquake could now be used to help ward off infections and disease.

Disinfecting wounds with Neem

Rub a handful of fresh Neem leaves together or grind them into a paste
Apply the leaves to the wound to disinfect
(Fruit can also be used to create paste)

Treat infections internally with Neem

Eat one or two Neem leaves a day
Brew a tea with dried Neem leaves

Treating gum disease and mouth injuries
Chew on Neem leaves or twigs
Brew tea with dried Neem leaves

Neem trees can thrive in arid areas, and they require little surface water. They have oblong leaves with jagged edges and bear yellow, olive-sized fruit.

According to two researchers, Neem trees grow in and near Port-au-Prince. Particularly they observed that Neem trees were “a common sight in the suburbs of the capital and along the highways from the city… As many as 400,000 seedlings have been planted in recent years by the Haitian Department of Agriculture, mostly along thoroughfares.” (The article is from 1983, but perhaps the trees are still around?)

Source: Walther H. Lewis and Memory P.F. Elvin-Lewis Economic Botany, 37(1), 1983, pp. 69-70 (link to excerpt)

More Resources:

http://www.neemfoundation.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem

Neem has long been reported to alleviate acne, best used with Neem oil as a soap base. Acne is caused by overactive oil glands, blockage of skin pores, inflammation and activity of normal skin bacteria.

The build up of oil can cause irritation and redness, and bacteria can multiply rapidly. The bacteria can cause infection. Neem provides antibacterial properties and contains aspirin like substances that reduce redness and inflammation. Neem, with its healing properties, can assist in bringing balance and healing to acne prone skin.

Acne is best dealt with in three steps: cleanse, treat and protect. Cleansing your skin, removing bacteria buildup, is the most important step. Most medicated cleansing products use a harsh chemical called salicylic acid which can be drying and irritating. Ideally, cleansing should be done with a mild moisturizing soap, with no abrasives or alcohol. Neem soaps are great for acne because of neem’s antibacterial qualities. It is important however to review ingredients carefully to check for a neem oil base and natural moisturizing ingredients as found in JustNeem’s all natural soap products.

For our full line of neem soaps and lotions, check out our online store.

Tags: acne, cleanse, soap

From Brittany L., Benson NC

My aunt introduced me to JustNeem soaps about a year ago as a gift. We were both surprised to find it helped my acne. I have had problems with acne for years, and tried many products, including Proactiv without much success. The coconut neem soap has worked wonders! The redness and breakouts have improved greatly. I would recommend JustNeem to anyone who is seeking an all natural, mild soap to improve skin irritations. The extra benefit is knowing the product’s goal of helping families in Mauritania. What a deal!

Check out our natural soaps in the JustNeem store.

Tags: acne, breakouts, coconut neem, Mauritania, mild, redness, skin irritations

This week’s testimonial from Susan D. is short and to the point.

Hi Magda,
Thanks so much for the lotion, it has been working great for Eva’s diaper rash and Brian’s cut on his hand.
Susan D.

Check out our lotion in our online store.

Tags: cut, diaper rash, lotion, testimonial

Neem can be your powerful ally during the winter cold and flu season. Native to India the Neem tree has been cherished for centuries. Forefathers suggested at least one tree be planted in front of each home due to the many antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Hospitals in India actually use crushed neem leaves, creating a disinfectant powder that is sprinkled on beds, believing this lessens the spread of disease.

Many research studies can be found documenting lab test results into neem’s antiviral properties, showing the leaf extracts of the plant inhibited replication of tested viral strains. Neem’s rich chemical constitution of flavonoids, triterpenoids and their glycosides are believed by researchers to be responsible for the herb’s antiviral potency.

Putting JustNeem’s gentle soaps into your regular routine of washing hands and body will wipe out viruses and bacteria, but without the side effects of strong chemicals. Put neem to work as your wellness advocate, with all the benefits provided by JustNeem’s moisturizing, healing, and soothing scents.

But don’t take our word for it, try any of our products and see the benefits for yourself!

Tags: antifungal, antiviral, gentle, moisturizing, virus

This week we hear from Hanna from New Jersey.

For two winters now, I have been using JustNeem’s bath salts. Bathing in it relaxes my stiff muscles and purifies my skin. I had a skin rash for many years but since I began using JustNeem’s products, it disappeared.
Hanna R.
New Jersey

Who doesn’t like a relaxing hot bath in the middle of winter? Check out our bath salts in our online store.

Tags: bath salt, purify, rash, relax, stiff muscles, testimonial

This week’s testimonial comes from a local JustNeem customer, Christine A. of Apex, North Carolina.

I picked up my first soap at Apex Peak Fest on May 3rd as the lady I spoke with told me of it’s antibacterial and antifungal properties. I broke my foot 6 weeks ago and have been wearing a cushion lined boot, but I can’t wash the lining everyday and this has really taken a toll on my foot. I have had trouble with the skin sloughing off and athlete’s foot. I thought I would give the soap a try. It has done wonders for my foot! Thank you for being at Peak Fest! I would much rather use something natural than chemicals to try to heal my foot.
Christine A.
Apex, NC

Check out our soaps and other prodcts in our online store.

Tags: antibackterial, antifungal, athlete's foot, foot, soap, testimonial

This week’s testimonial comes from Anne Z. of Virginia,

Hello!  I had to write, because I’m not one of these people who are easily sold on this type of product.  I was at the women’s retreat this past weekend and visited your table.   The lotion sample you gave us went onto my hands, and into my pocket for the weekend-  I used it occasionally- not really often, it’s a tiny sample!  



Two days later,  I noticed that my hands were healing-  I have some exema, and my hands dry out, knuckles and the sides of my fingers split and bleed, my cuticles get cracked and bleed- and they get SO sore!    I also have it on my elbows, and on my knees.  By Monday and this email, it has healed, and is only a slightly red, tuff patch of skin.  No flakes, no more splits, no ugly white dry skin.  

I’ve got to tell you that I have a very expensive cabinet of lotions that are going in the trash.   I’ve used stuff for weeks that didn’t do what JustNeem did in 3 days.    

I’ve ordered some JustNeem Cure, and Lotion too.  I’ve ordered an extra bottle of Cure for a friend.  

Thank you-  you have a very loyal converted user in Virginia!!!



Anne Z.
Virginia

Check out our lotions and other products in our online store.

Tags: cracked, cuticles, exema, healing, knuckles, lotion, split, testimonial

As you may already know, JustNeem is not a typical small business. Like any business, we try hard to cut costs and increase profit margins, but we also consider social good as one of the driving factors behind our business. Where we buy our neem leaves and how we give back to that community in Mauritania is one of the most important aspects of this business. Because of our emphasis on influencing the world for social change, we became interested in a non-profit called B Lab which certifies businesses with “B Corporation” status. We are proud to be a B Corporation and are excited about the possibilities of networking with the other members and possibly even a modified IRS tax code in the future that would recognize B Corporations as a legal entity. For more information about B Lab and B Corporations, check out their site. And be sure to visit our B Corporation page as well.

From the B-Lab website:
We hold these truths to be self-evident:

• That we must be the change we seek in the world.
• That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
• That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
• To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.

Tags: B Corporation, B-Lab, Be the change

This week’s testimony comes from Anjeanette S.

Some testimony for you:
I used to wash my face with the coconut soap and had the lavender at my tub and loved how wonderful it cleared up my blemishes and healed my skin. The neem also kept my skin from getting dry and itchy during the winter. I was bitten on my feet and ankles by fire ants after my dogs walked me through a mound. I came home and jumped in the tub to wash my feet. I used the neem soap and it immediately reduced the excruciating sting. I washed my feet again that evening before going to bed and the next morning the bites were gone! Those buggers hurt and the neem soap cleared the irritation right up!

I had a soap on hand when a co-worker had caught a case of poison ivy on his feet. He came into the office that day wearing flip flops because his feet were so irritated and they were beet red from itching them. I brought the soap the next day and told him to go home at lunch and wash his feet and to not put on the shoes he had been wearing. He came back with socks and shoes on and felt so much better. The next day, the sting and itch was almost gone, and was completely healed. He was so miserable and he just though I was so special because I gave him the “special” soap.

-Anjeanette S.

Check out our soaps in our online store.

Tags: itchy, poisen ivy, soap, testimony