Meet Neem!
Neem (or Azadirachta indica) is one of the most widely known ayurvedic herbs and helpful for many common afflictions. If you don't know it, this is a good time to meet neem.
Neem is traditionally used to treat pitta or heat-related imbalance. Summer is the season of pitta dosha, a time when we all need to pay attention to imbalances that may result in skin disorders (rashes, acne, psoriasis, eczema, itchiness), hyperacidity, excess perspiration, diarrhea, infections, blood disorders, liver disorders and heat-related emotional imbalances (jealousy, anger, criticism, irritability).
Neem is very bitter and very cooling. It's a blood purifier and helps maintain healthy liver function. It's anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic and spermicidal (don't toss your other birth control methods just yet!)
Neem
can be used in several forms. Under the care of an ayurvedic
practitioner (comme moi, par exemple...I've been taking French class), dried neem-leaf powder may be taken internally. Neem
can aggravate vata dosha so it's important--as it is with every herb--to be mindful of who's
taking it, when and why.
· For thousands of years, neem sticks have been used as nature's toothbrushes. Researchers believe the tradition of using neem twigs for dental care has helped Indian villagers to avoid cavities and tooth loss even though they have no access to modern dental care. While I don't use a neem twig to brush my teeth, I do use a great, mint-flavored neem toothpaste, TheraNeem. (FYI: I'm not affiliated with TheraNeem in any way other than being a happy customer.)
· Neem oil and neem soap are traditionally used topically on rashes, acne, insect bites, eczema and psoriasis. Neem is safe to use on your pet's skin conditions as well. I recently bought a great product that combines neem and aloe vera gel (another cooling agent that soothes skin problems) so it's perfect for bug bites, sunburn, chapping, chafing and general irritation. It has very few ingredients and both the neem and aloe are organic. Neem has a strong smell but this product does not have any odor.
· Neem conditions hair and fingernails and is added to many shampoos and nail-care products, including Dr. Hauschka's Neem Nail Oil and TheraNeem's hair products.
· Neem is generally non-toxic to mammals and has minimal impact on beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Using neem oil has been shown to increase earthworm populations and add phosphorous and minerals to soil, boosting both the available nutrients and overall health of the soil. It is safe to use on livestock and domestic animals. In other countries, raw neem oil is used as a soil additive and foliar spray to help maintain healthy gardens and boost crop yields.
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KK Ayurveda Product Spotlight:
This gentle, non-foaming cleanser is suitable for all skin types. It contains a combination of mild natural ingredients: aloe, green tea, milk, lavender, chamomile and rose. Melts into your skin on contact, cleans deeply and gently without stripping the skin. (If you feel "squeaky clean" from a cleanser, you've over-cleansed.) Massage it into dry or damp skin then rinse with warm water or use a washcloth for mild exfoliation. Removes most eye makeup without irritation but please use caution around the eyes. You'll feel cleansed and dewy with no dryness or tightness.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
CONCIOUS RELAXATION: Serenity Now!
The
ancient yogis developed conscious relaxation (yoga nidra in Sanskrit) as a
method of achieving deep and complete relaxation of the body and mind. During this session, all you'll need to do is wear
comfortable clothing, lie down, be at ease and listen as I guide you
through systematic relaxation and visualization techniques.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
1p.m. to 2 p.m.
$20 Gilda's Club Chicago
Thursday, August 6
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Gilda's Club activities are free of charge to anyone who is living with or has been touched by cancer.
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Love, 