So India’s Covid count has become world’s 3rd highest behind USA (2,950,000cases/130,000deaths), and Brazil (1,580,000 cases/64,365 deaths) . Presently India’s tally stands at 696,000 cases and 19,684 deaths. These figures are that of Saturday and India’s yesterday figure is 24,912 cases and 421 deaths. India’s have already added more than 112,000+ cases since the beginning of July 2020, now if this pace continues India might touch the million mark during this month, only solace is that the death rate is not going up appreciably, it still hovers around 3%.
Monsoon has set in Mumbai, and no body knows whether the wet season will give rise to Covid cases or not. Otherwise Mumbai’s condition with respect to Covid is not very good with 84,000+ cases and fatality rate of 5.8 %, which is much higher than the national average.
In my other topic of the day, I am writing about NEEM-THE AMAZING HERB. This herb that is wholly medicinal, is native to India and its uses dates back to more 5000 years. Almost all parts of this plant like its roots, leaves, barks, flower, seeds, and fruits are used for treating various disorders, like skin issue ( also used for chicken pox), eye disorders, ear ailments, stomach ulcers, fever, diabetes, liver, heart and blood issues, respiratory issues, teeth and gum issues.
In Ayurveda, Neem has a very special place, said to have almost 130 compounds that are extremely useful for human body and hence used for treating various body ailments. It is used as an anti viral and anti bacterial medicine, and it also possesses immune stimulants to aid good health. In villages mosquitoes are repelled by burning its leaves. In rural area many people use its twig to brush their teeth. It is in fact suitable insecticide. Studies have proved that Neem can tolerate very high levels of pollution and it even can recover after its foliage is dropped almost fully. It certainly cleans the surrounding atmosphere wherever it is planted.
Neem paste has been used to heal wounds and clear dandruff from hair from olden days. In fact taking a bath in water boiled with Neem leaves is said to keep skin clean and prevent skin disorders. Washing eyes with Neem water helps in removing irritants from eyes, and rejuvenates eyes by eliminating any tiredness. Pimples can be treated by applying Neem paste, you will notice that face creams, face washes and face packs have Neem as active ingredient in their formula. Neem is also being used in toothpaste. Neem oil is also used against skin diseases and mosquito repellent.
Govt headed by PM Modi has started Neem coated urea, which is used in agriculture, as the Neem coated urea work as inhibitor and releases the urea gradually into the ground, thus aiding better growth of the plant, resulting in better yields. Neem oil also sprayed on crops as an insecticide to protect them.
Many people take Neem juice regularly to maintain their health, and also try and prevent diseases. Since Neem has many benefits, the juice usually extracted from its leaves, fruits and flowers provide all these benefits. Also being an herb, there are no side effects of consuming the same. Neem juice is said to help in controlling the blood sugar, improve metabolism and solve gastrointestinal issues, help in better liver function, and also improve the immunity against many diseases.
If you have access to Neem leaves, after washing the leaves, you can blend in mixer, and after straining can have the juice. However this juice is very bitter and difficult to consume. You may add some other fruits while blending to suppress its bitterness. Neem tea can also be prepared by boiling cup of water with 4 to 5 fried Neem leaves for 20 minutes. You can blend the same with honey, lemon or cardamom powder along with boiled Neem tea to make its consumption easier and bit tasteful.
Above are the benefits of Neem.
Waiting for your views/comments/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
6th July 2020