ARTHRITIS and NEEM
Arthritis is a broad term covering many types of joint ailments.
The ailments can be autoimmune disorders, infections, and the result
of wear on the joints or simply inflammation. Generally though it is
the inflammation or the pain associated with it that is treated
regardless of the origin. Neem can aid in treating arthritis in many
ways. Neem's antibacterial properties can help kill infectious
causes while its inflammation reducing properties and pain
suppressing properties can alleviate the symptoms. Neem can also
help create a balance in the immune system which directly affects
progression of the disease (Kores, 1993).
Arthritis is one of the most common medical problems in the United
States there are more than 100 forms of it, and each has varying
causes, symptoms and treatments.
Warning signs of arthritis include:
Swelling in one or more joints
Prolonged early morning stiffness
Recurring pain or tenderness in any joint
Inability to move joint normally
Redness and warmth in a joint
Unexplained fevers, weight loss or weakness with joint pain
Any of these signs, when new, that lasts for more than two weeks
requires prompt medical attention. Distinguishing arthritis from
common aches and pain, along with determining the type of arthritis,
is important for treatment.
Common types of arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis caused by normal wear and tear on the joints, this
chronic condition is usually not serious. However a joint may
degenerate to fife point where replacement surgery is needed.
Rheumatoid arthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis, is a chronic
condition caused by the body's immune system attacking joint-lining
tissue.
Infectious arthritis agents include bacteria, fungi and viruses.
This type of arthritis can affect anyone. Usually, prompt diagnosis
and treatment results in recovery.
Gout is most common in
men older than 40 and is caused by formation of uric add crystals in
a joint.
A number of studies indicate the usefulness of neem in treating
arthritis. There have been numerous studies on the ability of
extracts of neem leaf to reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis
(Bhargave, 1970) (Okpanyi, 1981). One study suggested that the
phenolic compounds containing catechin (known to possess
anti-inflammatory properties) may produce the anti-inflammatory
effects witnessed (Van der Nat, 1991). Another study discovered
quercetin, a known antibacterial compound, in neem leaves. (Basak,
1968) Others concluded that the polysaccharides in neem reduce the
inflammation and swelling associated with arthritis (David, 1978);
(Fujiwara, 1984); (Brahmachari and Sharma, 1958).
Different parts of the tree and many extracts of each were tested.
Compounds, like nimbidin, extracted from the seed with alcohol,
showed significant effects against arthritis (Pillai, 1981a) as have
methanol extracts of the leaf and bark (Van der Nat et al., 1991).
The reason these compounds work is believed to be due to several
factors. Several leaf compounds have been shown to be more potent
inhibitors of prostaglandin than aspirin (Okpako, 1977). Limonoids
and catechin in the leaf and seed (Swarnalakshmi et al., 1981); (Rao
et al., 1983) may provide additional beneficial effects. Other
possible explanations point to an inhibition of the release of
mediators of acute inflammation. An antihistaminic effect of nimbi
din (underlying its anti-gastric ulcer activity) has been reported
(David, 1969, 1978); (Pillai and Santhakumari, 1984a). Also, a
modification of the immune response appears to reduce the generation
of inflammation-producing chemicals (Van der Nat et al., 1987, 1989,
1991).
In any case, the long history of using neem leaf, bark and seed
extracts to relieve inflamed joints is borne out by the recent
scientific investigations. Treatment for arthritis is traditionally
a mild neem
leaf tea
coupled with rubbing a warmed neem-based cream on the stiff or
painful areas as needed.
Thank
you for being an “Abaco
Neem” Customer
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Abaco Neem
P.O. Box AB 20317
Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas
Phone: (242) 367-4117 * Fax: (242) 367-4118
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