Neem or Azaridachta Indica has a special place in Indian households. From our skin, hair care to healing injuries, neem is used in a myriad ways and is truly one of the best gifts India has got to offer the western world. India’s love affair with the bitter wonder goes back more than thousand years. In Ayurveda, neem is one of the most prized herbs. Neem’s medicinal and healing properties are fast becoming a subject of interest for the west too now. In the book ‘Home Doctor: Natural Healing With Herbs, Condiments And Spices’, Dr. P.S. Phadke writes “every part of this tree is used and has antiseptic qualities. Special oils prepared from the leaves and seeds are used to treat leprosy and other skin diseases such as eczema, ringworm and scabies. Dandruff is cured by using water with neem leaves as rinse. The tender twig of the tree is used as toothbrush to clean the teeth. Its leaves, fruits and the bark are used to treat fevers, sore throats, earache, mouth ulcers, gingivitis, cholera, intestinal worms…pimples, hair problems and lice. ”
Why use Neem Twig as a Toothbrush?
One of the most ingenious uses of neem plant has to be its use in oral care and hygiene. If you have grown up in India, you may have seen many people using a neem twig to brush their teeth in the morning. Many people still start their day with neem datun. For the uninitiated, here is how it works. You are supposed to chew the end of a neem stick upto one inch. Chew until the twig shreds into bristles. You can use this twig to rub along your teeth as you do with a conventional brush.
Benefits of Brushing Teeth with the Neem Stick
- Makes your teeth whiter: Many of the toothpaste in the market claim that they’ll make your teeth whiter. If you see the list of ingredients, you’ll definitely find neem in them. Neem removes the yellowish color and makes your teeth whiter.
- Strengthens gums: It is a proven fact that neem strengthens the gums and provides a stronghold for your teeth. It also helps you from gum bleeding’s and gives healthy and strong gums.
- Keeps bacteria away: Mouth is the most vulnerable organ to bacteria. Because of the food we eat daily, the chance of developing bacteria is high. In order to keep bacteria away, a proper cleaning practice is necessary.
- Using neem stick every day to brush our teeth reduces the chances of bacteria development. The medicinal properties in neem help in fighting the bacteria and stop its growth thus keep your mouth clean and safe.
- Eliminates bad odor: We consume a lot of junk food in our daily life.Eating junk food and not cleaning it properly makes a place to bad odor. This is a very serious problem in most of the people. When proper cleaning of teeth doesn’t take place bacteria, like tartar and plaque, stores up which ultimately gives rise to bad odor. Using of neem stick while brushing solves this problem.
- Provides oral health: Neem has many antibacterial properties. Brushing with neem stick releases neem oil which is very vital in maintaining oral health.
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