Neem- Sarva roga nivarini

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree from India and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. Neem is used as natural medicine, fungicide, pesticide and fertilizer and so, it has attracted a considerable amount of international interest. Indian Ayurvedic texts have described the Neem tree by associating its remarkable healing properties from as far back as 5000 BC. Its leaves were first founded at the excavation of Mohanjo-Daro in the era of Australoid and Dravidian (2000 BC). Ayurvedic texts in Sanskrit describes neem as ‘Sarva roga nivarini’ – (the universal healer or curer of all ailments), ‘Arishtha’ (perfect, complete and imperishable) and ‘Nimba’ from the term ‘Nimbati Syasthyamdadati’ which means ‘to give good health’. Even today, rural Indians refer neem as their ‘village pharmacy”. 

Almost every part of the Neem tree has been documented for some medicinal use. They are: Tonic and anti-periodic (root bark, stem bark, and young fruit), antiseptic and local stimulant (seed, oil, and leaves), stimulant tonic and stomachic (flowers), demulcent tonic (gum), and refreshing, nutrient, and alternative tonic (toddy).The ‘ Upavanavinod ’, an ancient Sanskrit treatise dealing with forestry and agriculture, cites neem as a cure for ailing soils, plants and livestock. Neem cake, the residue from the seeds after oil extraction increases soil fertility.

A neem tree in the front yard brings a lot of benefits. It gives out more oxygen than other trees. It purifies the polluted air. 

Neem, known for its medicinal properties is an effective herb to treat hair loss, dandruff and also encourages hair growth. Neem helps in healing mild skin problems like rashes, irritation, burns and infections with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps in nourishing dry skin. Apart from this, consuming neem on a daily basis also destroys excess bacteria in the intestinal region and cleanses your colon, further facilitating a smoother digestion. So guys, starting using neem leaves or neem powder on daily basis and e healthy!!If you have some space in your garden, plant neem and get some oxygen!!

source: https://natureneem.com/en/wonders-of-neem

SoapNuts

Soap nuts were the primary cleansing agents for bathing. Soap nuts are also known as soap berries,  Kumkudukaaya (Telugu), Reetha (Sanskrit/Hindi). Its scientific name is Sapindus, sap (soap) plus Indus (India). This nut was used not just in ancient India, but in ancient China as well. Its usage spread to Middle Asia and Europe, from India, hence the Latin name Sapindus.

Soap nuts need to be boiled to soften them up and then crushed to squeeze out the essence. This essence is the cleanser. It has a strong, pungent odour. It is really a great and natural cleanser. Soap nuts are still used till date, at least in South India. They are sold in abundance, in local grocer shops (nowadays, even supermarkets have them). They are cheap, safe, artificial chemicals free and super effective in eliminating skin bacteria. You’ll literally have your skin squeaking after a bath. One word of caution though; they cause extreme burning irritation if they get into the eyes. So, keep your eyes safe, till you get used to using it!

Even now soapnuts are used for hair wash. Its the best way to wash our hair without using chemical based shampoos. Many of the people also use these soapnuts to wash the laundry.

Tulasi-plant of life

Holy basil Which is commonly known as Tulasi- means  the incomparable one. As the name indicates no herbs can comparable with Tulasi with its huge benefits. Tulasi leaves and seeds are used in Ayurvedic medicines to relive stress, respiratory disorders, lung disesases, fever and cough. Tulasi leaves are also used as antibiotic. 

   In Hindu culture- Every individual day starts with Tulasi worship. It is considered as sacred plant in Hinduism. Many Hindus have tulsi plants infront of their home, often in special pots. The plant is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes.

What is the reason behind lighting diya??

Today we are having electrical lights but please think of the past. We dont have any electricity and the only way to get light is 'oil lamps'. Moreover people used to live in dark huts, so they need oil lamps not only night but also day time.
  In sanskrit LIGHT symbolizes knowledge and DARK symbolizes Ignorance. In order to remove darkness we have to lit the LIGHT . So whenever initiating new things- people used to start with 'Lightening Diya' or 'Deeparadhana'


                                         
Why not light a bulb or tube light? That too would remove darkness.. But the traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the negatives get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

Holy Cow

Cow was sacred from ancient vedic times.In the Hindu tradition the cow is honoured and given special feedings in festival times all over India. In the Vedas cows represents wealth and joyous earthly life.In the Mahabharata, we have Bhishma saying: "Cows represent sacrifice. Without them, there can be no sacrifice…Cows are guileless in their behavior and from them flow sacrifices…and milk and curds and butter. Hence cows are sacred...".Of all gifts, gifting cow is still considered the highest in rural India. Lord Rama was given a dowry of thousands of Cows and bullocks when he married Sita Devi.
 
                             Kamadhenu aslo known as 'surabhi' is divine goddess described in Hinduism as mother of all cows. Kamadhenu is regarded as a form of Devi and is closely related to the fertile Mother Earth, who is often described as a cow in Sanskrit. The sacred cow denotes "purity and non-erotic fertility, ... sacrificing and motherly nature and sustenance of human life". All the gods are believed to reside in the body of Kamadhenu—the generic cow. Her four legs are the scriptural Vedas; her horns are the triune gods Brahma (tip), Vishnu (middle) and Shiva (base); her eyes are the sun and moon gods, her shoulders the fire-god Agni and the wind-god Vayu and her legs the Himalayas.
      The cow is believed to be a symbol of the earth - because it gives so much yet asks nothing in return.Because of its great economic importance, it makes good sense to protect the cow.



                                                                   *SAVE THE HOLY COWS*