Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Neem lotion Review & Ecolips Giveaway!


I am so excited to tell you about this new Neem healing lotion. First though I have to tell you about Neem:
Neem is a very beneficial herb. There is even a foundation created around Neem called The Neem Foundation. Here is a blurb about Neem from the foundation

"In Ayurvedic literature neem is described in the following manner: ‘Neem bark is cool, bitter, astringent, acrid and refrigerant. It is useful in tiredness, cough, fever, loss of appetite, worm infestation. It heals wounds and vitiated conditions of kapha, vomiting, skin diseases, excessive thirst, and diabetes. Neem leaves are reported to be beneficial for eye disorders and insect poisons. It treats Vatik disorder. It is anti-leprotic. It’s fruits are bitter, purgative, anti-hemorrhoids and anthelmintic’." (The Neem Foundation)

In Chinese Medicine, at the Acupuncture School I'm attending, we are taught that the characteristics of the herbs can also classify what they do for the body. That Neem bark is "cool, bitter, astringent, acrid and refrigerant" means that the herb is cooling, obviously because it says cool, directs downward and drains, a characteristic of being bitter, prevents the loss of fluids, a characteristic of astringent or sour, disperses, which can be good for accumulations like cysts and is a characteristic of acrid or spicy in flavor. Neem is mostly used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and has even been mentioned in Sanskrit medical writings.

"Renowned for its antiseptic and disinfection properties, the tree is thought to be particularly protective of women and children. Delivery chambers are fumigated with its burning bark (Margosa seed oil has been chemically tested as an external contraceptive, used by women as a spermicide). Dried margosa leaves are burned as mosquito repellent. Fresh leaves, notorious for their bitterness, are cooked and eaten to gain immunity from malaria.

Neem’s antiseptic properties are widely recognized now. “Neem preparations are reportedly efficacious against a variety of skin diseases, septic sores, and infected burns. The leaves, applied in the form of poultices or decoctions, are also recommended for boils, ulcers, and eczema. The oil is used for skin diseases such as scrofula, indolent ulcers and ringworm." (The Neem Foundation)

Neem oil has even been used to heal skin infections. From Associated Content:

"Neem oil is also very helpful with treating skin infections. Infections caused by bacteria (such as acne) or fungus (such as jock itch) are both curable by using neem oil. Using a little oil mixed with water and rubbing it on your face in the morning and at night just before bed can be very helpful. Not only can it cure your skin condition it can also prevent a deeper infection and prevent the condition from worsening and causing sepsis. In addition, hard to treat fungal infections such as jock itch or yeast infections can be effectively cured with a few applications of the neem oil. Many people who have had difficulty with treating their fungal infections through other methods are turning to neem oil as a solution."

I know I wrote alot above about Neem, but is is just so amazing, I wanted to show you others opinions and talk on it. Both Martin and I had a chance to try the lotion with Neem. It is labeled as men's lotion, but I was told it can be used my women as well, so I said what the heck and lathered it on.

Hubs says "It feels really nice and smooth and soft in my head." (he shaved his head) "It kind of smells like mishma" (which is a very relaxing herb with blueberry & strawberry leaves & catnip) that we get from a local Indian pow-wow party in Brooklyn that can be used as incense, tea or to smoke). 

I said "This is so smooth and not sticky at all like some lotions can feel. Just knowing that it includes neem makes me have confidence that by using it for a long period of time, it will heal some skin irritations I have. I can't smell a scent on it." (maybe Martin has a better sense of smell than me!) 

It is a great addition to our organic healing lotions that I am happy to try and continue to use.

The company that provided me with this sample for review is offering one of you a giveaway of each of the three Ecolips dagoba (natural cocoa) flavored organic lip glosses! I was able to try the lavender dagoba and it is yummy! and organic! How fabulous is that!? The flavors that you will receive are lavender dagoba, roseberry dagoba, and mint dagoba, they are so new they are not even posted on their website yet. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with which flavor you would like to try most (even though the giveaway is all three flavors). Giveaway ends Wednesday April 28 2010 and the winner will be chosen using random.org.


I'm guessing Neem oil could even be used in lip gloss (which you may see soon on my etsy shop!) or soaps...which you also may see soon in my etsy shop as my mom and I are making a batch just to sell on etsy in June so look out!
Thanks to stopping by!

WINNER ANNOUNCED - Sara from Domestically Challenged comment #1 is the winner of the ecolips gloss giveaway!
-Nikki

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