My two small children often get cold and coughs. I was thinking of giving them a capsule of neem every day to build their immunity. Is it a good idea?
Neem or Azadirachta indica has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years to maintain health. It is one of the main ingredients in blood purification formulas and in most traditional diabetes medication. It is also used for arthritis, rheumatism, for fevers including malaria, and to treat external and internal parasites. Neem twigs and leaves have been used by millions of people in India to brush their teeth and cleanse their gums and promote oral hygiene. In Ayurveda, the bark of the neem tree is considered an important ingredient that will strengthen an individual’s resistance to disease.
Many modern clinical studies have identified a number of compounds in neem that can effectively regulate the functions of the immune system. However, in my opinion, for children, it is not advisable to give neem every day as it could aggravate certain conditions such as asthma. There are several traditional compound medicines prescribed in Ayurveda texts that can boost children’s immunity. Depending on the constitution of your child and his/her health conditions, an Ayurvedic doctor would be able to prescribe the proper tonic to boost immunity.
