If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear

Arthritis and Neem
http://www.neemaura.com/UsesPages/arthritis_and_neem.asp

Arthritis is broad term covering many types of joint ailments. The ailments can be autoimmune disorders, infections, 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. Distinguish-ing 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 ffie point where replacement surgery is needed.
Rheumatoid arthritis. A type of inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition caused by the body’s immune system attacking joint-lining tissue.
Infectious arthritis. Infectious agents include bacteria, fungi and viruses. This type of arthritis can affect anyone. Usually, prompt diagnosis and treatment results in recovery.
Gout. 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 nimbidin (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.