Karanja

 Karanja and neem oils both have been used widely in India for centuries to cure a variety of ailments. They are still used in Ayurvedic medicine, as well as by cosmetic companies and companies that manufacture pesticides. While there is a long tradition of medical use for both karanja and neem oils, more clinical study is needed on their benefits and possible complications, such as interactions with medicines.

History

Neem oil has been used in India since at least 4000 BC. It's been referred to in ancient Indian scripts as "the curer of all ailments." Neem trees have long been considered good luck in India and are often referred to as "the village pharmacy," according to Uncle Harry's Natural Products of Redmond, Washington. 

Karanja oil has been used in India for hundreds of years. It's a hardy plant that can thrive in many conditions. It can now be found in Florida, Hawaii, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Seychelles, Oceania and the Philippines.

Identification

Neem oil is cold-pressed from kernels of fruit from the Azadirachta indica tree, which is an evergreen. All parts of the tree can be used medicinally, according to University of Oklahoma's Plant of the Week website. The main active ingredient in neem is azadirachtin, an insect repellent. 

Karanja oil is cold-pressed from seeds of the Pongam tree (Pongamia glabra). The oil is reddish-brown, rather viscous and non-edible. Karanja oil has a milder aroma than neem oil. Karanja oil's aroma often is described as "nutty," advises the Natural Beauty Workshop. Thus, it's seen as more versatile than neem oil for use in products like soaps and shampoos.

Function

Neem oil is used both internally and externally. It is thought to prevent free-radical damage in the body, remove toxins and purify blood. Neem's medicinal properties are antibacterial, antidiabetic, antimalarial, antitumor and antiulcer. It's also thought to have positive effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Neem oil contains essential fatty acids and vitamin E. 

Karanja oil is a cousin to neem oil, so has similar therapeutic benefits. Karanja oil is most prized and used for its antiseptic and insecticidal functions. It's most often used externally.

Use

Neem is a key herb for both Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. It is considered to be a cure-all in India. It's used in treating a wide variety of illnesses, diseases and problems, including psoriasis, herpes, allergies, ulcers, hepatitis, cancer and periodontal disease. It's also used to boost the immune system. The oil is used for moisturizing, as well. Neem is often used in toothpastes, lotions and soaps today. It's also used as a natural insecticide. Taken internally, neem is purported to kill parasites and pathogens in the body by making the blood "bitter."

Karanja is used in Ayurvedic and folk medicines for eye ailments and skin diseases such as eczema, biliousness, itch, rheumatism, wounds and worms. It's also used to prevent bacterial growth in the mouth. Many use karanja as a pesticide against lice, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, mites and flies for both people and animals. Karanja oil is also used on pets to treat scabies. Karanja oil is widely used in soaps, leather tanning and topical liniments. It's utilized agriculturally as well, because it's a good natural pest repellent.

When mixed together, the oils are effective for treating mange in pets. For example, Snowdrift Farm recommends mixing 1 to 2 oz. of karanja oil and neem oil into the amount of shampoo you regularly use on your pet to treat mange.

Considerations

Few studies have been done on drug interactions for these oils, so people who use medications need to check with a doctor before use. Because of neem and karanja oils' strength, producers recommend caution if using internally. 

Children, nursing moms and pregnant women should not use the oils internally. Some infants have died as a result of internal use of neem, and long-term use of neem oil has been linked with both kidney and liver dysfunction, according to Botanical.com, which advises that in large doses neem may be toxic. 

Both neem and karanja are often used in modern-day pesticides. Essential oils from plants generally are considered minimum-risk pesticides. They are exempt from Environmental Protection Agency registration. However, many plant-derived products that consumers can buy haven't been judiciously evaluated for either efficacy or safety, according to the 2009 "Journal of Economic Entomology," published by the Entomological Society of America

Name: KARANJA

Botanical name : Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre (Derris indica (Lamk.) Bennet.)

Family : Fabaceae 

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Karanja, Naktamala, Gucchapushpa, Udakeerya, Krimimardana
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 
Rasa    : Tikta, Katu, Kashaya 
Guna   : Lakhu, Teekshna, Snigdha
Virya   : Ushna
Vipaka: Katu
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English     : Indian beech, Pongam oil tree
Hindi        : Karanj
Malayalam    : Ungu, Pungu, Pongu
Distribution – Throughout India cultivated as well as growing wild. 
PLANT DESCRIPTION 
A moderate sized semi ever green tree grows up to 20 meters in height. Leaves pinnately compound, leaflets 5-7, ovate, elliptic, acuminate; flowers pinkish white, fragrant, arises from axillary racemes; fruits pale green colored, thick and hard, compressed, turns dark grey when ripe, containing 1-2 seed per pods.   
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES 
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, skin diseases, flatulence, diarrhea, cough, arthritis, ulcers, wounds, diabetes, inflammation, low back pain, fever, hemorrhoids, and anemia. 
Useful part    :    Root, Bark, Flower, Seed, Oil.