Ayurveda's Tree of Life - a tradition passed down from a Sri Lankan Doctor

Our company, which procures raw materials from all over the world and distributes raw ingredients to cosmetics and health food manufacturers on a global scale, has an R&D and International Divisions with multicultural environment. Dr. Arunasiri Iddamalgoda, originally from Sri Lanka, played a crucial role in passing on to the cosmetics and health food industries a philosophy of traditional Indian medicine system Ayurveda and a plant called "Neem" which plays an essential role in Ayurveda. Let us show how the story unfolded and the great benefits that Neem has to offer.

　

"Village Pharmacy" Neem and its vital role in the lives of the Indian people

Dr. Arunasiri Iddamalgoda is a former Sri Lankan veterinarian who studied in India. He joined our company in 2002 on a personal invitation from the president of ICHIMARU PHARCOS. Once he was part of the team, it was no surprise that the first challenge was to use his expertise to introduce an astonishing plant native to India.
Faced with this challenge, the plant that came to Dr. Iddamalgoda′s mind was the Neem tree. This tree is found in many Indian and Sri Lankan households and it is also known as the "Village Pharmacy" for the many health benefits it offers: eating its leaves prevents infections and lifestyle-related diseases, its branches are used for teeth brushing, and its seed oil is used to make soap. This versatile tree plays an essential role in the lives of the Indian people, just like how aloe is viewed as a versatile plant by the Japanese people.
In addition, Neem leaves stewed in brown sugar are eaten over the Indian New Year, and it is said that the Father of Independence, Gandhi himself, ate the leaves of the Neem tree every day and held meetings under them.

　

　

The contributions of Ayurveda to the health and beauty of the Japanese people

Unlike Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been integrated into Japanese life for centuries, geographic and linguistic obstacles may have played a part in the relative obscurity of the traditional Indian medicine Ayurveda in Japan. Ayurveda is a legitimate field of medicine with a very long history, and Dr. Iddamalgoda found it unfortunate that it had not been popularized in Japan. This motivated him to spread the Ayurvedic philosophy, and he began his research from a scientific standpoint.
He hypothesized that the main reason for Neem′s popularity as a traditional remedy was largely due to its anti-inflammatory property. From there, he began to identify properties that would be beneficial for beauty and health. As a result, he discovered that Neem was able to suppress loose histamine, which causes allergies and inflammation, inhibit the enzyme COX, which is known to induce inflammation, and suppress melanin production. This meant that Neem was effective in preventing skin pigmentation and sensitivity.
Furthermore, Neem was also found to be useful in body care, particularly for weight loss, due its ability to reduce accumulated fat tissues.

　

The Neem tree, ensuring people′s happiness

As described above, the benefits of the "Village Pharmacy" Neem have been proven scientifically. It is said that a Neem tree is planted at bus stops in India as a kind of shrine. It is not difficult to see that this caring tree has ensured people′s happiness since ancient times by providing various health and beauty benefits.
It just so happens that NEEM Leaf Liquid was developed when the beauty industry in Japan was fascinated by anti-inflammatory effects on sensitive skin, and the phrase "metabolic syndrome" was being popularized in the US. Aided by these factors, NEEM Leaf Liquid gradually grew in popularity.
ICHIMARU PHARCOS is also a supporter of the Japan Neem Association, a non-profit organization that was established to promote Neem for a harmonic relationship between people and nature. Dr. Iddamalgoda has been busy giving lectures at United Nations University, and supporting projects that give back to Neem producers, building wells and schools. We believe it is safe to say that Neem has united the hearts of people from around the world and helped give a bit of happiness to those whose hearts it has touched.