Tree birch used to brush teeth in Pakistan?

Question

A friend was telling me that, when she visited Pakistan, the people there were cleaning their teeth with a tree birch. It is making the teeth really white. She used it with success but forgot how it is called.

Any of you have heard of it? Thank you.

Answer 1

In India, the tree is variously known as "Divine Tree", "Heal All", "Nature's Drugstore", "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases". Products made from neem have proven medicinal properties, being anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-infertility, and sedative. It is considered a major component in Ayurvedic medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease[citation needed].

1.  Neem twigs are used for brushing teeth in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This practice is perhaps one of the earliest and most effective forms of dental care.

2.  All parts of the tree (seeds, leaves, flowers and bark) are used for preparing many different medical preparations.

3.  Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, shampoo, balms and creams), and is useful for skin care such as acne, and keeping skin elasticity.

4.  Besides its use in traditional Indian medicine the neem tree is of great importance for its anti-desertification properties and possibly as a good carbon dioxide sink.

5.  Practictioners of traditional Indian medicine recommend that patients suffering from Chicken Pox sleep on neem leaves.

6.  Neem Gum is used as a bulking agent and for the preparation of special purpose food (those for diabetics).

7.  Aquaous extracts of neem leaves have demonstrated significant antidiabetic potential.

Answer 2

here in INDIA we called it Datan

Answer 3

this has been going on for centuries. very very old story( sorry, fact ) ( it is the birch of NEEM tree )

Answer 4

YEs, people used to do that in the past.. now Colgate toothpaste is the most common :D

Well i know of 2 trees , Babool (or Babhul) and Neem .. people chew on the little branches of these trees.