Neem oil

What is neem?

Medicinal & traditional uses of neem

References

What is neem?

The neem tree (azadirachta indica) is a native to India and Pakistan growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. It is now also widespread in East Africa and Asia. Neem is in the mahogany family meliaceae and is one of two species in the genus azadirachta. It is a fast-growing sub-tropical evergreen tree with widespread branches. It normally grows to a height of 15-20 metres (49-66 feet), rarely to 35-40 metres (115-130 feet).

Neem oil is made from its fruits and seeds. The leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds (fruit kernels), bark and gum are all used for various medicinal purposes as a central remedy in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Neem is used to treat a wide range of diseases in Ayurvedic medicine, particularly those caused by infections and infestations (even as a as a malaria prophylaxis!)

Neem oil and other products should only be used externally, unless under the guidance of an experienced practitioner. It is not toxic when used under expert guidance.

Neem oil is light to dark brown in colour, with a bitter smell like a mix of peanut and garlic.

Medicinal & traditional uses of neem

• Fungicide. Particularly useful for skin fungi.
• Anti-bacterial, including against Staphylococcus & Salmonella.
• Anti-viral. Small pox and chicken pox are treated with a paste of neem leaves - usually rubbed directly on to the infected skin.
• Pain relief - analgesic.
• Calmative.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Fever reduction - antipyretic.
• Lice. Neem oil is an effective treatment for head and body lice.
• Psoriasis. Neem oil and leaf extracts may be the wonder cure for psoriasis. It relieves the itching and pain while reducing the scale and redness of the patchy lesions.
• Dental Treatments. In India, millions of people use twigs to clean their teeth and gums every day. Neem is effective in preventing periodontal disease.
• Personal care. Neem oil is used in cosmetics, soap, shampoo, balms, skin creams and oral health products.
• Skin. Neem oil is used for beautiful skin, and to maintain skin elasticity.
• Insecticide. Neem products are used as an insecticide and insect repellent. They do not rapidly kill insects. Instead, they are long-term insecticides that slowly inhibit the insect so that it can no longer feed or breed or metamorphose.
• Malaria. Extract of neem leaves is used as a malaria prophylaxis.
• Contraceptive. The compounds nimbidin and nimbin have some spermicidal activity. (1) A Neem oil formulation called "Sensal" is now sold in India as a contraceptive.
• Abortive. One of the compounds in neem oil acts as an abortifacient.
• Urinary diseases (neem fruit).
• Piles (haemorrhoids) (neem fruit).
• Intestinal worms (neem fruit).
• Leprosy (neem fruit).

References

1. Kausik Biswas, Ishita Chattopadhyay, Ranajit K. Banerjee, Uday Bandyopadhyay. Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Current Science 82 (11).