Neem Oil May Help Improve Skin Health and Protect Plants

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree that’s native to India, but is also found in other parts of Asia, as well as in Africa and America. It is highly valued for its medicinal properties and has been extensively used in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine for thousands of years.¹ It was even called “Arishtha” in Sanskrit, which means “reliever of sickness.”²

From the bark to its flowers, every part of the neem tree can be utilized for medicinal, industrial and agricultural purposes. One of the ways to reap the health benefits of the neem tree is by using the oil that’s extracted from its seeds.³

Organic neem oil has a strong, pungent aroma and an extremely bitter taste. Its color may vary from yellow to brown, depending on the method that’s used to extract it.^4,5 While it doesn’t smell or taste as enticing as other herbal oils, neem oil offers a wide array of benefits and uses, making it a worthy addition to your regimen.

Potential Health Benefits of Neem Oil

According to modern studies and ancient medicinal beliefs, neem oil may potentially provide the following health benefits:

Agricultural Use of Neem Oil

In addition to its medicinal uses, neem oil is also found to be useful for protecting crops against pests, as it provides natural pesticidal properties. Among its active compounds, azadirachtin affects insects the most, causing 90 percent of the pesticidal effect on most pests, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science.¹⁵

Neem oil has other broad effects on insects: It helps alter development, inhibits feeding, hinders reproduction and suppresses the fertility of pests. Pollinator insects, such as bees, are not likely to be harmed by neem oil, since it must be ingested in order for it to take effect. It’s also nontoxic to birds, mammals and other plants, but it’s moderately toxic to fish and other aquatic animals.^16,17

When used properly, neem oil may also help get rid of plant insects that are difficult to eradicate, such as spider mites. However, to successfully get rid of spider mites, you have to apply neem oil on your plant frequently (ideally once a week or more), preferably when the temperature is below 90 degrees Fahrenheit and when the plant is not water-stressed.¹⁸

Neem Oil Composition

Neem oil contains around 100 biologically active compounds, the most important of which is azadirachtin, which gives it those potent pesticidal properties and antiradical scavenging activity previously discussed.¹⁹ Another active compound of neem oil is nimbin, which contributes to its antiseptic, antifungal, antipyretic and antihistamine properties.

Other important compounds in neem oil include nimbidin, nimbidol, gedunin, salannin and quercetin. It also contains amino acids, sulfurous compounds, flavonoids and essential fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid, all of which are vital for your overall health.^20,21

How to Make Infused Neem Oil at Home

Extracting oil from neem seeds can be an elaborate process. One method is through cold-pressing, which involves opening the seeds and separating the kernels. The kernels are then pressed using industrial expellers or wooden presses. Other methods of extraction are steam distillation and solvent extraction. However, these yield lower-quality oil compared to cold-pressing.²²

If you don’t have the equipment to extract oil from neem seeds, you may opt to make cold-infused neem oil at home. This method transfers the healing properties of neem into a carrier oil,²³ and since it doesn’t involve heat, will keep the beneficial compounds from breaking down.²⁴ Follow these steps to create your own cold-infused neem oil at home:^25,26

How Does Neem Oil Work?

Several studies have been done on neem oil to examine its biological compounds and determine its mechanism of action.

For instance, a study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that neem oil’s ability to fight against free radicals is caused by its rich antioxidant content, along with the compounds azadirachtin and nimbolide, which show “concentration-dependent antiradical scavenging activity.”²⁷

Another study published in the journal Investigational New Drug shows that the limonoids found in neem oil may be useful in the management of cancer, as it helps inhibit cell proliferation and induce cancer cell death.²⁸

The Side Effects of Neem Oil That You Should Be Aware Of

While neem oil is generally considered safe for most adults, it is highly potent because of its powerful compounds, which is why it may cause side effects in people with the following conditions:²⁹

• Autoimmune disease — Neem oil may stimulate the immune system and make it more active, which may exacerbate the symptoms of autoimmune disease.
• Diabetes — If you’re taking any diabetes medication, it’s best to avoid using neem oil without monitoring your glucose levels carefully, as it may cause your blood sugar levels to drop too low.
• Pregnancy — If taken orally during pregnancy, neem oil may cause miscarriage.

Neem oil is also considered unsafe for children, especially when taken orally. Some of the side effects of neem oil in children include vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, to name a few.³⁰

Have You Experienced the Benefits of Neem Oil?

With scientific studies to support its benefits, there’s no doubt that neem oil is worth a try. If you’re planning to buy this herbal oil from the grocery or from online stores, make sure that it comes from a trusted organic brand to guarantee that it’s not contaminated with substances that may potentially harm your health.³¹

You should also check its color, consistency and smell. Neem oil should look yellow and cloudy, with a pungent odor that smells similar to garlic and sulfur.³²

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Neem Oil

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