Neem (Neemba in Sanskrit) has been used for millennia for its healing properties. It’s a natural herb from the neem tree, also known as Indian lilac. Ayurvedic practitioners use its fruits, seeds, oil, leaves, roots, and bark for a variety of ailments. The tree has recently been introduced to other parts of the world, particularly Africa and tropical America, where it continues to grow in popularity.

Benefits of Neem

Neem is best known as a general antiseptic used to soothe various skin diseases, infections, and burns. The leaves are often made into a poultice to help soothe boils, ulcers, and eczema, while the oil is used against scrofula and ringworm.

Some studies have shown neem helpful in treating body infections that have become immune to synthetic fungicides, such as:

  • Trichophyton: an athlete's foot fungus that infects hair, skin, and nails
  • Epidermophyton: a ringworm that invades both skin and nails of the feet
  • Microsporum: a ringworm that invades hair, skin, and (rarely) nails
  • Geotrichum: a yeast-like fungus that causes infections of the bronchi, lungs, and mucous membranes

Neem’s insecticidal properties also make it a popular mosquito repellent and treatment for head lice.

Ways to use neem leaves

  1. Skin: Create a paste of neem leaves and turmeric and apply it to mild skin problems. A paste made of just neem leaves should be applied to insect bits to help relieve itching and inflammation.
  2. Eyes: Do you have irritated, red, or tired eyes? Try boiling neem leaves. After the water cools, use it to wash your eyes.
  3. Hair: Dandruff is another skin condition that can be treated with neem. Boil neem leaves until the water is green. Once cool, the water can be used for rinsing your hair of shampoo.


Use additional parts of the neem tree

  1. Neem flower: Neem flowers are used in dishes such as Pachadi, flower rice, lentils and rasam. They are also often used as a garnish in other dishes.
  2. Neem oil: Extracted from neem seeds, neem oil is best known for its medicinal properties, often used in hair oil, soap, shampoo, and lotion. Use it as a mosquito repellent, or blend it with coconut oil to treat and sooth dry or irritated skin.
  3. Neem twigs: Neem is also used to promote tooth and gum health, and people often chew on it or use it as a type of toothbrush to maintain their oral health.

These are only some of the benefits of neem. For example, it can also be used to protect indoor plants from bugs. Chances are, you can use neem in a variety of ways in your home.

Check out a few of our products containing neem:

Dabur Herbal Neem Toothpaste

Himalaya Neem and Turmeric Soap

Patanjali Dant Kanti Toothpaste

Patanjali Kesh Kanti Natural Hair Cleanser

Patanjali Kesh Kanti Hair Oil

Himalaya Whitening Antiplaque Toothpaste with Charcoal and Black Seed Oil

Click here for more neem products

 

No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

 

Resources

National Research Council (US) Panel on Neem. "Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems." National Library of Medicine. 1992. Accessed 4/13/23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234637.

"Neem: The Most Cost-effective Herb with Innumerable Benefits." Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Accessed 4/13/23.  https://ayushnext.ayush.gov.in/detail/writeUps/neem-the-most-cost-effective-herb-with-innumerable-benefits.