Neem extract and nimbidin, a compound found in neem oil, may also treat dandruff due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Dandruff and scalp irritation may result from fungal buildup on the scalp 8 , Chewing neem bark to promote oral hygiene is a common practice in India Although more research is needed, studies indicate that neem may relieve pain and help treat gingivitis , periodontitis, and tooth decay 3.
Plus, in a day study including 45 people with gingivitis, neem mouthwash was found to be as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash — a heavy duty prescription mouthwash — at reducing gum bleeding and plaque Oxidative stress is caused by a buildup of unstable molecules called free radicals. Although your body naturally produces free radicals as a byproduct of metabolism, external sources increase their presence.
Some drugs, including cancer medication, painkillers, and antipsychotics, may contribute to oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage in your liver and kidneys Interestingly, one study on rats found that neem leaf extract reduced liver damage induced by high-dose acetaminophen Another rat study showed similar effects, suggesting that neem extract improved kidney tissue damage caused by chemotherapy medication Neem seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linoleic acids.
Collectively, these fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that promote healthy skin Keep in mind that while Ayurvedic medicine — an Indian traditional healing system — uses neem to treat psoriasis and eczema, very few scientific studies support these claims Historically, neem has been used to treat acne, reduce blemishes, and improve skin elasticity A test-tube study showed that neem oil may aid long-term acne treatment when added to solid lipid nanoparticles SLNs , a new type of drug formulation that offers a stable release of active ingredients Animal studies suggest that neem leaf extract accelerates wound healing through an increased inflammatory response and the formation of new blood vessels 8 , In a , day case study, applying mg of neem oil topically twice daily completely healed chronic skin ulcers In another study, 6 people with intestinal ulcers took 30 mg of neem extract orally twice daily.
After 10 days, acid secretion had declined significantly, and after 10 weeks, the ulcers were almost completely healed Neem may have several other health benefits, though results are mixed, and further studies in people are necessary. Neem contains active compounds called limonoids. A study in mice found that limonoids may be as effective at targeting malaria-infected cells as conventional treatments using chloroquine 2 , However, some test-tube studies show no positive effect of neem extract on malaria outcomes Keep in mind that neem is not widely used to treat malaria at this time.
We also provide tips for using neem oil on the skin. Neem oil derives from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree. These trees grow mainly in the Indian subcontinent. Neem oil is rich in fatty acids , such as palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids, which help support healthy skin.
The oil is, therefore, a popular ingredient in skin care products. The leaf of the plant also provides health benefits. The leaves contain plant compounds called flavonoids and polyphenols, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Researchers have only recently begun to examine how plant compounds influence health and disease.
As a result, few scientific studies have investigated the use of neem oil in general skincare or as a treatment for skin conditions. Authors of a review of the available research into medicinal uses of neem concluded that its extracts can help treat a variety of skin conditions, including:.
First, however, it is important to note that most of the studies involved cell lines or animals. Those that did involve humans only included small numbers of participants. This makes it difficult to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of neem in the general population. A study investigated the anti-aging effects of topical neem leaf extract in hairless mice. The researchers first exposed the mice to skin-damaging ultraviolet B radiation. They then applied neem oil to the skin of some of the rodents.
The researchers also found that the extract boosted levels of a collagen-producing enzyme called procollagen and a protein called elastin. Production of these compounds decreases as people age. This eventually leads to dry, deflated-looking, thin skin and the formation of wrinkles.
In one animal study , researchers discovered that neem oil showed superior wound healing effects, compared with Vaseline. Specifically, the rats that received topical neem oil healed more quickly. They also developed stronger and more resilient tissue at the sites of their wounds. A similar study compared the effects of saline and neem oil on wound healing in rats. During this time no association with increased cancer risk has been found. Studies showed that neem oil did not alter or damage genes.
In laboratory tests, animals were fed neem oil for 90 days. They did not have increased cancer rates. Further, one study found that certain components of neem oil caused cancer cells in hamsters to stop growing or die. Another study looked at prostate cancer cells from humans.
Researchers found that neem leaf extract was able to slow their growth. In rat studies, no effects were reported when the rats were fed either azadirachtin or clarified hydrophobic neem oil throughout their lives.
In general, children may be especially sensitive to pesticides compared to adults. When rats were fed neem oil in one study, their pregnancies ended. In another study, rats were fed azadirachtin in their diet throughout their lives. No effects to their offspring were found. Additionally, neem oil is used in toothpaste, cosmetics, soaps and traditional medicines around the world.
Therefore, people of all ages are commonly exposed to neem oil. No data were found to show that children are more sensitive than adults to neem oil. What happens to neem oil in the environment? Azadirachtin, a major component of neem oil, is rapidly broken down.
Microbes and light break down the pesticide in soil, water and on plants. The half-life of azadirachtin in soil ranges from 3 - 44 days. In water, the half-life ranges from 48 minutes to 4 days. It also rapidly breaks down on plant leaves; the half-life is 1 - 2. The remaining components of neem oil are broken down by microbes in most soil and water environments. What are the benefits of neem?
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