What is Neem?
Native to India and southeast Asia, neem is inarguably one of Mother Nature’s most remarkable offerings. No other plant yields as many viable products and by-products as this tropical evergreen.
Depending on where you live, you may find that neem trees are known by other names. Not surprisingly, most of these terms depict its incredible value. For instance, in Sanskrit, it’s referred to as ‘Arista’ meaning something that is complete, perfect and imperishable. In Kenya, its Kiswahili name is ‘Muarubaini’, which translates to a tree of forty cures.
So what is it about the neem tree that makes it so popular? What health benefits does it offer and how is it consumed? Read on to learn more about neem.
Overview of Neem
Neem is a botanical sibling of mahogany and is hence classified under the Meliaceae family.
A fast-growing tree, neem can reach a height of up to 98 ft and 9 ft in girth. Its leaves spread out across the landscape, providing much needed shade from the sun.
The neem tree also bears dozens of tiny, white flowers with a honey-like scent. Its fruits are smooth with a yellow-green hue and sweet flavor profile.
One of neem’s key highlights is its drought tolerance. While most trees require water to survive, neem thrives with little quantity of it. Research shows that it can survive drought periods lasting up to eight months.
The Amazing Benefits of Neem
What’s interesting about neem tree is that nearly every part of it is beneficial. From the twigs to the leaves, bark, seeds, fruits, flowers and root system, this is a true powerhouse. Here are the main health perks of neem:
Skin Benefits
Anti-Aging Product
Worried that you’re developing wrinkles too early? Well, neem products might just be the answer you’ve been looking for.
Neem oil in particular has a high content of vitamin E and fatty acids, both of which prevent your skin from aging too fast.
Combat Acne
When it comes to beauty-related issues that annoy me, acne ranks pretty high on the list. Some pimples just never go away, regardless of the skincare regimen I try. If you have acne-prone skin like me, neem is your best bet.
Based on a 2019 study, soaps formulated with extracts from neem bark and leaves were found to prevent growth of different strains of bacteria. So, say goodbye to those blemishes and breakouts by investing in a quality neem skin care product.
Improve Skin Health
Even if you’re one of the lucky souls to have flawless skin, your skin can still benefit immensely from neem products. Research shows that neem boosts production of collagen and elastin. Both of these proteins are responsible for giving structure and shape to your skin.
Hair Benefits
Get Rid of Dandruff
If you’ve ever experienced dandruff, then you probably understand how annoying it is to find small, white specks stuck on your favorite black cardigans.
Now, the good news is, this condition can be treated easily using neem-enriched hair products. Thanks to its powerful anti-fungal attribute, it’s great for fighting Malassezia fungus that causes dandruff. Neem also helps to relieve dandruff symptoms such as redness and irritation.
Prevent Early Greying
Having your hair turn grey is an inevitable part of aging. But if you don’t want to start developing any wiry silver hair strands in your 20s and 30s, neem oil is the ultimate solution. It prevents hormonal imbalance, which is one of the causes of premature greying.
Conditions Dry Hair
Struggling with rough and dry hair or frizzy cuticles? Consider switching to hair products formulated with neem extracts. Not only can they help to hydrate your hair but also improve overall hair health.
Bolsters your Immune System
As this study published in the National Library of Medicine reveals, neem is also an excellent immune-booster. To be specific, neem leaf extract possesses immunomodulating properties. This simply means that it can alter how the immune system functions for the better.
How to Apply Neem
Thanks to the extensive research conducted on this plant species, we’ve discovered enormous applications of neem. But what’s the best way to use it?
External Use
Topical application is the most recommended way to use neem. You can apply it in the form of leaf paste or seed oil.
But before applying any product on your skin or other intended area, it’s always wise to perform a patch test first. Essentially, apply a tiny amount of the solution on your forearm and observe the reaction. If you don’t experience any negative effects, then it’s completely safe for use.
Now, if you’ll be applying the neem product on your hair, be sure to massage it thoroughly on your scalp; work your way from the roots to the ends.
To use neem topically, consider:
Bathing in neem-infused water- you can add the contents of the neem product you’ve prepared (seed oil or leaf paste) to your bathing water. Repeat this practice daily for optimal results.
Using neem-formulated soap- alternatively, you can purchase a neem-formulated soap or make your own homemade version. Add this to your body wash to improve skin health and keep infections away.
Investing in neem products- whenever you’re purchasing neem body lotions, skin creams or hair products, look for ones formulated with neem extracts
How to Make Neem Products at Home
Neem leaf paste
Neem leaf paste is good for alleviating skin problems such as itchiness and blemishes. To prepare this paste, gather some fresh neem leaves and soak them in fairly hot water.
Once the leaves soften, remove them from water and grind them using a pestle and a mortar. Apply the resulting paste on the skin area you wish to treat or cleanse. Let it sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing off with fresh, cold water. You can repeat this regimen as many times as you want or until your skin improves.
Neem seed oil
Did you know that you can make neem seed oil too at home? Sure, it might not be of the highest quality. But, it will be enough for basic applications.
First, look for neem seed kernels. Place them in a mortar, then crush or grind them. Transfer them to a seperate container with water. Leave the solution for a while until the oil floats on the surface. This will make it easy to skim off the oil and apply it on the target area.
Internal Use
Another way to benefit from neem is by taking neem capsules/tablets orally. Formulated using pure neem extract, these are completely safe to ingest. However, WebMD recommends a daily intake of no more than 60 mg of the neem product for about 10 weeks.
While neem does confer numerous health perks, it’s advisable to consult your general physician before using neem in any way.
You should be particularly careful if you’re taking:
Antidiabetic medication
Lithium
Immunosuppressants
Conclusion
Neem is a century-old herbal treatment that has stood the test of time. It possesses anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent all-round medication.
When applied on your skin, it helps to combat acne, delay aging and improve overall skin health. You can also apply it on your hair, especially if you’re looking to get rid of dandruff, prevent premature graying and keep hair moisturized.