The sacred Neem tree is a native of Burma and India where it has always been honored as a health provider for humans, animals and plants. Every part of this sacred tree is used in some form on a daily basis in India. Neem translates into 'the healer and illness reliever'.The botanical name for Neem is 'Azadirachta Indica A Juss'

   Today scientific research validates the traditional uses of neem in both the maintenance of general health and skin care. Neem is clinically proven to be anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Neem has been proven effective against serious skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, herpes, shingles and many more. Neem has been shown to regulate the immune system, lower blood sugars, reduce fevers, fight gum disease, and act as a tonic for the heart. Despised by over 200 species of insects it is a safe and effective insecticide and bug repellent which is harmless to humans.

     Additionally, neem has been used historically to treat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, and to boost the immune system. Widely available in India, neem products until recently were virtually absent from the Western market, where the scientific validation gives them a competitive edge over many less proven products.

      Anecdotal reports of neem date back to the Middle Ages. Accounts of neem's successful use in treating skin lesions and a variety of ailments come from around the world. On the Indian sub-continent researchers have found more than 60 medicinal uses for neem. Today, modern science validates many of these traditional uses for a variety of health problems. Scientific research on the therapeutic benefits of neem continues unabated all over the world. Refer to our traditional uses pages for further reading about the many properties of neem and its ongoing research.

Acne and Neem
      Neem kills the bacteria that cause acne and reduces the inflammation that makes it so noticeable. Neem-based creams have even improved the appearance of people who have reddened skin from acne that ended years before. Apply a neem-based cream to moisturize and condition the skin....MORE

Dandruff and Neem
      As with other forms of dermatitis, neem is the herb of choice for controlling dandruff. Usually associated with imbalance in hormones, infections, or diets rich in fats and sweets. Internally, neem compounds counteract excessive sweets and seem to provide balance to hormones (Puri, 1993)....MORE

     To treat dandruff, apply a neem-based cream to the scalp shortly before bathing. This will loosen the scaly flakes and soften the scalp. After washing, apply a very small amount of neem cream to the scalp and towel dry the hair to remove any excess. Taking neem leaf tea, or using neem leaf capsules after an especially fatty or sugary meal will also help balance the body which can help prevent dandruff....More coming soon

Dry skin and Neem
     For mildly dry skin apply a neem lotion as a moisturizer. For severe dry skin, after washing, apply neem cream and repeat several times daily until the skin has recovered its natural balance....More coming soon

Itchy scalp and Neem
     Itchy scalps can be caused by any number of things, ranging from allergies and dandruff to mites. Washing the scalp with a neem shampoo and applying a small amount of neem lotion to the scalp afterwards will relieve each of these problems.....More coming soon

Skin ulcers and Neem
      Skin ulcers should be washed daily and covered with a neem lotion. For individual ulcers, apply neem leaf extract or damp whole leaves to the skin ulcer and cover with a gauze bandage overnight or until it is healed. Replace the bandage and extract daily. Drink two neem leaf teas daily for three days in severe cases....More coming soon

Psoriasis and Neem
       Neem oil is probably the best product currently available for treating psoriasis. It moisturizes and protects the skin while it helps heal the lesions, scaling and irritation. Experiments and reports from patients with psoriasis have shown taking neem leaf orally combined with topical treatment with neem seed oil appear to be at least as effective as coal tar and cortisone in treating psoriasis. (David, 1978)

      To soothe the skin you can add twenty neem leaves to the tub before turning on the hot water and soak in the neem filled water. After patting dry, apply a neem-based cream to the troubled areas. To enhance the effectiveness, oral doses of neem leaf work internally to produces quicker results than topical creams alone.

     Topical applications of neem are usually oil or cream based, neem helps to lubricate the skin. Neem's antibacterial and anti-viral compounds help prevent infections. It also can be used for extended periods of time without side effects. Neem can also take the place of oral medications and injections that may have strong side effects or cause liver damage or birth defects. It is perhaps the best and safest alternative for treating psoriasis....MORE

Neem and Allergies
      Neem inhibits allergic reactions when applied externally or consumed internally (David, 1978). Neem compounds inhibit the stimulus produced by histamine and may be helpful in skin rashes and bronchial allergy. Application of a neem-based cream or lotion will stop the itching and inflammation of rashes and neem tea may be taken internally for allergies to pollen, molds, etc....MORE

Shingles and Neem
      Believed to be caused by the same virus that causes Chickenpox, shingles works on the nerve endings, creating a painful burning sensation. Neem's ability to surround viruses and prevent them from entering and infecting cells makes neem one of the only agents capable of relieving shingles (Rao, et al, 1969)

     Topical applications of a neem-based cream should be applied to the affected area at least three times a day or as often as needed. For severe cases drink neem leaf tea after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Discontinue the tea after not more than two weeks but continue the topical application until the problem has been alleviated
....More coming soon

Research Articles
     Screening Azadirachta indica and Pisumsativum for possible antimalarial activities. Author: Abatan MO; Makinde MJ
Source: J Ethnopharmacol, 17(1):85-93 1986 Jul
Country of Publication: Switzerland

Alam, M.M., Siddiqui, M.B. and Husain, W. ( 1989) Treatment of diabetes through herbal drugs in rural India. Fitoterapia. Vol. LXI, No. 3. 240 - 242

Puri, H.S. (1993). Therapeutic uses of neem. (unpublished)

Rajasekbaran, S., Pillai, N.G.K.P., Kurup, P.B., Pillai, K.G.B. and Nair, C.P.R. (1980) Effects of nimbidin in psoriasis - a case report. Journal of Res. Ayurveda. 52 - 58

Van der Nat, J.M., Van der Sluis, W.G. de Haan, A.H.J.M., de Silva, K.T.D. and Labadie, R.P. (1986) Ethnopharmacological study of azadirachta indica. A conceptual evaluation. Plant Medicines. No. 6 p 552.

David, S.N. (1965) The anti-fungal activity of neem oil and its constituents. Mediscope, 8: 322-325.
David, S.N. (1969) Anti-pyretic of neem oil and its constituents. Mediscope. 12: 25-27.

Rao, A.R., Kumar, S.S.U., Paramasivam, T.B., Kamalakshi, S., Parashuraman, A.R., and Shantha, M. (1969) Study of antiviral activity of tender leaves of margosa tree (Melia azadirachta) on vaccinia and variola virus - A preliminary report. Indian Journal of Medical Research 57: 495-502.

Singh, N. and Sastry, M.S. (1981) Anti-microbial activity of neem oil. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 13: 102.
Singh, N., Misra, N., Singh, S.P. and Kohli, R.P. (1979). Melia azadirachta in some common skin disorders, a clinical evaluation. Antiseptic. 76: 677-679.
Singh, N., Nath, R., Singh, S.P. and Kohli, R.P. (1980) Clinical evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Melia azadirachta. Antiseptic. 77: 739-741