Updated on January 13th, 2023
In the world of Ayurveda, neem is a popular medicinal herb that is part of traditional treatments that date back nearly 5,000 years.
Also known as Azadirachta India in English or ‘Neemba’ in Sanskrit, the neem tree is truly a great example of how nature holds both the problem and the cure.
A traditional potent medicine, the health benefits of neem leaves have been understood for centuries. It would be unusual not to see a neem tree in any Indian home or neighborhood.
Neem leaves contain more than 130 different types of bioactive compounds, such as Nimbin, and Nimandial, which help keep the body healthy and promote a healthy life. Today we give you a little insight into the many health benefits of neem leaves.
Neem is known for its anti-aging properties. Due to its antioxidant properties, Neem protects the skin from harmful UV rays, pollution and other environmental factors.
The vitamins and fatty acids in neem improve and maintain skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It makes you and your skin look young and youthful again.
Neem is also beneficial in fighting fungal infections. Its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties keep harmful bacteria and fungi at bay. Thus, it protects the skin and keeps skin-related diseases at bay.
Health Benefits of Neem Tree
Although scientific research on neem is in its early stages, it shows promise for many aspects of health, including blood sugar management as well as benefits for your hair, skin, teeth, liver and kidneys.
1. Good for skin health
A paste of neem leaves and turmeric powder effectively reduces skin discoloration and lightening blemishes.
Neem leaves are often used to make face packs to keep the skin supple and moisturized. Daily use of neem leaves is also beneficial for the skin.
2. Builds immunity
Eating neem leaves boosts immunity, chew a handful of clean and washed neem leaves daily to protect against viral infections.
3. Removes toxins
Neem leaves have been known for their cleansing properties since ancient times. A mixture of neem leaves in the form of neem juice helps to flush out toxins from the body.
4. Good for bones
Neem is rich in calcium and hence good for bones. The message of neem oil on the joints helps relieve arthritis pain and reduces inflammation.
5. Hair Health
Its high antioxidant properties make it suitable for supporting the growth of hair follicles. Washing your hair with boiled neem water after shampooing is very effective in moisturizing the scalp and getting rid of dandruff and lice.
6. Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Fungal
It also has antibacterial properties. It kills unhealthy bacteria and thus cleanses the colon. Neem also has antifungal properties that can be helpful in India’s humid climate.
7. Iron Rich
Iron is essential for blood production, one cup of neem provides about 28.47% of the daily iron requirement.
8. Loaded with Anti-Oxidants
Being rich in antioxidants quercetin and nimbolide, it helps protect against free radical damage that can otherwise lead to other health complications like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
9. Oral Health
To maintain good dental hygiene as well, you can use neem leaves. They maintain alkaline levels of saliva, fight germs and keep breath fresh. Neem extract reduces the microorganisms in the mouth and prevents dental caries.
10. Good for Diabetes
A decoction prepared by boiling neem leaves also helps control blood sugar levels if consumed daily. In one study, neem leaf extract and seed oil exerted hypoglycemic effects. It may also help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
List of the best ways to use neem leaves
- Wound treatment: Make a paste of neem leaves and apply it on your wounds or insect bites a few times a day until they heal.
- Goodbye Dryness: Boil a bunch of neem leaves till the water turns green, and let it cool. Rinse your hair with this water after shampooing.
- Eye pain: Boil some neem leaves, let the water cool completely and then use it to wash your eyes. This will help with any irritation, fatigue or redness.
- Treat this diet: Grind a few neem leaves into a paste and apply it daily until the acne dries up. This paste also helps with any kind of breakouts, dark spots and old ulcers.
- Ear disease: Mix some neem leaves with honey. Use a few drops of this mixture to treat ear abscesses.
- Skin disorders: Turmeric mixed with neem leaf paste can be used for itching, eczema, ringworm and some mild skin disorders.
- Boost Immunity: Crush some neem leaves and drink them with a glass of water to boost your immunity.
Neem Medicines Special Precautions
Children: Taking neem seeds or oil by mouth is unsafe for children. Infants and young children may experience severe side effects within hours of taking neem oil. These serious side effects include vomiting, diarrhoea, drowsiness, blood disorders, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, mental disorders and death.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Neem oil and neem bark are possibly unsafe during pregnancy. They can cause miscarriage. There is not enough information about the safety of the need during breastfeeding. Be on the safe side and avoid using it.
Diabetes: There is some evidence that neem can lower blood sugar levels and can cause very low blood sugar. If you have diabetes and use neem, monitor your blood sugar carefully. It may be necessary to change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Impaired fertility: There is some evidence that Neem may harm sperm. It can also reduce fertility in other ways. If you are trying to conceive, avoid using neem.
Organ transplants: There is concern that it may reduce the effectiveness of drugs used to prevent organ rejection. Do not use neem if you have had an organ transplant.
Surgery: Neem can lower blood sugar levels. There is concern that it may interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using Neem at least 2 weeks before the scheduled surgery.
Side Effects of Neem Tree
Neem is possibly safe in adults when taken by mouth for up to 10 weeks, when applied by mouth for up to 6 weeks, or when applied to the skin for up to 2 weeks when Neem is taken in large amounts or for a long time. If so, it is likely unsafe. It can cause kidney and liver damage.
When applied to the skin: Neem oil or cream is probably safe to use on the skin for up to 2 weeks.
When to use by mouth: Neem leaf extract gel is probably safe to use by mouth for up to 6 weeks.
