Top Health Benefits and Uses of Neem: Precautions & How to Use

With a magnitude of beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory etc., it offers numerous health benefits. There is an extensive range of uses of Neem that you can experience by utilising the different parts of this plant in various ways to derive its benefits. 

The content here describes how you can use Neem, its health benefits, precautions, and who should avoid using it.

There are various uses of Neem in the medical world since it offers a plethora of advantages to people. These are: 

• Beneficial for Hair Health: Rich in azadirachtin, a healthful compound found in the seeds, Neem has the potential to fight and stop the growth of parasites that harm hair and scalp health. A medical study reveals that using shampoos containing Neem can kill children's lice effectively. Another compound, nimbidin, helps in removing dandruff owing to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Promote Oral and dental health : Dental and oral problems are quite common among people. With its antiseptic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Neem can foster proper dental and oral health. In addition, mouthwashes with Neem extract prevent growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria inside the mouth, preventing oral diseases, tooth decay, etc.

  Research indicates that using Neem based mouthwashes can also less gum bleeding and reduce formation of plague. Apart from oil, Neem leaf also plays an important role in the prevention of dental disorders. Chewing Neem bark or a few leaves helps inhibit dental plaque and other dental problems such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and cavities.

• Can Improve Skin Health: Oil derived from Neem seed contains several fatty acids, such as oleic, palmitic, linoleic and stearic acids. By working together, these compounds can produce anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits and nurture skin health.

  When it comes to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian traditional system of medicine, the health benefits of Neem are quite prominent in the treatment of skin problems like eczema or psoriasis. So, using the paste of Neem leaves can improve skin health and treat common skin problems like acne, scars, pimples etc.

• Heals Wound and Ulcer: Studies show that applying Neem oil to the skin twice a day can help heal skin wounds. Another medical study found that consumption of Neem extract can treat intestinal ulcers effectively. 

• May Help Control Arthritis and Inflammation: One of the most prominent benefits of Neem is in providing relief from inflammation and arthritis. The anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties of nimbidin helps prevent or impede the inflammatory activity of neutrophils and macrophages. Therefore, Neem can help lessen inflammation and pain experienced by people with arthritis.

• Treats Malaria: Neem leaf extracts have prominent antimalarial properties and act as an antimalarial drug used in the prevention and treatment of malaria. Neem has been shown to be reasonably effective in battling malaria as it contains the limonoid azadirachtin, a compound that is effective against the disease.

• Fights Cancer: Several biochemical compounds, including flavonoids that are found in Neem, may play a significant role in fighting cancer. As per scientific research, these compounds can help stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. Neem can also aid in treating cancer by enhancing your immune system, removing free radicals, and preventing uncontrolled cell division apart from inflammation. It can work to combat breast, oral, colon, prostate and skin cancers.

• Can Promote Kidney and Liver Health: The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds of Neem may help combat oxidative stress and thus nurture kidney and liver health. By the purification of blood, it can protect against worsening of these organs. In addition, Neem leaves may lessen liver damage caused by enhancing antioxidant levels. These antioxidants assist in neutralising free radicals and thus prevent oxidative damage.

• Diabetes Management: One of the essential benefits of Neem is that it helps in managing Diabetes. Packed with compounds including flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenoids, etc., consumption of extracts of Neem leaves can help manage Diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels. The reason behind this is that these compounds may assist in reviving the cells that generate insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar.

• Helps in Relieving Asthma: For ages, Neem oil has been used in the treatment of asthma. Among several advantages of Neem, a prominent one is its use in the treatment of breathing issues including asthma. Apart from asthma, Neem oil is used in controlling cough, fever, and phlegm. It also helps prevent asthma onset considerably when consumed on a routine basis. You can also chew raw Neem leaves or take them after mixing them with beverages.

• Helps in Boosting Immunity: With immunity-stimulating properties, Neem has the potential to boost the body's natural defence mechanism. In addition, Neem is well-known for its great cleansing ability of toxins from the blood from within. Consuming Neem leaves daily boosts blood circulation and thus can keep you healthy while enhancing your immunity level.

• Promotes Brain Health : The antioxidant properties available in Neem can be beneficial in promoting brain health. Consumption of Neem might help people with brain damage caused by stroke. It can also support the brain by enhancing the levels of the vitamin ascorbic acid, which can support lipid peroxidation process and can be helpful for the brain.

• Fights Infections: There are several medicinal benefits of Neem. It reduces the chances of viral diseases or skin infections caused by bacteria or fungus. It may help people with dengue fever by preventing the growth rate of the dengue virus. It may also obstruct the growth of a kind of virus called Coxsackie B that causes stomach upset and various other infections.

  Leaves of Neem have been traditionally used to combat viral diseases, including chickenpox and smallpox. Its antibacterial compounds help lessen oral infection. In addition, it can help lessen skin-related infections. Similarly, its antifungal properties may lessen fungal infections, like candida, ringworm, etc.

The following are some pointers that show how you can use Neem: 

• Boil a few Neem leaves in around half a litre of clean water in a bowl till it turns green. Cool the solution and store it in a bottle. Then apply it with a cotton ball on your face, neck, arms, etc., as a natural toner for your skin. This works as a great cleanser of the skin and prevents breakouts like pimples, acne, blackheads, etc. 
• Mix two tablespoons of Neem powder with sandalwood powder, adding a small amount of water. Then add one tablespoon of rose water in it to make a paste. Apply the paste like a face pack and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Now, rinse your face with cool water and clean it softly. This will heal common skin issues like irritation and rashes and nourish your skin. 
• Applying a paste of turmeric powder with some Neem leaves helps get back the natural glow of your skin. 
• Take some Neem leaves and boil them in a container with a blend of water and honey. As soon as it cools and becomes dense, apply the paste to the hair and scalp. Then wash your hair with a light shampoo. This not only helps avoid dandruff but also reinforces your hair and stops them from falling.  
• Alternatively, you can apply good quality Neem oil on your face and other areas of your skin to treat acne, pimples, fungal infection, etc. Make sure to use the Neem oil directly in the undiluted form to treat the affected areas. Use a cotton ball, rub lightly, and allow your skin to soak for about 20 minutes. 
• Chewing Neem twigs or a few of its leaves helps alleviate tooth pain, keep your teeth clean, and promote oral health. 
• Grind the Neem leaves to get their powder form, and then mix it with a teaspoonful of baking soda and some water to make a Neem paste at home. Brushing your teeth with the paste will give you clean and shiny teeth. 
• Using mouthwashes that include Neem is highly effective in boosting oral health.  
• Boil several Neem leaves in half-litre of water and wait till the water colour turns green. Store the solution after straining in a glass and drink it two times daily to lessen your blood sugar level.

Similar to other herbs, Neem also has some negative effects if they are consumed at extensive levels. The problems you may face include:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Brain disorders
• Liver problems
• Kidney diseases

The following are a few precautionary measures one must take care of while using Neem:

• Neem must not be consumed in large doses or for a long period as it can damage kidneys and liver. 
• Applying Neem oil directly on the skin for more than two weeks at a stretch can be unsafe.

Even though there are plenty of benefits of Neem, there are few people who must avoid it. They are:

• People who are undergoing any organ transplant
• Women suffering from infertility issues
• Persons undergoing surgeries
• Individuals suffering from blood and brain disorders
• People with autoimmune conditions. 
• Individuals suffering from drowsiness, diarrhoea, etc.  

For centuries, people have used Neem in the treatment of various kinds of ailments. Now that you know some of the uses of Neem, you can use this miraculous plant to its full extent. Avoid excess use to stay away from the various side effects mentioned above. In addition, you should consult a physician in case you notice certain side effects mentioned above.