Neem benefits include the versatility to serve as a hygiene aid, an insecticide, and a salve for skin problems. It is also often lauded as a kitchen spice and a source of protective oil that can be ingested to protect against infection. Historically, the entire neem plant, including leaves, fruit, and bark, has been crushed, dried or ground into fine powder to treat sicknesses and preserve well-being. The gum and seeds have also been processed for medicine because they, like the rest of the plant, have shown the general ability to kill fungi, viruses, and microorganisms that bring disease.
Prized for centuries as an all-purpose Ayurvedic health aid, neem is an evergreen plant native to India. As a topical treatment high in fatty acids, neem reportedly has the ability to heal eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis without the burning or discomfort of prescription-strength chemical creams. Neem benefits minor skin conditions as well, healing acne, athlete’s foot, and rash through the application of neem-containing lotions, creams and oil, according to herbalists. Other external neem benefits include the reduction of inflammation and the numbing of pain, whether in response to sores, burns, or lacerations.
Neem can be taken internally, although it has a pungent odor and sharp, bitter taste that may be off-putting to some individuals. When ingested by mouth, neem oil can allegedly heal sore throats, curb nausea, and stimulate the immune system. The unique ability to lower body temperature and kill only harmful bacteria are two additional neem benefits; many medications, in contrast, kill both good and bad bacteria, leaving sick patients low on probiotics.
People who are not necessarily sick but suffer from a general sense of malaise often choose to ingest neem as a detoxing agent since it reportedly purifies the blood and forces parasites out of the body, according to research. Experimental research shows that neem might be able to help people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by bolstering their weakened immune systems so they are not ravaged by colds and infections. Neem is also being tested as a treatment for herpes and stomach ulcers.
The area of personal hygiene and beauty is a final realm where neem benefits promote a better quality of life for many users. The antibacterial properties of neem extract fight dandruff and revive hair follicles, promoting hair growth and healthy scalp for many people when used in conditioners and shampoos. Neem soaps are sold as daily whole-body cleansers. Toothpaste and mouthwash made from the neem plant purportedly heal bleeding gums, fight gingivitis, and improve decaying teeth. Neem is sold in tinctures, powders, and oils to treat other hygiene needs, including yeast infections in women.