Neem (Azadirachta indica, family Meliaceae) is also known as Margosa, Nim, Nimba, Nimbatiktam, Arishtha, Praneem. Various parts of Neem Tree possess significant antiseptic, insecticide, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and laxative properties. The active constituents of neem are the mainly triterpenoids, sterols, bitter principles Nimbin and nimbiol. It is cool, bitter, astringent, acrid and refrigerant. Neem is considered an excellent remedy for skin diseases. The leaves, bark, seed, and oil are used for this purpose. Neem oil is obtained from the seeds of the tree. This garlic/sulfur smelling yellow to brown, bitter oil is a naturally occurring pesticide. It can be used to control pests and diseases. Azadirachtin present in the oil is the most active component for repelling and killing pests.
Nimb Oil is a strongly bitter scented powerful vegetable oil extracted from the seed kernel of the Neem tree. It is helpful in various skin diseases such as psoriasis, acne, boils, ulcers, eczema, scabies, fungal infections, etc./strong>. It is also useful in scalp infections and head lice. Neem oil works because of its antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, antiparasitic and insecticidal properties. Neem oil is only for topical use and should be diluted before use.
Cold Pressed Neem Oil is a biochemical pesticide due to its apparent non-toxic mode of action and natural occurrence in the environment. It is also known to have insect repellent properties. Applied at the correct dilution it is used as a non-toxic flea, fly and tick repellent for animals.
Neem Tail is used in India for making pesticides, insecticides and insect repellants, consumer products such as soap, cosmetics, antiseptics, toothpaste, gargle, ointments, poultices, lubricants, fertilizers, fuel for oil lamps, glue, rope, and tannin from bark fiber, etc. It is safe for human and animals. Here is given more about this medicine, such as benefits, indication/therapeutic uses, composition and how to use.
- Synonyms: Neem Tailam, Nimb Taila, Neem Oil, Neem Seed Oil, Margosa Seed Oil
- Availability: Online and at medical stores
- Type of medicine: Classical herbal Ayurvedic Medicine, Massage oil
- Main Indication: Skin diseases
- Suitable for: Only topical use
Neem Oil Ingredients
Ingredients present in this formulation are given below:
Neem Tail is extracted from the seeds of the Neem Tree (Azadirachta Indica). It is a vegetable oil obtained from the seed kernels. It contains active ingredients like azadirachtin, nimbin, picrin, and sialin. Azadirachtin, a complex tetranortriterpenoid, is implicated in causing the effects seen in neem oil poisoning.
- The best oil is cold pressed from the seed kernel of good quality fruit seeds.
- Pure neem oil is rich in fatty acids with a strong garlicky peanutty smell.
- It contains vitamin E and other essential amino acids.
Studies have found percentages of these fatty acids – Palmitic acid 19.4%, Stearic acid 21.2%, Oleic acid 42.1%, Linoleic acid 14.9%, Arachidic acid 1.4% (Bringi). Percentages vary based on the mode of pressing. Pure Neem oil also contains trace amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium and manganese.
Neem ka Tel is a mixture of several C26 terpenoids that are naturally occurring organic compounds composed of a five-carbon skeleton (simple terpenoids) or complex terpenoids with structures that possess between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. Azadirachtin, the most common terpenoid in Cold Pressed Neem Oil and the most thoroughly characterized, is a federally registered active ingredient pesticide. Cold Pressed Neem Oil also contains steroids, fatty acids, and a number of essential oils.
Ayurvedic Action of Neem oil
- Krmighna: Remove parasites and worms.
- Kusthaghna: Prevents skin diseases and itching.
- Vranaghna: Heals wounds.
Neem oil Biomedical Action
- Anthelmintic: Antiparasitic, expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body.
- Antibacterial: Active against bacteria.
- Anti-fungal: prevent fungal growth; active against fungi or ringworm.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
- Antimicrobial: Active against microbes.
- Antiseptic: Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents.
- Insecticidal: kill insects.
Neem Oil Health Benefits
- It has a wide spectrum of action.
- It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic activities, and immunomodulatory activities.
- It has a healing action.
- It has insect repellent properties.
- It is also an effective fungicide.
- It is an anti-dermatologic and a powerful anthelmintic.
- It is naturally occurring pesticide.
- It is non-toxic to humans & other mammals.
- It is useful for skin care such as acne and keeping skin elasticity.
Neem Oil Therapeutic Uses
Cold Pressed Neem Tail has a brown color, a bitter taste, and a garlic/sulfur smell. A single seed may contain up to 50 percent oil by weight. Cold Pressed Neem Oil contains various compounds that have insecticidal and medicinal properties. It is used in making shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics, mosquito repellents, creams and lotions, and pet products such as pet shampoo. It also contains vitamin E, other essential amino acids and fatty acids. Cold Pressed Neem Oil is used for treating many skin diseases, including eczema, psoriasis, and skin allergies.
Many types of research have shown that the spray solution of neem oil helps to control common pests like whiteflies, aphids, scales, mealy bugs, spider mites, locusts, thrips, and Japanese beetles, etc. Neem oil also works as a fungicide and helps control powdery mildew.
Some people have also experienced good results with neem oil spray on the black spot. One of the main ingredients in neem seed oil is Azadirachtin that works as an insect growth regulator, thus preventing the larval stage to molt into an adult. As neem is very bitter in taste, it also works as an antifeedant thus making the leaves sprayed with it very distasteful for the bugs to eat, and the bugs choose to starve themselves than eat the leaves treated with neem. It is non-toxic to mammals, birds, bees or earthworms. Neem oil spray like any other oil spray can also burn leaves if sprayed in sun.
Psoriasis, eczema, cold sores, skin ulcers, athletes foot, fungal conditions
Mix 1 tablespoon neem oil with 120 ml carrier oil such as almond oil or olive oil.
Apply to the affected skin twice per day. Watch carefully for possible irritation.
Increase dilution if the skin is sensitive.
Head Lice, Scabies
Mix neem tail with a mild shampoo and use to wash hair.
Use neem tel (full strength or diluted 10-30% with coconut oil) in hair to protect against head lice. Massage into hair, wait for at least 1/2 hour. Comb out hair. Wash off with neem shampoo. Repeat twice a day for best results.
Massage oil
Combine 1-10% or more neem oil with sesame oil, sweet almond oil or coconut oil & fragrant oils like lavender, rosemary, basil, sandalwood and use as a massage oil.
Burns, cuts and minor wounds
Use pure Neem tel on burns, cuts and minor wounds.
Animal Rinse for fleas, ticks, flies, mites, lice, hot spots, sores
Do not use undiluted.
Mix 10 ml neem oil with 3.5 liters and few drops of mild soap or shampoo (to emulsify oil). Rinse animal twice per week.
OR
Mix 1-part Neem Taila with 1-2 parts Apple Cider or other undistilled vinegar. Shake well to mix. Add to 40-50 parts water and mix well. Spray on the animal, getting close to the skin.
Air dry or towel dry. Repeat every 2 weeks or as often as needed. Use within 24 hours of mixing.
OR
Mix one teaspoon Neem oil in 1-liter warm water and put in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray to kill ticks and fleas on animals.
Hair fall, premature greying, lice, dandruff and scalp infections
Use pure neem oil mixed with coconut and sandalwood oil.
OR Adding neem oil to shampoo can also reduce scalp itching and dandruff.
Sinusitis
Use pure neem oil as nasal drops. Use 1-2 drops in the morning and evening.
Warts and moles
Apply 1 drop of undiluted neem oil directly on wart or mole, once per day.
Skin & Hair Care
Mix 1-10% neem oil with a fragrant & natural cream, lotion or shampoo.
Fungal infection of the ear
Neem taila has anti-fungal properties. Putting two drops of neem oil in the ear once daily, at bedtime, helps to cure a fungal infection of the ear.
Indoor and outdoor plants, flowers and vegetables
Mix 5 mL of neem oil, 1-2 mL of insecticidal soap or detergent, and 1 liter of warm water (to emulsify oil). Proportionately, for 20 liters of a 1% solution, you will need 200 mL of neem oil, 20 mL of insecticidal soap, and 20 liters of water Spray foliage including undersides of leaves.
Repeat every 2 weeks. Neem oil is a safe organic biodegradable insecticide and fungicide.
If the water is cold, use a little warm water to premix the oil and soap till milky and then add the remaining water. Agitate or mix well to make sure the oil is completely emulsified before spraying. Add more soap if needed. There should not be oil floating on top.
Neem Taila that has not dissolved could cause leaf burn. Spray with full leaf coverage for healthy plants. Repeat sprays every 7-10 days for 4 to 5 weeks if needed. Neem oil is not harmful to bees and other beneficial. Spraying is recommended first thing in the morning or in the evening.
Insect repellent
Mix 1/2 tablespoon neem oil with 1-liter water and few drops of mild dish detergent (to emulsify oil). Dispense from a spray bottle.
Mosquitoes Breeding Area
Prevent breeding of mosquitoes by adding crushed neem seeds and neem oil to all breeding areas.
Ward off mosquitoes
Add five to 10 percent neem oil to any oil and light like an oil lamp.
Suggestions, Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects, and Warnings
- This oil is for external use only.
- It must not be taken internally.
- Do a patch test before use. If no irritation, rash, sensitivity occur on the tested area then you may use the oil on other affected parts.
- It should be stored in well-closed containers away from heat.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Discontinue if hypersensitivity occurs.
- This oil gives relief in symptoms only.
- Neem Tel can be slightly irritating to the eyes and skin.
- In some people, it can be very irritating to the skin and stomach.
- Children may be especially sensitive to neem tel. In children, there are several case reports of Neem oil poisoning causing vomiting, hepatic toxicity, metabolic acidosis, and encephalopathy on oral intake.
- Infants given single doses of Neem oil (few drops to 5 ml), presented with features of toxic encephalopathy, metabolic acidosis, and hepatic toxicity. The infants recovered completely with supportive treatment.
- Due to its abortive properties, neem products should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.
- While neem Tel when properly administered It is non-toxic to humans & other mammals. It can be toxic to fish at high concentrations.
- Neem oil should not be ingested. Seed oil can be toxic to internal use.
- Azadirachtin, a complex tetranortriterpenoid, is implicated in causing the effects seen in neem oil poisoning. In children, neem oil is reported to cause toxic encephalopathy and Reye’s–like syndrome. Neem oil poisoning results in vomiting, seizures, metabolic acidosis, and toxic encephalopathy.
- Avoid introducing Neem oil into bodies of water containing fish as it can be toxic to fish.
- Neem Tel has a high wax content and therefore clouds at 16 C (60.8 F) and tends to solidify at 12 C. Gentle thawing is the best way to liquify it without harming its properties. It is sensitive to heat.
- Neem oil is entirely safe and no protective clothing is necessary when handling it or spraying it. It can even be used on the body as an insect repellent.
Pharmacies Making Neem Tail
You can buy this medicine online or from medical stores. Since it is a classical medicine, it is manufactured by many Ayurvedic pharmacies.
Name of some of the Ayurvedic Pharmacies manufacturing this medicine is given below:
- Dabur Neem Ka Tail PRICE 50 ml @ Rs 60.00
- GOODCARE Neem Tail
- Vyas Neem Tail
- Unjha Neem Taila
- and many other Ayurvedic pharmacies.