This Indian oil has a long tradition.
Neem as a plant has been used for many different purposes for more than 4500 years. A neem tree (Azadirachta Indica) can grow up to 25 meters tall and can live up to 200 years.
The neem tree, called "the village pharmacy" in its homeland India and "the tree with 40 cures" in Africa, contains more than 100 separate chemical compounds that help explain its enormous potential.
Because of neem's extraordinary properties, its bark, leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruit pulp are used to treat a wide range of health issues.
The cold-pressed oil is extracted from the tree's seed kernels. The oil is thick in consistency and has a distinctive strong scent that some may be sensitive to.
If you are curious about studies on neem, you can find lots of interesting information here.
We love multifunctional products, and neem oil is one of them. Here are five tips on how to use it.
1. Natural insect repellent against pests and aphids
It’s frustrating when your chili plant or a favorite plant gets visited by tiny bugs. But with neem oil, you can naturally get rid of them.
Insects and pests usually refuse to eat any plant coated with neem oil. It is a naturally safe and biodegradable product widely used as an insecticide in various parts of the world.
Instead of killing pests, neem oil controls them through a variety of methods, including simply repelling them and disrupting metamorphosis.
The neem tree is almost never attacked by insects, but bees flock to its flowers for nectar, and birds can eat its ripe fruits.
DIY: Natural insect repellent
The mixture can be used on both indoor and outdoor plants, but be careful if you have ladybugs, as it can harm them.
- Mix 1 tsp neem oil with ½ tsp soap in 1 liter of water.
- Pour into a spray bottle and spray on your plants.
- You can also spray on the soil and around the stem.
2. Combat dandruff
Dandruff or itchy scalp is no fun. But neem oil’s properties soothe and help the scalp regain better balance and reduce itching.
- Mix a few drops of neem oil into your shampoo or conditioner.
- Massage in and leave for a few minutes, then rinse out.
- Repeat regularly until the problem disappears.
There are also plenty of ready-made shampoos and conditioners containing neem oil, such as 100% Pure Burdock & Neem Healthy Scalp Shampoo and Conditioner.
3. Foot care – nail and foot fungus
Fungus on feet and nails can be stubborn. Neem oil’s antifungal properties can be helpful.
- Make a foot bath. Add 5-10 drops of neem oil to warm water and stir, then sit and relax for a while.
- For deeper foot care, you can make an oil blend to rub on your feet afterward. Mix 70 ml safflower oil and 30 ml neem oil, add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil, and blend in a bottle.
- Apply to your feet and let the mixture absorb into the skin.
- Store the mixture in a dark, cool place.
4. Minor wounds and skin irritations
For external treatment, neem seed oil, leaves, and bark are used in India.
Neem seed oil has a very beneficial effect on several types of skin problems and is used, among other things, for treating red rashes, psoriasis, dry skin, and especially itching.
For minor wounds, scrapes, and skin irritations, neem oil’s properties can be helpful.
- Mix neem oil with a more fluid vegetable oil such as safflower oil. Use about one-tenth neem oil in the mixture.
- Apply the mixture over the affected area.
5. Anti-mosquito
Mosquitoes dislike the scent of neem oil.
- Mix coconut oil with about one-tenth neem oil.
- If you want to mask the scent of neem oil, you can add a few drops of essential oil (2 drops/10 ml mixture). Suggested options are lavender or lemon eucalyptus, whose scents insects and ticks dislike.
- Apply to exposed areas of the body.
Keep in mind
- Neem oil has a very strong scent, so it’s good to mix it with essential oils.
- Neem oil is thick and can solidify at temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius. To make it more fluid, gently warm it in a water bath.
- Neem oil should not be used on small children, by pregnant women, or while breastfeeding.
- Neem oil tastes really, really bad, so avoid getting it in your mouth.
How do you use neem oil? Feel free to share and inspire others with a comment!
