Neem: The Village Pharmacy

Neem is one of the most popular herbs in India. All parts of the neem tree—leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, root, and bark—have been used in Ayurvedic medicine. An oil is also extracted from the leaves and seeds. There are numerous uses for neem, so many that the plant has been called nature’s pharmacy, the village drugstore, and "the curer of all ailments” in India.

The various parts of the plant have slightly different uses, but overall, the remedy is anti-inflammatory and “anti-” just about any harmful organism. It is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-amebic, and even acts as a natural pesticide. Neem is a great herb for dental health, and has immune-enhancing properties against cancer. 

I’m going to start by discussing the two uses for neem I have personal experience with. I’ve used neem-based toothpaste, and I’ve also used neem oil as a natural pesticide.

Neem and Dental Health

Neem is one of the plants used traditionally as a chewing stick for cleaning the teeth. It’s very effective in preventing the growth of harmful microbes in the mouth, thus helping to prevent cavities and heal gum disease. The author of Ayurvedic Herbs wrote, “I used a Neem stick to brush my teeth as a young child and have never had any cavity or dental issue.” 

If you have gum disease or get cavities easily, I highly recommend using a toothpaste and/or mouthwash that contains neem. I’ve used toothpaste with neem to help my gums and found it very beneficial.

Neem Oil as an Insecticide

I love to garden, and I avoid the use of toxic chemicals in my home, yard, and garden. I had an apple tree that had been neglected by the previous owners. I pruned, fertilized, and watered it, but more than 90% of the apples had worm holes.  I learned about using Kaloin clay from at the local farmer’s market from a man who was selling organic apples. I decided to try using the clay with neem oil on my tree. 

I ordered a bag of 25 lb bag of Surround WP, a Kaloin clay product, and a pint of 70% Neem Oil. I mixed the clay with water following the directions on the package and added half the recommended amount of neem oil for the same amount of water. I sprayed this on the tree right after the blossoms set and the apples were very small, and again when the apples were larger. That year, I had almost no apples with worms. So, I started using it every year with great results for all my fruit trees and also to deter squash bugs.

The clay is a natural irritant to insects. They avoid it because it punctures their exoskeletons, but it’s harmless to people and pests. Neem is also an effective insect killer, which I added to kill any bugs already on the apples. It also helped the clay stick to the leaves and fruit better.

Based on my experiences, neem and clay are my favorite pest control products, so if you like to garden, too, you may want to try them. In India, neem is also used as a natural insect repellent, inhibiting fleas, ticks, and mites for people and pets.

Neem and the Immune System

Neem can help the body fight a variety of infections while reducing fever and inflammation. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used for treating serious infections like malaria and leprosy. In the West, it has been used to treat Lyme disease and antibiotic-resistant infections.

Neem is also an effective anti-fungal agent for ringworm, fungal infections in the nails, jock itch, and scabies. It is very effective as a topical antifungal remedy. Neem is also used as an antiparasitic agent. Neem also has anticancer and antidiabetic activity.

Using Neem

I highly recommend using mouthwashes and/or toothpastes with neem if you have gum disease. I’ve also used two Ayurvedic formulas containing neem. I've had good success with Ayurvedic Skin Healing Formula. Along with neem, it contains dandelion, Indian sarsaparilla root, Chinese yam root, turmeric, and triphala. Neem is also in an Ayurvedic Blood Sugar Formula that I sometimes recommend.

The safest way to use neem is topically. You can apply the oil directly to the skin, but it is better to dilute it 50/50 with another oil like olive oil or coconut oil. It’s also best to try a dab of the oil on a small area first to make sure you don’t react to it. If it causes redness or itching, it’s probably best not to use it.

If you’re not irritated by a small patch, you can apply it over a larger area (e.g., acne, eczema, rashes), leave it on for 10-20 minutes, and then wash it off. You can apply it in this manner once daily. I wouldn’t use it on children.

A leaf tincture (1:5, 40% alcohol) can also be applied topically or taken internally. The dose is about 5-10 drops in juice or water three times daily.

Neem is also available in capsules. You can take one capsule (400-500 mg) 1-3 times a day. I would only take neem internally for less than two weeks to clear up skin problems, parasites, intestinal dysbiosis, or to boost immunity to fight infections, unless you have an herbalist who is skilled in knowing how to use it, advising you.

One very important caution about neem. It has natural contraceptive activity and reduces fertility. So, don’t use it if you’re trying to conceive.