Neem oil: what it is and what it can be used for

JaneJune 23, 2014

15 2 minutes read

Its been around for hundreds of years, and still Neem oil is considered to be one of the most valuable and beneficial vegetable oils that nature can offer. Its story has its roots in the tradition of Indian Ayurvedic medicine, who first discovered it and used its countless healing properties in a variety of herbal remedies and cosmetics.

For this reason, Neem oil has always been considered one of the most effective natural remedies for the treatment of many common diseases and disorders, as well as for the body care and skin.

Not surprisingly, in India, Neem oil is always known by the name Arishta which means ‘tree that can cure all diseases‘; a little later the Arabs renamed it Shajar-e-mubarak which means blessed tree.

Neem oil can help prevent the following:

Against herpes
Against head lice
Against mosquitoes
Against menstrual pain

Neem oil is obtained by cold pressing the fruits and seeds of the plant Azadirachta Indica, an imposing evergreen plant belonging to the family Meliaceae which is traditionally found in India and Burma. However it is now cultivated in several tropical regions of the world because of the many uses and applications found in the modern pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

There are more than 40 active ingredients in this oil whose virtues remain to be fully discovered. Among many it has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiparasitic and antifungal qualities. It is capable of eradicating up to 14 types of fungi and treating laryngitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, otitis, gastrointestinal infections, fungal infections, but also protects plants and animals from pest attacks and acts as a natural anti-dust mite.

With anti-inflammatory action that targets limonoids and catechin, it is very effective as a natural remedy for treating arthritis, rheumatism, cramps, muscle and joint pain: add a few drops of almond or calendula oil and then you can rub it directly on the skin to relieve these aches and to help eczema, acne, dermatitis and small wounds.

Neem oil also has a track record in the field of cosmetics. From this point of view it is rich in oleic acid and stearic acid, which gives the product eudermic properties. Great as a moisturizer, for the treatment of dry skin and hair. It can be added to various products such as antibacterial liquid soaps, shampoos (as a natural remedy against dandruff and lice), shower gel moisturizers and antioxidants.

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