Neem Oil Treatment

The Neem plant (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) has been used for centuries as a mild antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal. In many parts of the world, Neem is known as “the village pharmacy” because of its varied therapeutic uses. A tropical evergreen native to South Asia, Neem is related to Mahogany. Neem twigs, bark, leaves and seeds are used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, and its active ingredients are popping up in many natural products for the home and garden.

Personal Use

Neem is often associated with dental health. In India, Neem twigs are chewed regularly, and studies confirm the benefits of Neem as an anti-plaque dentifrice. A study conducted by the Department of Pharmaceutics at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India compared the plaque-reducing capabilities of a Neem-based dental gel against a commercially available chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash. The study produced results that “suggested that the dental gel containing Neem extract significantly reduced the plaque index and bacterial count than that of the control group.”

Household Use

Neem oil is turning up in a variety of household pest control products. According to the Colorado State Cooperative Extension, Neem oil acts as an insecticide and a fungicide, killing soft-bodied insects such as white flies and aphids. Neem is also effective against mites, powdery mildew and black spot.

Pets

Many of the currently available flea treatments for dogs and cats contain powerful and toxic ingredients, leading some pet owners to search for safer alternatives. An Australian study conducted by Pestsearch International and reported in the journal Veterinary Parasitology, showed that “Azadirachtin-containing Neem seed extract is a powerful insect growth regulator, a feeding deterrent and repellent with low toxicity.” Studies conducted on dogs and cats showed that “azadirachtin reduced fleas in a dose-dependent manner in flea-contaminated environments.”