Uses of Neem Oil

Few holistic healing agents have been as successful in randomized trials as neem oil, or neem seed extract. Native to India, the Neem tree is closely related to the mahogany tree. Its oil, extracted for use in Ayurvedic medicine, is indicated for a wide variety of ailments. Studies of neem oil date to early 19th century India, but the chemical properties and benefits were confirmed in research in the 1940s.

Pesticide

Neem oil is the active ingredient in natural horticultural products meant to control pests and fungus. Neem oil is effective in all life stages for most pests, including larval, young adult and adult. Neem is particularly virulent against soft-bodied pests, such as white flies and aphids. It also kills mite eggs and prevents black spot fungus. It's recommended for roses, fruit trees and vegetables.

Treatment for Lice

Neem oil is a highly effective treatment for head lice, according to a study published in the journal Parasitology Research in January, 2007. Subjects in the study were severely infested children 4 to 15 years old. Different groups were rinsed at different intervals, including five, 10, 15 and 30 minutes. All groups demonstrated dramatic reductions in infestation, and the recovered lice studied demonstrated neem oil efficacy at all life stages of the lice. No significant variance was observed among the groups exposed for different periods, leading researchers to conclude that neem oil works on contact.

Mouth Rinse

In November 2008, the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research published a double-blind, randomized study by Marco Antonio Botelho, et al, demonstrating the efficacy of neem seed extract on gingivitis and microbial plaque. The gingival index score and the plaque index score showed significant improvement in the trial participants at Day 7 and Day 30, confirming the benefits of neem oil on dental health. The reported adverse effects included mild burning in the mouth in 38 percent of the study participants and altered sense of taste in 15 percent of the subjects.

Wound Treatment

A randomized trial undertaken at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Central Research Institute for Ayurveda, New Delhi, concluded that neem oil is an effective treatment for chronic wounds such as bed sores, diabetic ulcers, traumatic wounds and post-op wounds. One hundred patients were studied. Forty-five of 50 patients in the case group healed completely following the trial, compared with one of 50 in the control group.