Neem: What Ails You?
An exhaustive collection of common ailments that neem combats effectively, including references to clinical studies and detailed scientific research on neem.
F. Infectious Diseases
F1. Antiviral
Neem is one of just a few known anti-viral agents. In a study on neem's effectiveness as an anti-viral agent, neem seemed to interact with the surface of cells to prevent infection by the virus thereby inhibiting multiplication of the virus (Rai and Sethi, 1972). Similar results have been observed in studies of other viral pathogens indicating a unique property of neem to prevent viral disease (Rao, 1969); (Singh, 1981); (Saxena, 1985).
Several researchers report using neem poultices directly on the pox of small pox, chicken pox, measles, mumps, and other eruptive viral skin diseases.
In 1972, Rae and Sethi postulated that neem leaves and extracts affect the absorption of the pox virus.
In 1969, Rao et al found tender leaves most effective in fighting viruses. Neem also works against the viruses that cause foot-and-mouth disease in cattle, against the mosaic virus in beans, and against the potato virus.
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
F2. Athlete's Foot
Neem extracts have been found to be effective against tinea pedia, the fungus that causes athletes foot (Prasad, et al, 1993). Fungal infections of this type affect nine out of ten people in the United States at some time or another. Untreated, this fungus can attack the toenails and even cause secondary infections throughout the body. A corn starch powder combined with powdered neem leaves makes an excellent preventative while alcoholic neem leaf extract or a neem-based lotion can be used if an infection has already begun.
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Powder
Neem Leaf Extract - Apply liberally to affected area
Neem Lotion - Apply liberally to affected area
F3. Bacterial
In 1855, a researcher reported that Neem leaves were given "with great success" to European soldiers to fight cholera. In 1968, Jain found leaves effective for various skin diseases and boils, and in 1984, Pillai and Santhakumari noted antibacterial action. Recent studies have shown antibiotic efficacy against many bacterial strains, including Staphylococcus (Schneider, 1986) and Clostridia (Afzal et al. 1992). Neem has even successfully healed ulcers associated with bacterial infections (Sung, 1995; Pillai and Santhakumari, 1984).
Preliminary studies in laboratories have shown that there have been significant effects on several bacteria strains (Rao, 1969, 1986); (Chopra, 1952, 1956, 1958); (Sankaram, 1986); (Rojanpo, 1985).
Mahmoodin, one of neem's many medicinal compounds, shows significant antibacterial activity against various gram-positive and gram-negative organisms (Seddiqui, 1992). The bacteria staphylococcus aureus that can cause peritonitis, cystitis and meningitis is killed or rendered harmless by small doses of leaf extract (Schneider, 1986).
The bacteria streptococcus pyogenes, cornebacterium and E. coli were affected by neem extracts (Thaker and Anjaria, 1986). Another bacteria, salmonella typhosa, that causes typhoid, food poisoning and blood poisoning, is similarly affected in other studies (Patel, 1962); (Chopra, 1958).
Suggested Products:
Dried Neem Leaf
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
F4. Chicken Pox
Chickenpox is a viral disease that has been traditionally treated with a paste of neem leaves - usually rubbed directly onto the affected skin (Puri, 1993).
Neem alleviates the main problems associated with Chickenpox - the intense itching and scarring. Rubbing a neem-based lotion on each of the sores lessens the itching, increases healing and prevents scarring.
Bathing with neem soap in water with at least twenty neem leaves soothe the skin and promote healing. Adults with Chickenpox can supplement the treatment by eating ten neem leaves daily.
Suggested Products:
Neem Soaps
Dried Neem Leaf
Neem Lotion
F5. Fungal
Neem extracts are some of the most powerful anti-fungal plant extracts found in Indian pharmacopia against certain fungi (Khanna and Chandre, 1972); (Chary, et al, 1984). In particular, research has shown that the compounds gedunin and nimbidol found in the neem leaf control several fungi which attack humans, including those that cause athlete's foot, ringworm, and even controls Candida, an organism that causes yeast infections and thrush (Thind and Dahiya, 1978); (David, 1965); (Murthy and Sirsi, 1958b); (Khan and Wassilew, 1987); (Khan, et al, 1991); (Kher, 1972).
Compounds found in neem leaf called quercetins (flavanoids) are effective anti-mycotics (Khan et al, 1988). Two researchers, basing their study on the ancient tradition of using neem to purify the air around the sick, have found that neem smoke exhibited extreme suppression of fungal growth and germination (Upadhyay and Arora, 1975).
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
Dried Neem Leaf
F6. Herpes (Cold Sores)
Tests in Germany show that neem extracts are toxic to the herpes virus and can quickly heal cold sores (Schmutterer, 1992).
At the first indication of an eruption a mild neem leaf tea after breakfast and dinner, combined with topical application of a neem-based cream to the affected area, is recommended. Continue both oral and topical applications until the eruption has peaked. Then continue with only the topical cream applications until the sore has healed.
Suggested Products:
Neem Cream
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea
F7. Influenza
Caused by a variety of viruses, colds are better prevented than cured. During cold season, drinking a mild neem leaf tea once or twice a week is recommended. If you do catch a cold, the symptoms can be lessened by drinking neem leaf tea three times a day and inhaling steam produced by boiling twenty neem leaves in a quart of water. This will also help prevent secondary bacterial infections of the nasal sinuses.
Like the common cold, influenza or flu, as it's commonly called is caused by viruses, and is spread primarily in inside places where people congregate. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and can last for one day to a week. Usually more severe and longer lasting, the flu can lead to pneumonia if proper care is not taken to promote healing.
Outbreaks usually occur in the winter and early spring. Symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Muscular pains and aches
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nasal congestion
Drinking neem tea regularly during the disease will relieve some of the symptoms and speed recovery. Inhaling steam from boiled neem leaves will help the respiratory system and nasal passages fight secondary bacterial infections.
Suggested Products:
Dried Neem Leaf
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
F8. Jock Itch
Neem seed oil and leaf extracts have been used for centuries to prevent fungal infections in the tropical regions where neem is found.
Using a neem-based powder will dry the area, kill the fungus and reduce the itching. If the skin is reddened, a neem-based lotion can be substituted.
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Powder
Neem Oil - Use as required
Neem Leaf Extract - Use as required
Neem Lotion - Apply liberally to affected area
F9. Mononucleos
Possibly related to hepatitis, "mono" should be treated with a mild neem tea three times a day for two weeks. The length and severity of the disease should be much improved if the regimen is followed.
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea
F10. Ringworm
Neem has historically been an effective treatment for fungal infections. Early studies verified scientifically that the fungus that causes ringworm is effectively controlled with neem extracts (Narayan, 1965). In one trial, patients with long term and severe cases of ringworm were selected for study. They had used commercial ointments containing salicylic acid and benzoic acid for over three years yet had failed to stop the infection. They were each treated with alcoholic neem leaf extract in a carrier lotion. Within just two to three days after using neem extract on the areas the patients were clear of the infection and remained so for the one year follow-up period (Singh et al, 1980).
Suggested Products:
Neem Salve
Neem Soaps
Neem Lotion - Apply liberally to affected area
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops mixed into the neem lotion before application
F11. Shingles
Neem's ability to surround viruses and prevent them from entering and infecting cells makes neem one of the only agents capable of relieving shingles (Rao, et al, 1969). Topical applications of a neem-based cream should be applied to the affected area at least three times a day or as often as needed. For severe cases drink neem leaf tea after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Discontinue the tea after not more than two weeks but continue the topical application until the problem has been alleviated.
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops a day
Neem Cream - Apply liberally to affected area
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea
F12. Sore Throat
Sore throats may be caused by either viral or bacterial infections. Neem has a major advantage over most other treatments in that it affects both types of infection (Lorenz, 1976); (Murthy, 1958a). Neem compounds have been shown to surround viruses and prevent them from causing infection (Unander)(Rai, 1972). Combined with the anti-bacterial compounds, neem helps heal and soothe sore throats better than almost any other product.
The pain-reducing qualities of neem help eliminate the "sore" part of the sore throat. Most people find that the alcohol extract works very well as a healer and pain reliever. A dropper full of the extract is squirted in the back of the throat and left there for about one minute. This allows the extracts to directly contact the infection. Swallow the extract and let it coat the remainder of the throat. Gargle with neem tea made from five neem leaves four to six times per day until the sore throat is gone.
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea
F13. Thrush
Drinking neem leaf tea will promote healing and reduce the pain and inflammation. Children under 12 should only gargle with the tea and not swallow. For the redness appearing on the skin around the mouth, a neem-based lotion should be applied regularly until the infection has cleared.
Suggested Products:
Neem Lotion - Apply liberally to affected area
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea
F14. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that has been thought conquered until recently. New strains resistant to antibiotics are claiming increasing numbers of lives. Those weakened by AIDS are particularly susceptible but, as an airborne disease, it is very contagious.
Neem oil and its isolate nimbidol has shown anti-tubercular activity in sensitized guinea pigs (Murthy and Sirsi, 1958a). Another isolate, nimbidin, was extremely effective at controlling the cause of tuberculosis in humans, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Chopra, 1958). The leaf extract was the most effective form of neem and showed inhibition at dilutions of 1 part in 80,000.
Traditional treatment involves drinking mild neem tea or breathing steamed neem leaves several times per day. Given the extract of leaves that proved most effective was derived through steam distillation the traditional treatment has been validated.
Suggested Products:
Neem Oil
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea
F15. Yeast Infection
For infections of the skin, rubbing a neem-based cream on the affected areas several times per day, especially after washing or getting the area wet, will relieve the itching, heal the skin and get rid of the infection.
For vaginal yeast infections, a neem-based cream can be applied with cotton swabs or douche with neem leaf extract.
Drinking three cups of neem tea for several days will help rid the body of both external and internal infection.
Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day
Neem Cream - Apply liberally to affected area
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea