L.  Parasites

Called the "American sleeping sickness," neem extracts prevent the deadly chagas disease (Beard, 1989) by preventing the parasite that causes it from surviving in its host, the biting "kissing bug".

A single dose of azadirachtin given to the "kissing bug" provided permanent resistance to the parasite T.cruzi, thereby preventing transmission to humans (Gonzales and Garcia, 1992). By inoculating the "kissing bug" against infection by the parasite instead of simply poisoning the host, a buildup of resistance is reduced.

Neem leaf or seed extracts sprayed throughout the home where the kissing bug lives eliminate the parasite and prevents the kissing bug from laying eggs.

Drinking neem teas may also prevent infection by transferring neem extract to the bug as they take blood.

Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day

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An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in India was apparently ended when children were dosed twice a day with crushed neem leaves (Larson, 1993).

Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day

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Neem teas are regularly used throughout the tropics to rid the body of intestinal worms (Singh, 1980). There have been conflicting reports as to its effectiveness, but few who use neem for intestinal worms doubt the efficacy of neem.

Neem leaf teas twice per day for one week is the usual method for eliminating these parasites from the body. For childhood pinworms apply neem oil or lotion to the anal opening for relief from itching.

Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 20 drops, twice a day
Neem Lotion - Apply liberally to affected area
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea

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Lice are usually treated with shampoos incorporating neem extracts followed by applying a neem-based lotion to the hair and scalp.

Apply the product to all infected and hairy parts of the body. This is left overnight and washed out in the morning. Before washing (with a neem based shampoo), use a flea comb to remove the dead lice and sterile eggs. Remove remaining nits with tweezers or a fine comb. Repeat the treatment in 7 to 10 days.

Neem extracts have hormone mimics that interfere with the life cycle of parasites, inhibit their ability to feed and prevent the eggs from hatching.

Suggested Products:
Neem Shampoo
Neem Leaf Extract - 10 to 15 drops, twice a day

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Malaria affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and kills over two million people every year. It has even made an occasional appearance in North America due to introduction of new mosquito strains and travelers from malarial regions.

Malaria is transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person by the bites of certain species of mosquito. Parasites are sucked up from the infected person by the mosquito and carried in its gut until the mosquito bites an uninfected person. The bite injects the parasites into the blood stream where it travels to the person's liver and enters the liver cells. At this time, many people do not yet feel sick. The parasites then multiply and leave the liver to enter red blood cells. This process can last up to several months. Inside the red blood cells, parasites grow and multiply and parasitic toxins are released into the blood.

Neem can block the development of the parasites in an infected person. This not only prevents the infected person from developing malaria but also stops the disease from spreading (Jones et al, 1994).

Neem leaf extract substantially increases the state of oxidation in red blood cells, preventing normal development of the malaria plasmodia (Etkin, 1981). An active ingredient in neem leaves, called Irodin A, is toxic to resistant strains of malaria, with 100% of the plasmodia dead in 72 hours with only a 1:20,000 ratio of active ingredients (Abatan, 1986). In other experiments alcoholic extracts of neem leaf performed almost as well as the more refined compounds (Badam, 1987).

Two other compounds found in neem leaves called gedunin, a limonoid, and quercetin, a flavonoid, are at least as effective as quinine and chloroquine against malaria (Badam, 1987); (Ekanem, 1978); (Iwu, 1986); (Khalid, 1986, 1989); (Obasiki, 1986); (Rochanakij, 1985). Another molecule, gedunin, an extract of neem bark, has also been found to be effective in treating malaria (Khalid, 1989).

Several studies show that neem extracts are effective even against chloroquine-resistant strains of the malaria parasite (Obih and Makinde, 1985); (Bray, et al, 1990). The anti-malarial effects of neem appear to be greater in the body than on a petri dish. This has led some to speculate that stimulation of the immune system is a major factor in neem's effectiveness against malaria (Obasiki and Jegede-Fadunsin, 1986). Neem also lowers the fever and increases the appetite thereby strengthening the body which aids in fighting the disease parasite and speeding recovery (Abatan and Makinde, 1986).

Like the populations in malaria stricken areas who have access to neem some westerners familiar with neem often substitute an occasional neem leaf tea to drinking quinine on trips to malaria-infested areas of Africa and India as a preventive measure (Larson, 1993). Drinking neem teas or simply chewing a couple of neem leaves a day reduces the possibility of contracting malaria.

Even though neem tea may be effective against malaria, a study done by Dr. Udeinya showed that water extracts are less effective than leaf extracts obtained by a water/acetone combination (Udeinya, 1993).

Suggested Products:
Neem Bark Extract - 20 to 30 drops, twice a day
Neem Leaf Extract - 20 to 30 drops, twice a day

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Itch mites are affected the same way lice are by neem (Larson, 1993). In another test alcoholic extract of dried neem leaves mixed with a carrier lotion which was then spread on the affected skin completely cured all patients tested in just three days. Previous treatments of these patients with benzyl benzoate and sulpha drugs had failed to cure these same patients (Singh, et al, 1980).

In a test of 814 people with scabies a mixture of neem and turmeric cured 97% of the infected patients (Charles and Charles, 1992). Dr. S. X. Charles at the Medical and Cancer Research and Treatment Center in India sent us the results of a study of 814 people treated with neem and turmeric. Scabies is treated with a scrub bath, boiling the fomites (clothes and bed linens), and application of a paste made by grinding "Fresh neem leaves and turmeric in the proportion of 4:1 by weight. The measurement that is taught to mothers is a handful of neem leaves and a piece of turmeric the length of the index finger. This paste is rubbed all over the body and left to dry. The procedure is repeated daily until the patient is cured. (Boiling clothes and scrub bath is carried out daily before application of the paste.) "Paste rubbed on the face has not caused any skin reaction or other toxic symptoms. Because of the bitter taste, chances of children swallowing it was remote, and even if swallowed [is not toxic]."

"Of the 824 cases, 98% showed complete cure within 3-15 days of treatment. Those cases (95.8%) with localized lesions showed cure in 3-5 days. When lesions were all over the body and there was secondary infection, treatment needed for a cure was 6-15 days. Failure of treatment was only 2%. The reasons for failure were irregular application of paste & not doing the preliminary treatment of scrub bath & boiling of fomites to prevent re-infection."

   • Add 1-2 tablespoons of Neem Oil to very warm bath water and soak for 20 minutes (8 oz. of neem oil is approximately 16 baths). Do this for the first 7 days.

   • Scrub with Neem Soap and Neem Shampoo, or add approximately 1 teaspoon of Neem seed oil to 8 ounces of herbal shampoo.

   • Towel dry, then liberally apply Neem Lotion over entire body (not just where scabies are evident). Add 1 teaspoon of Neem seed oil to the Neem Oil lotion to increase its effectiveness. Continue using the lotion until the entire bottle is used up.

   • Adults can take 2 or 3 Neem leaf capsules daily for 2 weeks to boost their immune system, increase blood circulation and attack the scabies internally. Continue to take 1 to 2 capsules daily for 3 to 4 weeks after symptoms are gone.

   • Wash all bedding and clothing in hot water and dry in hot dryer. In severe cases, upholstery and carpet may need to be steam cleaned. It is important to eliminate all possible sources of re-infestation. This is most important during the first 7-10 days of treatment.

   • Treatment of pets. Neem Spray may be applied to your dog. If your pet doesn't like being sprayed just spray on your hands and rub into the animal's skin. One or two drops of Neem leaf extract or 1/2 teaspoon of Neem leaf powder may be added to your pets food.

Note: It should be noted that skin rashes sometimes get worse before they get better, as the heat and toxins are being dispelled from the body.

Suggested Products:
Neem Leaf Extract - 20 to 30 drops, twice a day
Neem Oil
Neem Soap
Neem Shampoo
Neem Lotion

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