R.  Women's Health

R1.     Birth Control

Vaginal creams and suppositories made with neem oil are quickly becoming the birth control method of choice in India (Paranjapo and Paranjapo, 1993); (Garg, et al, 1993); (Riar, et al, 1993). They are non-irritating and easy to use while almost 100% percent effective. It's important to note, however, that even toxic spermicides are not 100% effective. When tested against human sperm neem extract (sodium nimbidinate) at 1000 mg was able to kill all sperm in just 5 minutes and required only 30 minutes at a 250 mg level (Sharma, 1959); (Khare, 1984); (Lal, et al, 1987); (Riar, et al, 1988); (Sinha, et al, 1984). They have the added benefit of preventing vaginal and sexually transmitted diseases (Upadhyay, et al, 1990); (Garg, et al, undated); (Lal, et al, 1985); (Sinha, et al, 1984).

Neem has a proven ability to prevent pregnancy (Juneja, 1990); (Sharma, 1959a). Neem oil has also been shown to work well both before and after sex while some purified extracts only worked before sex as a preventative (Riar et al, 1991). Neem oil appears to be the most effective form of neem for birth control, particularly hexane extracted neem oil. After a single injection of a minute amount of neem oil in the uterine horns, a strong cell-mediated immune response reaction produced a long term (up to 12 months) and reversible block in fertility (Upadhyay, 1994); (Garg et al, 1994). There were no changes in menstrual cycles or ovarian function.

In a study on rats, neem oil was given orally eight to ten days after implantation of the fetus on the uterine wall. In all cases, by day 15, the embryos were all completely reabsorbed by the body. The animals regained fertility on the next cycle showing no physical problems. The neem oil enhanced the local immune response in the uterus (Mukherjee, 1996). Post coital use of neem oil as birth control does not appear to work by hormonal changes but produces changes in the organs that make pregnancy no longer viable (Tewari, 1989); (Bardham, 1991).

Years of study in India by some of the world's leading scientists resulted in the development of a neem-based polyherbal vaginal cream that has both spermicidal and anti-microbial action. The cream combines 25% neem seed extract with extracts from the soap nut and quinine hydrochloride. Based on the success of these experiments, a neem-based contraceptive cream was developed by a pharmaceutical company in India. Tests of its effectiveness showed that it compared favorably with the chemical-based foams and gels. It was safer and easier to use, caused no irritation or discomfort, was nearly 100% effective, and was therefore used more frequently than the foam or gel spermicides (Garg, 1993). The effect does not appear to be hormonal and is considered a safe and effective alternative to other methods that use hormones (Prakash, 1988); (Mateenuddin, 1986).

The studies leading to the development of these products proved that neem oil killed sperm in the vagina within thirty seconds and was effective for up to five hours. Most spermicide creams must be reapplied at least every hour (Sinha et al, 1984). An important effect of neem oil used in the vagina is that it seems to increase the antigen presenting ability of the uterine tract. This activation of the local immune cell population has a direct spermicidal effect without apparent side effect.

Suggested Products:
Neem Oil
Neem Cream

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R2.     Yeast Infections

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 Cream
Neem Leaf Extract - Use as required
Neem Leaf Powder - Can be used to make neem tea

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