Neem Essential Oil

Neem Essential Oil is derived from ripened seeds harvested from the Neem Tree. Neem Tree or Margosa Tree is natively grown in India and most parts of Asia. It is also known for its binomial name Azadirachta Indica. Neem Trees parts beginning with the roots, barks, leaves, fruits and seeds are known to be beneficial due to their chemical component – azadirachtin that has antimicrobial and anti-parasitic effects. 

Neem Essential Oil is extracted from seeds harvested from the neem tree. It passes through the process of cold pressing to produce its organic by-product that has various medicinal properties often use for therapeutic purposes. This oil mimics the smell of garlic or sulfur, it appears to be yellowish to orange in color and has a bitter taste.

Benefits of Neem Essential Oil

Neem Essential Oil has been noted to have the following benefits:

  • Helps in the prevention of various mouth and gum infections
  • Aids in fast healing of wounds and prevents further wound infection
  • Helps treat various skin problems and facilitates lightening of scars and dark spots
  • Aids in hair growth and promotes healing on various dermatologic problems
  • Drives away harmful pests and insects
  • Rejuvenates the skin and helps maintain a healthy glow

Neem Essential Oil Uses

  1. Neem Essential Oil as Antioxidant. Due to the presence of antioxidant compounds, this oil helps improve the elasticity of the skin, fights skin aging, aids in skin rejuvenation and prevents the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines.
  2. Neem Essential Oil as Anti-inflammatory. It has various chemical properties that reduce inflammation of layers and tissues of the skin caused by different types of bacterial infections.
  3. Neem Essential Oil as Antiseptic. With the presence of antiseptic substances, this oil can aid in wound treatment and helps prevent the occurrence of further wound infections. It is also an effective agent used in toothpaste and an effective mouth rinse to protect the oral cavity from bacterial infections.
  4. Neem Essential Oil as Hair Revitalizer. This oil is composed of certain fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid. Once combined, the mixture makes a potent hair revitalizer, which stimulates the increase of blood supply in the scalp and nourishes the hair roots.
  5. Neem Essential Oil as Antimicrobial. This oil has both antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help prevent further growth of microbes, which may cause severe infection. It can help cure various types of skin diseases including acne, ring worms, athlete’s foot, nail fungus and more.
  6. Neem Essential Oil as a Natural Pesticide: This oil acts as a potent pesticide having chemical components that drive away insects or pests, which can cause various diseases.
  7. Neem Essential Oil as a Mosquito Repellant: This oil acts as a natural mosquito repellant that helps prevent the occurrence of malaria and other diseases associated with mosquitoes.    

Side Effects of Neem Essential Oil

Neem Essential Oil has no known side effects and is generally safe to use. However, the use of this organic oil should still be taken with huge precaution. Although it hasn’t been proven to alter the effects of some medications, you should always consult your medical practitioner before using this product.

How to Use Neem Essential Oil

Neem Essential Oil is incorporated in various skin products topically applied on the skin. It helps in skin nourishment, it prevents acne formation, and provides cure for various skin infections. This oil is also used as a pesticide that drives away mosquitoes and other insects, which can cause various diseases.

How to Make Neem Essential Oil

Neem Essential Oil is expressed from neem tree seeds and leaves that have been air-dried before undergoing the process of cold pressing.

Neem tree seeds are rolled over a trough to facilitate passing through of the essential oil, followed by centrifugation, in which the separation process begins. You can observe that the oil will rise to the surface, making it feasible for collection and storage.

Neem Essential Oil Recipe

Making your own version of Neem Essential Oil can be easily done at home.

Materials

  • Dried ripe neem seeds
  • Mortar and pestle or small food processor
  • Water
  • Air locked container

Procedure

  1. Separate the neem kernels from their shells. Gently pound the dried shells to release the kernels.
  2. Grind the dried kernels using a mortar and pestle or food processor until they are pulverized. Make sure that damaged or rotten seeds are not mixed with the good ones as they may affect the quality of the oil.
  3. Prepare a 10:1 ratio water mixture, 10 parts ground neem seeds and 1 part water, then mix everything together.
  4. Start squeezing the mixture into a filter to extract the oil.
  5. Transfer the oil in an air locked container to keep its potency.
  6. Store in a cool place usually below 23 degrees Celsius.
  7. Always warm the oil before use.

Where to Buy Neem Essential Oil

Neem Essential Oil is available in many parts of the world. You can visit the nearest organic stalls or health shops in your area to check its availability. Or you can also check online markets for easy access. Some recommended brands are AirNaturals, H&B Oils Center, Foxbrim, Saaqin, and Dr Adorable.

More information on Neem Essential Oil

  • Neem Essential Oil should not be taken internally due to its toxic component that is highly dangerous for one’s health.
  • This essential oil is one of the best herbal medicines due the chemical properties found in different parts of the tree where the oil is expressed. These components include: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Thiamine, Vitamin C, Oxalic acid and more.
  • The highest concentration of the active chemical compounds noted to have therapeutic properties is found in the seeds of the tree used to produce neem essential oil.
  • Neem Essential Oil is also known to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Due to its anti-fungal properties, it is usually incorporated with various home cleaners utilized for cleaning.
  • The residue from Neem Essential Oil, known as neem cake, is also beneficial as it undergoes the process of solvent extraction to obtain lower grade oil.c