Neem's therapeutic uses
Neem, often referred to as the "village pharmacy," has a rich history of medicinal use in traditional Indian medicine, spanning over four thousand years. Various parts of the neem tree, including its leaves, bark, seeds, and fruit, are utilized for their potential therapeutic properties. Neem is proposed for a wide range of health conditions, such as fevers, respiratory and skin diseases, diabetes management, and as an antimicrobial and antiparasitic agent. Some studies suggest that neem may aid in oral health and possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, although scientific evidence supporting these uses remains preliminary.
Research has led to controlled trials indicating neem may effectively treat certain skin conditions like eczema and acne. Despite its extensive traditional use, comprehensive safety testing is limited, with some animal studies raising concerns about potential toxicity from long-term oral use. Therefore, caution is advised for vulnerable populations, including young children and pregnant or nursing women. Overall, while neem presents promising therapeutic potential, further research is essential to fully understand its efficacy and safety.
Subject Terms
Neem's therapeutic uses
- DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
- OTHER PROPOSED USES: Fevers, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, skin health, oral health, antioxidant, insect repellent, diabetes management
Overview
The neem tree has been called the village pharmacy because its bark, leaves, sap, fruit, seeds, and twigs have so many diverse uses in the traditional medicine of India. This member of the mahogany family has been used medicinally for more than four thousand years and is held in such esteem that Indian poets called it Sarva Roga Nivarini, meaning “the One That Can Cure All Ailments.” Mohandas Gandhi encouraged scientific investigation of the neem tree as part of his program to revitalize Indian traditions. This eventually led to more than two thousand research papers and intense commercial interest.
More than fifty patents have been filed on neem and neem-based products in the United States to control insects in food and ornamental crops. However, the Indian government and many nongovernmental organizations have united to overthrow some patents of this type, which they regard as folk-wisdom piracy. One fear is that if neem is patented, Indigenous people who already use it will lose the right to continue to do so. Another point is the fundamental question: Who owns the genetic diversity of plants? The nations where the plants originated or the transnational corporations that pay for the research into those plants? Although this area of international law is rapidly evolving, a patent on the spice turmeric has already been overturned, and a similar ruling involving neem may follow soon.
Neem contains at least one hundred bioactive substances, including nimbidin, azadirachtin, and other triterpenoids and limonoids. Although the scientific evidence for neem’s uses in healthcare remains preliminary, the intense interest in the plant has led to double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
Therapeutic Dosages
Because the neem tree has numerous parts and can be prepared in many different ways, the only recommended dosage is to follow the directions on the label of the neem product.
Therapeutic Uses
The uses of neem are remarkably diverse. In India, the sap is used for treating fevers, general debilitation, digestive disturbances, and skin diseases; the bark gum for respiratory diseases and other infections; the leaves for digestive problems, intestinal parasites, and viral infections; the fruit for debilitation, malaria, skin diseases, and intestinal parasites; and the seed and kernel oil for diabetes, fevers, fungal infections, bacterial infections, inflammatory diseases, and fertility prevention, and as an insecticide. However, no reliable research evidence supports any of these uses.
As with many plant products, test-tube studies indicate that, on direct contact, neem can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. However, this does not mean that neem acts as a systemic antibiotic if taken by mouth. Neem mouthwash and chewing gum might help prevent cavities because they can directly contact cavity-causing bacteria. One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of neem for oral health found mouthwashes containing neem helped prevent plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. Based on extremely preliminary evidence, neem has also been advocated as a treatment for diabetes due to its proposed ability to regulate blood sugar control.
Several additional proposed therapeutic uses for neem exist. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that neem-based ointments were effective for treating skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Preliminary trials show neem may help treat conditions like arthritis through its anti-inflammatory properties. Neem is an antioxidant which may protect against free radicals which can lead to long-term chronic health conditions. Additional uses of neem which require increased scientific study include wound healing, fever reduction, liver health, anti-cancer properties, and contraception.
Safety Issues
Based on its extensive traditional use, neem seems to be safe. However, formal safety testing has been limited. While neem has been found adequately safe as an insecticide, animal studies suggest that long-term oral use of neem oil might produce toxic effects. In addition, other animal studies suggest that whole neem extract (which includes more substances than neem oil) may damage chromosomes, at least when taken in high doses or for an extended period. For all these reasons, as well as the lack of comprehensive safety investigation of neem products other than neem oil, it is recommended that young children, pregnant or nursing women, and individuals with severe liver or kidney disease avoid the use of neem.
Bibliography
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"Neem: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions." RxList, www.rxlist.com/supplements/neem.htm. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.
SaiRam, M., et al. "Anti-microbial Activity of a New Vaginal Contraceptive NIM-76 from Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica)." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 71, 2000, pp.377-382.
Vanka, A., et al. "The Effect of Indigenous Neem (Adirachta indica) Mouthwash on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli Growth." Indian Journal of Dental Research, vol. 12, 2001, pp. 133-144.