Neem extract: its benefits for immunity and how to use it
Neem, or margosa, is a renowned Indian tree, the Sanskrit name of which - ‘nimba’ - means ‘to give good health’. Does it genuinely benefit the immune system and how can you get the most out of it?
Margosa or neem
Azadirachta indica is a tree of about 20 metres’ height, known as margosa, or neem, the anglicised version of the Bengali ‘nim’.
Its olive-like fruit contains a seed from which the famous neem oil is extracted. But according to Ayurvedic medicine, all the other parts of the tree can also be used: the bark, roots and leaves.
Neem, the multi-purpose tree
Neem has a particularly wide range of applications. In India, its flowers and leaves are used in cooking. For example, you can fry its leaves with aubergines or other vegetables to make a typical Indian starter.
In Cambodian cooking, it’s used raw in various recipes: sauces, curries, salads, etc. Neem’s strong, bitter taste is very popular in the extreme heat of May, just before the rainy season.
Back in India, neem leaves are left in cupboards to repel insects that eat clothes, or that lay their eggs in food supplies.
Neem is also used as an ingredient in cosmetic preparations. Its oil (not the culinary kind but one for external use only) helps relieve skin problems including a dry scalp. It’s also used in treatments for headlice.
Using neem in the garden
Gardeners use neem for getting rid of parasites naturally. Incidentally, this compound was the subject of biopiracy in the 1990s, when a multinational corporation called WR Grace appropriated its use by filing 70 patents. In doing so, they deprived the indigenous population of the right to freely use the resources of this tree, even though it had been christened ‘the people’s pharmacy’ by the Indians.
In the end, after a hard-fought, 10-year battle, the patents were revoked as the properties of the neem tree had been known for more than 2000 years. You cannot claim exclusive use of a plant if you yourself have not discovered an effect for it.
What is neem composed of?
Neem consists of 15% tannin, proteins, fatty acids and polysaccharides. It also contains other substances at various concentrations depending on the part of the plant :
- alkaloids;
- isoprenoids;
- flavonoids - pigments with antioxidant properties ;
- nimbolide, etc.
Neem’s multiple benefits
Once ingested (in the various forms described below), neem helps to support the body’s natural defences (1). It’s particularly beneficial for digestive health (2) and the skin (3).
In addition, neem leaves support healthy eye function (4) and sugar metabolism(5). Its bark has antioxidant and anti-pyretic properties(6) - it helps lower temperature in the case of a fever. Finally, neem bark has displayed beneficial effects on the liver(7), an organ vital for multiple functions.
Neem: how should it be used and at what dose?
Firstly, neem can be consumed as a herbal tea, using either the leaves or the bark, although the latter is harder to find. To make a tea, infuse a teaspoon of dried neem in a cup of hot water for around 10 minutes. For optimal efficacy, drink 2-3 cups a day.
To increase your intake of neem, you can also ingest an extract in the form of a dietary supplement, such as Neem Extract. Neem extract capsules are quick and easy to take when you’re out and about, and do not require any special preparation. In terms of dosage, we recommend 1500mg a day (that’s three capsules) for active support of your immune system. It should be noted, however, that neem extract is not recommended for pregnant women. If in doubt, seek advice from your doctor.
As for topical use, poultices made from powdered neem leaf or bark mixed with a little water can be applied to the skin to relieve common problems : redness, acne, etc. Neem oil can also be applied daily to the skin, nails and hair in the form of a mask.
References
- Alzohairy MA. Therapeutics Role of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Their Active Constituents in Diseases Prevention and Treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7382506. doi:10.1155/2016/7382506
- Bandyopadhyay U, Biswas K, Sengupta A, Moitra P, Dutta P, Sarkar D, Debnath P, Ganguly CK, Banerjee RK. Clinical studies on the effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) bark extract on gastric secretion and gastroduodenal ulcer. Life Sci. 2004 Oct 29;75(24):2867-78. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2004.04.050. PMID: 15454339.
- Kumar VS, Navaratnam V. Neem (Azadirachta indica): prehistory to contemporary medicinal uses to humankind. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3(7):505-514. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60105-7
- EFSA Register of Questions - https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/register-of-questions
- Alzohairy MA. Therapeutics Role of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Their Active Constituents in Diseases Prevention and Treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7382506. doi:10.1155/2016/7382506
- National Research Council (US) Panel on Neem. Neem: A Tree For Solving Global Problems. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1992. 7, Medicinals. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234637/
- Alzohairy MA. Therapeutics Role of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Their Active Constituents in Diseases Prevention and Treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7382506. doi:10.1155/2016/7382506
Keywords
4 Days
Great product and it arrives quickly.
Great product and it arrives quickly.
SOMMARIVA Gianni
5 Days
Excellent products and fast service.
Excellent products and fast service. What do we need more?
Margarida
9 Days
The variety of products is amazing
The variety of products is amazing, the offers are good and the sending is very fast. I just miss having a bit more of guidance about combinations, possible interactions, etc.
Maria Angeles Verdu
11 Days
It was quick
It was quick.
Timo Antero
13 Days
Who is a good boy? You, you are! Yes, yes
:) :(:) :(:) :(:) :(
JORGE Catalan Gasco
16 Days
Excellent online site
Excellent online site, efficient and quick delivery. A great experience.
Chris
19 Days
I’m really happy with your products, but…
I’m really happy with your products. Indeed, I’ve been a customer of SuperSmart for a long time. However, I believe that lately you’ve made a significant mistake in choosing Poste Italiane for your deliveries. Poste Italiane is now over loaded and assigns the deliveries to small local companies that have grown like mushrooms because of this business. However, the service they provide is very poor. They let you know about the delivery date just the evening before, with no time to organize yourself, many times you receive a message saying that they tried to deliver but you were not home and in reality they haven’t come at all and, when they do come, you open the door of the building ( I live on the 3rd floor) and when you get downstairs they have already left, leaving the pack inside but right behind the glass door instead of at least putting it on top or under the letterbox. This is not just a one time event but it’s their way of proceeding. It would be worth hiring a professional currier. Thanks
Olga Gladys Del Signore
19 Days
Good products
Good products, fast service
Mrs I Heinrich
25 Days
Quality products and fast shipping.
Quality products and fast shipping.
JF
27 Days
Everything is great. Keep up
Your product and service is great that's why i ordered again.
KOSMATOS Stamatios
31 Days
everything as expected
the products work and the processes to support them also
Ruggero Benedetto
32 Days
Excellent products always up to date…
Excellent products always up to date with the latest developments.
Olga Gladys Del Signore
36 Days
Great service
Great service, exceptional delivery time.
Chris
39 Days
Excellent quality of Super Smart
I’ve used Super Smart products for a long time and since the very beginning I have been absolutely keen about their punctuality in delivering but, most of all, I appreciate the quality of their products and the constant updates following the results of proven research.
Olga Gladys Del Signore
41 Days
Slow post
You have a very good range of quality products, and service is usually good. However delivery was slow due to using the national postage company. Correos. Regards David
David Walsh