Neem oil should only be used externally on the skin and has been therapeutically used as folk medicine to control respiratory disorders, constipation, leprosy, as well as a general tonic. It has been used for the topical treatment of rheumatism, eczema, ringworm, athlete’s foot, cold sores, psoriasis, warts, chronic syphilitic sores, infected burn wounds and slow-healing skin ulcers as well as controlling various skin infections.
It has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (relieving fever) and analgesic (relieving pain) activity and possesses immunostimulant activity (increasing the body’s defense mechanism to fight infectious organisms and other foreign material) by selectively activating the cell-mediated immune mechanisms to elicit an enhanced response to subsequent mitogenic or antigenic challenge.
For a mosquito repellant – in Africa they use neem leaves to make soap that help combat mosquitos and malaria.
Mosquito Repellant;
For a spray base use equal parts of water and witch hazel to fill the bottle.
15 drops of Neem
add some essential oils to cover the Neem smell, 15 drops of any combo your like.
Or use an oil base, with a carrier oil and then add the 1:5 ratio outlined below.
We have listed some recipes / ways to use Neem oil below – but a rule of thumb to remember is to keep your dilution of of Neem oil to about 2 – 5% of any mixture that you apply directly onto your skin. Some of the recipes below use higher percentages – but keep a lookout for any skin irritation.
Always dilute your Neem oil in a carrier oil;
- Cuts, wounds, minor skin disorders and mosquito and insect repellant
- Mix with a carrier oil in a ratio of 1:5 and apply to affected area.
- Athlete’s foot
- Add 15 ml to warm water and soak the feet in this preparation.
- Head lice
- Mix 50/50 with a carrier oil and massage into the hair and scalp. Leave on for 1 hour and shampoo. Repeat once weekly for 3 weeks or as long as the problem persists.
- Mix 50/50 with a carrier oil and massage into the hair and scalp. Leave on for 1 hour and shampoo. Repeat once weekly for 3 weeks or as long as the problem persists.
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Coconut Oil Face Wash
This is an antibacterial soothing and calming wash to eliminate acne and heal acne scars.
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
3 drops tea tree oil
2 drops neem oil
For oily skin add a squeeze of lemon juice
Optional: a teaspoon of honey
Mix together well and use like you would your standard cleanser. Leave on for a minute then wash off and pat dry with a clean towel.
Neem is quite a robust little oil that has a lot to offer. It is always quite inspiring when you have things in your medicine cupboard that can be more effective and supportive than some shop bought remedies. Especially as you know yourself better to be able to tailor your remedies to suit you.
If you have any questions on how to use neem please contact any of the team at Vive Health Brisbane.