Neem oil is a long-forgotten ayurvedic favorite that helps with skin and hair issues. The nutrient-rich oil, made from the seeds of the neem tree, has been used since ancient times as a medicinal treatment, and, in modern times, it’s used as a treatment for a variety of skin conditions, from dry skin and wrinkles to psoriasis, acne and eczema. It has many wonderful uses today from cosmetic purposes to traditional medicine and even pesticides.
Defining neem
Neem is a natural herb that comes from the neem tree, other names for which include Azadirachta indica and Indian lilac. The extract comes from the seeds of the tree and has many different traditional uses. Neem is known for its pesticidal and insecticidal properties.
Using neem in the beauty industry
Due to the potency of neem oil, it is a good idea to mix it with equal parts of a carrier oil - like jojoba, grapeseed, or coconut oil - when using it for larger areas of the face or body, or on sensitive skin.
The carrier oil can also subdue the odour of neem oil, or you can add a few drops of other oils like lavender to improve the smell. Once the oils are blended, use the combination as you would a moisturizer on the face and body.
If you find the oil combination to be too oily, you can mix a few drops of neem oil with aloe vera gel, which also will be soothing to irritated skin.
Health issues that can be treated through neem
We use neem to treat hair and skin issues. Neem leaves are used to treat fungal and bacterial infections. They are used to treat warts as well as chicken pox.
Vitamins and ingredients included in neem
Neem plays a role as a free radical scavenging properties due to rich source of antioxidant. Neem also plays role as anti-inflammatory via regulation of proinflammatory enzyme activities including cyclooxygenase (COX), and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme.
Selecting quality neem for beauty treatments
There are a few different methods used to extract the oil from the seeds of the neem tree. As you may have guessed, not all extraction process are created equally. The one that produces the highest quality neem seed oil is called cold pressing.
Cold pressed neem oil is of the highest quality, as the majority of the active compounds remain intact. This is also the oldest method of extraction, and utilizes a mechanical device that squeezes the oil from the dried seeds. Always opt for cold pressed neem oil where possible.
Neem hair and beauty benefits
* Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
Neem leaves are used to treat fungal and bacterial infections. They are used to treat warts as well as chicken pox. Either the paste is applied on the affected area or the person is made to bathe in neem water. It can also treat foot fungi.
* Strong and long hair
Neem also helps in strengthening hair quality and promotes growth of hair. Neem paste is also used as a hair conditioner. Due to its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, neem is an excellent way to curb dandruff. This makes hair follicles stronger, thus encouraging hair growth too. It provides the required nourishment and conditioning to the roots, making them stronger and shinier.
Compiled by Ruwini Jayawardana
Neem treatments
Treats acne
You can treat acne by using neem as it has anti-bacterial properties that helps to fight any kind of breakouts and also alleviate the pain and itching sensation. To make an anti-acne neem pack.
Tackles whiteheads and blackheads
You can also bid goodbye to whiteheads and blackheads, using neem as it shrinks large pores and works as an exfoliating agent to pull out impurities and tighten pores.
Treats uneven skin tone
Neem can even out your skin tone. The antioxidants in neem are beneficial for reducing melanin production of your skin, which helps to even out your skin tone. It also reduces the dark spots, blemishes and any kind of redness on your skin.
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