What Is Neem Extract? Benefits, Uses, Risks, and Side Effects

1. Boosts immunity
   • Neem provides abundant antioxidants, and bioactive components of neem help protect the body against different diseases and skin infections.
   • It exhibits powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal characteristics, which prevent infections, such as common cold, sore throat, and other respiratory abnormalities.
2. Promotes brain health
   • The antioxidants in neem may have brain-protective properties.
   • Neem may protect against brain damage in stroke sufferers.
   • It may benefit the brain by increasing vitamin C (ascorbic acid) levels and help in the lipid peroxidation process.
   • However, more studies are needed to verify such assertions.
3. Manages diabetes
   • Neem leaves have powerful anti-diabetic properties that help regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
   • When the leaf powder or juice is consumed, it balances the blood sugar levels by helping with beta cell protection and repair.
4. Promotes liver health
   • Neem may have some effect on liver protection, which may assist in blood purification.
   • Neem leaf may help prevent chemical-induced liver damage by stabilizing blood marker enzyme levels and raising antioxidant levels, such as those found in natural carotenoids and vitamins E and C.
   • These antioxidants may aid in the neutralization of free radicals and prevent cellular damage.
5. Prevents and treats infections
   • There are several microorganisms in and around the body.
   • Some microbes are beneficial to the body, and some may cause serious infections.
   • Neem when taken orally or used topically can prevent the overgrowth of microbes and keep the body from not wasting more energy fighting them.
   • Consuming a particular quantity of neem regularly can eradicate the bothersome bacteria in the digestive tract, and the colon will remain clean and free of disorders.
6. Promotes oral health
   • Neem has been used for decades to improve oral hygiene.
   • Halitosis commonly called bad breath is an indication of poor dental health.
   • Neem powder or oil has germ-killing qualities that help remove foul breath and germs from the oral cavity, preventing swelling, bleeding, and other oral disorders.
   • To alleviate gum discomfort and foul breath, just brush your teeth with a neem twig.
7. Purifies blood
   • The detoxifying characteristics of neem make the herbal extract highly effective in blood purification.
   • It promotes blood circulation and facilitates the clearance of pollutants from the bloodstream.
8. Treats wounds and ulcers
   • The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of neem leaves play an important role in the treatment of various ulcers, such as ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcers, canker sores, and mouth ulcers.
   • The bioactive components in the neem leaf stimulate tissue regeneration and wound healing, and the juice collected from the leaves is used to dress wounds.
9. Reduces the risk of cancer
   • Studies suggest that increased flavonoids may help prevent cancer development.
   • Neem contains flavonoids and other compounds that may protect against cancer progression.
   • Neem and its extracts could be effective against a wide spectrum of cancer cells in humans, including skin, breast, lung, oral, stomach, liver, colon, and prostate cancer.
   • However, far more comprehensive research is needed to demonstrate its potential use.
   • Furthermore, cancer is a dangerous disease that should be diagnosed and treated by a trained doctor.
10. Protects the skin
    • Neem leaves have traditionally been used to cure head lice and skin disorders, wounds, and ulcers.
    • Neem oil can prevent the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria and prevents acne.
    • Active components of neem, such as triterpenes, stigmasterol, nimbidin, margolonone, and margoline, have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
    • External use of neem is effective as a mosquito repellent.
    • Neem is perhaps the world's oldest skin softener.
    • Neem leaves can be cooked in water, filtered, and preserved to use as a skin ointment.

When it comes to neem, there is no standard dose, and different products will come with varied suggestions on how to use them and the amount. Although neem is generally regarded as safe, it is unclear how effective it could be.

For topical applications, neem should be diluted with other substances before being applied to the skin. Direct contact may cause irritation or an allergic response. Always read the label, do a patch test on a small area of the skin before applying it to a larger area, and carefully follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

Because not much is known about the long-term consequences of neem use, it is crucial to examine your alternatives when contemplating adding an oral neem product to your diet. If you are new to neem, consult your doctor to clear any queries or if you are on medications.

Though neem is considered a solution to many problems, there are certain serious side effects associated with it, especially with oral consumption of neem extracts.

1. Consumption of neem extracts may cause miscarriage in pregnant women. Because of this reason, pregnant women must avoid neem.
2. Long-term consumption of neem extracts may cause severe skin dryness.
3. Excessive consumption of neem extracts may develop kidney stones.
4. Consumption of neem may even lead to infertility in both men and women. Neem extracts decrease the amount, mobility, and morphology of spermatozoa in men and block ovulation in women.
5. Nursing women should avoid consumption of neem as the toxins of neem can pass to the infant through breast milk. These toxins are harmful to the infant, and it even gives a characteristic bitter taste to the milk, which the infant may not like to consume.
6. Neem extracts were believed to improve vision. However, excess consumption may be detrimental to your vision.