Neem
Scientific names: Azadirachta indica, Antelaea azadirachta, Melia azadirachta
Family: Meliaceae
Alternate names: Arishta, Arishtha, Bead Tree, Holy Tree, Huile de Neem, Indian Lilac, Indian Neem, Lilas des Indes, Lilas de Perse, Margosa, Margosa Tree, Margousier, Margousier à Feuilles de Frêne, Margousier d'Inde, Neem Oil, Neem Tree, Nim, Nimb, Nimba, Persian Lilac, Pride of China
Actions: Anti-acne, Anticancer, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial effect, Antiparasitic, Antiviral, Contraceptive, Pesticidal, Toxic, Wound care
Background
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree that grows in tropical regions such as India. The leaf extract is used to reduce tooth plaque and to treat lice.
Neem contains chemicals that might help reduce blood sugar levels, heal ulcers in the digestive tract, prevent pregnancy, kill bacteria, and prevent plaque from forming in the mouth.
People use neem for lice, tooth plaque, gingivitis, psoriasis, to repel insects, and for many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using neem for COVID-19. Neem seed oil is used as a pesticide.
Neem contains chemicals that might help reduce blood sugar levels, heal ulcers in the digestive tract, prevent pregnancy, kill bacteria, and prevent plaque from forming in the mouth.
People use neem for lice, tooth plaque, gingivitis, psoriasis, to repel insects, and for many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using neem for COVID-19. Neem seed oil is used as a pesticide.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Neem bark extract is possibly safe for most adults when used short-term. Doses of up to 60 mg daily for up to 10 weeks have been used safely. Neem is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in large doses or for long periods of time. It might harm the kidneys and liver.
When applied to the skin: Neem oil or cream is possibly safe when applied to the skin for up to 2 weeks.
When applied inside the mouth: Neem leaf extract gel is possibly safe when applied inside the mouth for up to 6 weeks.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if neem is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Neem extract shampoo is possibly safe in children when applied once or twice to the head for 10 minutes, then rinsed with warm water. Taking neem seeds and seed oil by mouth is likely unsafe in children. Serious side effects in infants and small children can happen within hours after taking neem oil. These serious side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, and death.
"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Neem might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using neem.
Reduced ability to have children (infertility): There is some evidence that neem can harm sperm. It might also reduce fertility in other ways. If you are trying to have children, avoid using neem.
Organ transplant: There is a concern that neem might decrease the effect of medications that are used to prevent organ rejection. Do not use neem if you have had an organ transplant.
Surgery: Neem might lower blood sugar levels. There is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using neem at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: Neem oil or cream is possibly safe when applied to the skin for up to 2 weeks.
When applied inside the mouth: Neem leaf extract gel is possibly safe when applied inside the mouth for up to 6 weeks.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Neem oil and neem bark are likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. They can cause a miscarriage.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if neem is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Neem extract shampoo is possibly safe in children when applied once or twice to the head for 10 minutes, then rinsed with warm water. Taking neem seeds and seed oil by mouth is likely unsafe in children. Serious side effects in infants and small children can happen within hours after taking neem oil. These serious side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, and death.
"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Neem might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using neem.
Reduced ability to have children (infertility): There is some evidence that neem can harm sperm. It might also reduce fertility in other ways. If you are trying to have children, avoid using neem.
Organ transplant: There is a concern that neem might decrease the effect of medications that are used to prevent organ rejection. Do not use neem if you have had an organ transplant.
Surgery: Neem might lower blood sugar levels. There is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using neem at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Tooth plaque. Applying a gel containing neem leaf extract to the teeth or using a neem mouthwash can reduce the amount of plaque on the teeth. But it is not clear if neem is as helpful as using chlorhexidine mouthwash or gel.
- A mild form of gum disease (gingivitis). Applying a gel containing neem leaf extract to the teeth or using a neem mouthwash can reduce gingivitis in some people. But it is not clear if neem is as helpful as using chlorhexidine mouthwash or gel.
- Lice. Applying a neem extract shampoo to the scalp once can treat head lice in children.
Dosing & administration
Neem leaf, bark, and twig have been taken by mouth in adults. Neem creams, gels, and shampoos have also been used. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Neem leaf might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Neem leaf might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Neem leaf might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Neem might lower blood sugar levels. Taking neem along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-glycoprotein substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Neem leaf might change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a medication.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Neem can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking neem along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Neem might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/05/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 23/04/2022 08:26:06. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
