Dr. Edward F. Group – In Indian mythology, neem has a divine origin. When the elixir of immortality was being carried to heaven by divine beings, drops fell on the neem tree, which led to its miraculous healing properties. Found throughout the Indian subcontinent, Ayurvedic medicine practitioners have used the bark, leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) for centuries.

Neem comes in many forms, from oil to tea to honey. Neem benefits your skin, hair, immune system, and more. You can grow it in your flower garden and put it to use as a natural, chemical-free insect repellent and herbicide. Here’s everything you need to know about neem oil benefits and uses.

What Is Neem Oil?

Known as the Indian lilac tree, practitioners of Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine throughout India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Maldives have relied on the neem tree throughout the ages to promote health.^[1] In Sanskrit, people call the neem tree arista(which means “perfection, happiness, secure”) as well as nimba, which means “to give good health.” It turns out neem oil contains quercetin, a flavonoid plant pigment that acts as a strong antioxidant with well-documented health properties. Neem oil contains several other active compounds, including nimbi, salannin, azadirachtin, and several fatty acids. Continue reading →