Tag: neem oil

Psoriasis

How to Use Neem Oil for Psoriasis and Scalp Psoriasis

Author ByMoin Nex

About 3 percent of World population experience psoriasis symptoms. Itching and inflammation is the constant problem faced by these people. In this article, you’ll learn uses of neem oil for psoriasis.

Though there is no permanent treatment for this chronic skin ailment, you can reduce lesions and itch through natural and western treatments.

Steroid creams have shown positive results, but unfortunately, they don’t last for a long time. This is why most people prefer natural remedies to reduce psoriasis. It’s not important that a remedy which worked for someone should work for you.

Using neem oil to treat psoriasis will reduce inflammation and itching on scalp. High concentration of vitamins and minerals residing in this herbal remedy can thwart infectious bacteria and moisturize your dry itchy skin.

Is Neem Oil Good for Psoriasis?

Neem is large and fast-growing tree found mostly in India. Its seeds, leaves, and bark has significant role in Ayurvedic medicine

Because of its antiseptic and antioxidant properties, it can effectively soothe your skin ailments.

Also read: Ayurvedic Beauty Tips for Glowing Skin

Dry skin is the main culprit to trigger psoriasis. Your skin is guarded with natural oil that protects it from harmful bacteria. Due to external or internal factors, your skin loses this natural oil and becomes dry allowing germs and fungi to invade.

Neem oil is renowned for its moisturizing and antibacterial properties. With this and other nutrients, this herbal oil can help you to reduce psoriasis symptoms.

  • Emollient properties in neem can hydrate your skin and thwart itching.
  • Antioxidants housed in neem oil fight free radicals that can damage cell membrane.
  • Researchers state that neem oil consists of 100 chemical compounds that exhibit antibacterial and antiviral abilities.
  • The antibacterial and antifungal activity of this herbal oil can restrain infectious germs.
  • Its cleansing property can remove dead cells from skin and scalp.
  • Carotenoids and omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids in neem oil can reduce aging wrinkles, hydrate dry skin and fade scars.
  • Its hydrating activity helps to get rid of itching and scaly skin.
  • Inflammation and redness caused by psoriasis can be reduced by anti-inflammatory properties residing in neem oil.
  • Nimbidin and azadirachtin are active components residing in the oil that exhibits antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
  • These active components can stimulate collagen production and fade fine lines.
  • Vitamin E and other nutrients promote supple and soft skin.
  • Along with psoriasis, neem oil can effectively soothe eczema symptoms.

How to Use Neem Oil for Psoriasis?

neem-oil-for-psoriasis

Initially, there is no permanent treatment for this chronic skin disease. But, with natural remedies, you can reduce its effect and make your skin free from scaly patches.

#1 Neem Oil Application

Initially, wash affected the skin and pat dry with soft cloth. Now apply neem oil evenly and leave it to dry naturally. You must repeat the process to see positive results.

#2 Neem Oil for Scalp Psoriasis

An estimate of 75 million Americans affected with psoriasis has it on their scalp. Dry itchy patches and hair loss are signs of this ailment. (Source)

  • Wash your scalp to remove impurities.
  • When the scalp is still damp apply neem oil evenly.
  • After 15 minutes, rinse it off with water.
  • You can mix required amount of neem oil with your favorite shampoo to fight scalp psoriasis.

#3 Neem Oil for Nail Psoriasis

Discolored fingernail is one of the main symptoms of nail psoriasis. If you’ve psoriasis, then do check you may have it on nails.

  • Apply few drops of neem oil on affected finger or toenails.
  • Allow it to dry naturally for 30 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with water.

#4 Neem Leaves for Psoriasis

Apart from its oil, you can actually use neem leaves itself.

Internal consumption of this leaves will boost the immune system, treat ulcers, restrain the growth of yeast and treats psoriasis patches.

  • Crush fresh neem leaves with tulsi leaves.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tsp of sandalwood powder with the neem paste.
  • Apply this mixed paste on psoriasis affected face.
  • Let it be on your skin for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with water.

#5 Neem Oil and Coconut Oil

Neem is a powerful herb and has a very strong aroma. To make it easy, mix required amount of coconut oil to it.

Coconut oil is also prominent for hydrating, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities that soothe psoriasis patches.

Apart from its nutritional abilities, coconut oil is cheap and available at home.

  • Mix equal amount of neem oil and coconut oil in a bowl.
  • Cleanse affected the skin and pat dry.
  • Take the oil and apply it to psoriasis affected skin.
  • Allow it to dry naturally for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off.

Apart from coconut oil, you can also mix geranium essential oil with neem oil to treat psoriasis. While applying neem oil for scalp psoriasis, mix some coconut oil and patch test.

Recommended Dosage

For adults recommended neem capsules are 1-2. Each capsule consists of 500 mg neem extracts. (Source)

Pregnant women must avoid its internal consumption.

There are few cases reported of adverse reaction of neem capsules. Make sure to patch test before ingesting.

Important Tips

Along with home remedies, you must avoid irritants that can trigger psoriasis, including alcohol, junk foods, red meat, dairy products and citrus fruits. (foods that cause psoriasis)

  • Another way to use neem oil over the itchy skin is to mix 1 tablespoon of neem oil with 4 ounces of jojoba oil and apply topically to the skin.
  • About 7.5 million Americans who have psoriasis have it over the scalp. Intense itching, redness and hair fall are few notable symptoms of scalp psoriasis.
  • Neem oil for scalp psoriasis can be effective if you apply it to Like mentioned above you can mix it with other carrier oil to use it over psoriasis affected parts.

Neem oil can not treat psoriasis. Actually, there is no treatment available for this chronic skin condition.

Though its cause is unknown, experts avoid certain things that can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. You must practice the lifestyle recommended by your doctor to get benefited from neem oil.

As mentioned above, neem oil may or may not work for all. Let us know if you ever used neem oil for psoriasis.

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Eczema

Neem Oil for Eczema – An Herbal Remedy

Author ByMoin Nex

Neem leaves and oil has got prominent space in Ayurveda to treat skin and health ailments. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties residing in neem can effectively heal minor injuries and wounds.

Villages in India are surrounded by big neem trees. Not sure, if they were planted for its medicinal properties or just for shade. The bitter taste of neem is believed to be beneficial for health and villagers use neem twigs to brush their teeth.

Unfortunately, western world is not aware of this miraculous tree. However, the oil extracted from neem seeds is used by most westerners to treat skin ailments. Neem oil for eczema works effectively because of its healing properties.

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that has no cure. (1) But, using steroids and home remedies like neem oil you can reduce eczema flare ups. Commonly known as atopic dermatitis, eczema triggers rigorous itching making your skin red and dry. Rashes are formed at different parts of the body and it’s quite annoying to scratch all the time.

neem oil for eczema

Neem oil can’t permanently treat eczema, but it can reduce the symptoms.

Before dwelling into neem oil, let me write few lines about eczema.

As discussed above, eczema makes your skin scaly and dry. Mere cause of eczema is unknown. However, research states that hereditary may trigger eczema flare ups. Other irritants include soaps, detergents, dust mites, hot and cold temperature, foods, stress and hormones.

Neem Oil and Eczema

Your skin is surrounded by natural oil that protects it from infection. First symptom of eczema is that your skin becomes dry and it starts itching. To combat atopic dermatitis, one must hydrate the skin and avoid scratching.

Neem oil is renowned for its moisturizing properties. Emollient activity of neem oil locks the moisture over your skin and avoids scratching. Not just for eczema, you can use neem oil to hydrate your dry skin. Dry skin is the main cause of major chronic skin infections.

When you hydrate your skin regularly and stay away from irritants like tight clothes, contact with animals, wool, chemical filled creams and cool temperature you can control eczema flare ups.

  • Nimbin and nimbidin, the two agents in neem oil exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from hydrating your skin, neem oil reduces redness of flare-ups and restrains bacterial infection.
  • Analgesic activity of neem oil reduces pain caused by rigorous itching.
  • Antibacterial and anti-fungal agents in neem oil thwart bacterial and fungal infections.
  • Regenerative properties in neem can enhance healing of your skin.
  • These assorted properties can actually make your skin supple, wrinkle free and remove dark spots.

In short, neem oil can hydrate your skin, reduce redness of eczema flare-ups and relieve you from pain. Above all this, neem has no side-effects and cost effective.

How to Use Neem Oil for Eczema?

neem seeds

Are you still using soap or creams over your affected skin? Stop using them right now. They stripe natural moisture from the skin and make it dry. Even if the soap has neem extracts in it, stop using it.

Neem oil is made in different variations to satisfy various ailments. So, do your research to select the prefect neem oil that can treat eczema or other similar skin infections.

High concentration of neem oil can worsen the eczema situation. So it’s recommended to blend neem oil with other carrier oil. (Patch test before using it) Experts recommend dropping few neem oil drops in your bath tub before taking bath. Another way is to apply neem oil over affected parts after taking bath, when the skin is still damp.

Alternatively, you can crush neem leaves with turmeric and add some water to make thick paste. Wash the affected part of the skin with lukewarm water and apply the paste. Avoid hot water, as it will irritate your skin.

You can also prepare neem oil at home, boil mustard oil and add neem leaves to it. When the neem leaves turns black, off the flame and strain neem leaves.

Did you ever use neem leaves or oil for eczema? Share your views in comments.

Image source: 1, 2

Acne

Neem Face Pack for Acne

Author ByMoin Nex

Neem taste bitter but it has got significant role in Ayurvedic medicines. Renowned as ‘One tree Pharmacy’, its leaves, bark and seeds exhibit abundant benefits for your skin and health. Indians use this herbal remedy to treat various skin aliments including chicken pox and measles. Hindu scriptures documented importance of neem and is scared in Hindu culture.

Momentous role of neem face pack in treating various skin ailments enticed cosmetic market to incorporate neem oil into their creams. However, they include processed and refined material which lacks nutritional value.

Prefer homemade neem face pack for acne blemishes. Pimples are common in teenagers and adults. Due to increasing pollution and unplanned diet, your skin is paying the price. Excess sebum gets produced due to hormonal imbalance and on the other hand your skin sheds millions of dead cells every day. With these impurities, your skin pores are blocked leading to blackheads.

Experts say that inflammation is the main cause of acne. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties residing in neem restrains bacterial infection and reduces acne inflammation. Not just acne, topical application of neem face pack will rejuvenate your skin and thwarts infectious bacteria.

Benefits of Neem for Acne

neem and turmeric face pack

  • Dead cells and other impurities are exfoliated with nutrients residing in neem. It also tightens the skin pores making your skin firm.
  • Free radicals in your body damage cell membrane resulting in wrinkles and fine lines over your skin. Antioxidant activity of neem fights these free radicals and halts them from corrupting the membrane.
  • Anti-inflammatory agents housed in neem face pack can effectively reduce inflammation caused by acne.
  • Bacteria invade your skin to feed over excess sebum and dead cells over your skin. Antibacterial agents thwart these infectious bacteria and restrain them from multiplying.
  • Vitamin C helps to reduce aging wrinkles and enhance collagen production which improves elasticity of your skin.
  • Along with acne, topical application of neem face mask will treat chronic skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis.

How to Use Neem Face Pack for Acne?

One of the easiest ways to use neem leaves is, to boil 10-20 leaves in half liter of water till the leaves lose their color. Strain the leaves and collect water in a bottle. Using cotton ball apply the neem water over skin regularly.

As nutritional value of neem leaves are transferred to water it can soothe your skin, treat acne and reduce wrinkles.

I know you’re looking for something more effective and complex. Below are different face mask recipes using neem.

1. Neem and gram flour for acne

  • Grab some neem leaves from nearby garden and wash them. Mash neem leaves to form smooth paste. Alternatively, you can use neem powder available in market.
  • Mix 1 table spoon of gram flour and 1 table spoon of curd to the paste.
  • Wash your face and apply the face mask over pimples.
  • Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off.

Gram flour has cleansing properties, which can remove impurities accumulated over your skin. Whereas curd regulate excess production of sebum.

Also read: 3 DIY Gram flour Face Pack Recipes

2. Turmeric and neem for Dry Skin

turmeric for stretch marks

Both ingredients in this recipe are renowned for antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Add some whipped cream to make it a moisturizing face pack.

  • Take dry neem leaves and ground them into fine powder. Add 1 table spoon of whipped cream and 1/2 tea spoon of turmeric powder to it.
  • Wash your face with lukewarm water to open blocked skin pores. Topically apply the neem face mask over the face evenly.
  • Let the nutrients starting working over acne. After 20 minutes rinse it off.

3. Rosewater and neem face pack for acne

  • Crush 2-3 table spoons of dried neem leaves into fine powder.
  • Add 2 teas spoons of rose water and mix well.
  • Optionally add few drops of lemon juice to the paste.
  • Rose water is renowned for antibacterial and antiseptic properties and can effectively reduce pimples.
  • Apply this face mask over prewashed face evenly and rinse it off after 20 minutes.

Before you add innate ingredients to neem face mask, make sure you aren’t allergic to it. If you see any allergic reactions consult your doctor immediately.

Acne

7 Benefits of Neem Oil for Skin, Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis

Author ByMoin Nex

In Southern India, you’ll find a bunch of neem trees in every village. I used to visit my grandmother twice a year, where I get to see numerous neem trees and unfortunately once I had to taste its bark, which was horrible. But, after trying it for 2-3 times my taste buds got adapted to its bitterness.

My mother-in-law recently diagnosed with diabetes, along with medicines she started chewing fresh neem leaves. It may sound weird for those who’re unaware of its Ayurvedic benefits.

Neem oil, seeds, fruits and bark exhibits unbelievable medical properties, so you can use neem oil for acne, eczema, psoriasis and other chronic skin diseases. Neem leaves are also renowned to treating chickenpox and measles.

Short Note on Neem Tree

Known as Margosa Tree in English, neem tree is native to India and other parts of Asia. From thousands of years neem has got significant role in Ayurveda. Neem tree belongs to meliaceae family, which is renowned for fast growing and drought resistance. Its dense evergreen shade lasts for about 150-200 years. (1)

Vedas referred neem tree with different names, like Arista, Nimba and Pinchumada. Curative activities of neem are found in Arthashastra, which belongs to 4th century BC. Ayurveda books documented neem as Sarva Roga Nirvarini (universal cure for all ailments). (2)

Southern Indians treat neem as The Holy Tree, it has got significant role in traditional ceremonies. Neem oil is derived from neem seeds and fruits. Though it taste bitter, neem oil is packed with fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid that can hydrate your skin.

Nutritional Value of Neem Oil for Skin

neem oil for acne, skin, eczema and psoriasis

Modern researches carried out on neem conclude it as a pack of exceptional medical properties. More than 140 compounds are isolated from different parts of neem. It has got extensive use in Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy treatments.

  • Neem oil is packed with anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties. These curative properties can effectively treat skin infections and other ailments that may damage healthy functioning of the skin. (3)
  • Antimalarial agents in neem oil help to restrain malarial parasites.
  • Its Hypoglycemic activity decrease blood sugar levels in the body.
  • It’s shown that Immunostimulant property in neem oil helps to enhance immune mechanism of the cell.

Assorted nutrients in neem oil can thwart infectious bacteria, fungi or virus and makes your skin smooth and supple.

Awesome Benefits of Neem Oil for Skin

Like mentioned above, neem oil has exceptional role in ancient medicines. Even today most cosmetic industries incorporate neem into their creams and lotions. Along with health and skin benefits, neem oil can be used for healthy hair. Chronic skin infections like eczema, psoriasis and acne can be treated using neem oil.

But, reach an expert (grannies) before playing with this Ayurvedic medicine.

1. Neem Oil for Acne

Studies conclude that acne is triggered due to inflammation and hormonal imbalance, which stimulates over production of sebum. This excess sebum gets blocked at skin pores with dead cells. (Your skin sheds millions of dead cells everyday).

  • Anti-inflammatory activity in neem oil can effectively treat pimples or acne lesions by reducing inflammation and redness.
  • After treatment, acne scars can lighten with regular use of neem oil.

Mix few drops of pure neem oil to any essential oil, as high concentration of neem oil may irritate your sensitive skin. Alternatively, you can use honey to lighten the acne scars.

Recommended: Green clay face mask for acne

2. Neem Oil for Eczema

neem flower for acne

Main cause of eczema is unknown. Anyhow, expert hold hereditary as the cause of eczema flare-ups. Dry skin triggers itching, which can worsen the eczema situation. Unfortunately, you can’t completely treat eczema, but medicines like neem oil can relive its symptoms.

  • Antiseptic property in neem oil thwarts infectious fungi.
  • Fatty acids and other assorted nutrients in neem oil will penetrate into skin to form a protective layer and lock moisture round it.
  • Nimbin compounds residing in neem helps to reduce redness and swelling of the skin.

Also read: Coconut oil for eczema and psoriasis

3. Prevents Aging Wrinkles

Rich concentrations of antioxidants packed in neem helps to fight free radicals, which may damage the cell and promote wrinkles. Vitamins and fatty acids packed in neem oil, enhance elasticity to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Wash your face with cold water and pat dry. Then apply diluted neem oil over wrinkles.

Recommended: Shea butter for wrinkles

4. Fights Fungal Infection

Infections like ring worms, nail fungus and athletes foot are triggered by fungi. Neem oil has powerful anti-fungal properties that can kill fungi. Research carried out shows that neem oil can fight 14 different types of fungi.

Compounds in neem oil, namely gedunin and nimbidol play crucial role in fighting infectious causing fungi.

5. Moisturizes Your Dry Skin

As mentioned above dry skin is the main cause of most skin disorders. When natural oil striped from your skin, it gets invaded by various infectious bacteria.

Fatty acids in neem oil penetrate into deeper layers of the skin to hydrate it from the outside and to get rid of dry skin.

Must read: Potato face mask for dry skin

6. Neem Oil for Hyperpigmentation

Alarming levels of pollution and impurities gets piled over your skin. Also excess exposure to UV rays, increase production of melanin leading to pigmentation.

Neem oil has cleansing properties that will wipe impurities off the skin. Also the melanin production is slowed down resulting in fairer skin.

Must read: Mango facial mask for skin whitening

7. Neem Oil for Psoriasis

Just like eczema, mere cause of psoriasis is unknown. Psoriasis is accompanied by vigorous itching and dry skin. Moisturizing these dry itchy patches will relieve you from psoriasis symptoms.

Before trying neem oil on skin, conduct a patch test. Or mix neem oil with any other natural oils. Topically applying neem oil will instantly relieve you from itching and hydrates itchy patches.

You can find neem oil from local store or through online store.

Important Note:

  • Refrigerant activity in neem oil can decrease your body temperature, so use it with caution in cold. If you see nausea, vomiting and loose stools reach your physician immediately.
  • Though neem oil is not associated with any serious harmful side-effects, high concentration of neem can be toxic. Especially, children, pregnant women and sensitive skin people are recommended to limit the use of neem oil.

 Image source: 1, 2