Neem (Azadirachta indica) for Skin: Ayurvedic Tradition and Modern Research

Walk through almost any Kerala village and you will find a neem tree. For centuries its twigs cleaned teeth, its leaves were added to bathwater, and its oil was rubbed into troubled skin. In Sanskrit the tree is nimba — and in Ayurveda it is one of the most important herbs for skin.

Neem in the Ayurvedic tradition

Classical Ayurvedic texts describe neem as bitter (tikta) and cooling, and place it among herbs used for kushtha — the broad Ayurvedic category for skin disorders — and for kandu, itching. Bitter, cooling herbs are traditionally used to calm pitta and kapha, the doshas associated with heat, inflammation and oiliness.

In practice, neem leaves are boiled into bathwater, ground into pastes, infused into oils and, today, blended into soaps.

What is in neem?

Neem contains more than a hundred biologically active compounds. The best studied include:

• Nimbidin and nimbin — associated with anti-inflammatory activity.
• Azadirachtin — a limonoid best known as a natural insect repellent.
• Quercetin and other flavonoids — antioxidants.
• Gedunin — studied for antifungal properties.

What does research show?

A 2016 review of neem's therapeutic roles summarised laboratory and animal studies showing antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of neem extracts and constituents. Earlier work on Indian herbs found that neem extract inhibited acne-associated bacteria and the inflammatory signals they trigger in the laboratory.

The honest summary: neem's activity is well documented in the lab, and its traditional use is extensive, but large, high-quality human trials for specific skin conditions are still limited. Neem is best seen as a supportive daily herb, not a medicine.

Using neem safely

• Neem in a rinse-off soap is gentle and suitable for daily use for most people.
• Concentrated neem oil should be diluted; do not apply it neat to broken skin.
• Never swallow neem oil, and keep it away from children.
• Patch-test any new product on the inner arm first.

Neem in Anjenna Plus

Anjenna Plus combines neem with turmeric and chaulmoogra in a coconut-oil soap. It is a simple way to bring a little of the nimba tradition into a daily bath — with the lather left on for a minute, as the herbs need a moment of contact.

References: Alzohairy MA. Therapeutics role of Azadirachta indica (neem) and their active constituents in diseases prevention and treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016. · Biswas K, Chattopadhyay I, Banerjee RK, Bandyopadhyay U. Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Current Science. 2002;82(11):1336–1345. · Jain A, Basal E. Inhibition of Propionibacterium acnes-induced mediators of inflammation by Indian herbs. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(1):34–38.