Neem
Azadirachta indica
A South Asian tree used in Ayurvedic medicine on the skin and for oral hygiene. Neem works against lice, and a small trial found a neem lotion worked as well as standard treatment for scabies.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- Medicines1 note →
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- Allergies1 note →
- Toxicity1 note →
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
Neem may interact with some medicines. If you take any medicine, read Interactions with medicines below and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.
What is Neem?
- Plant family
- Meliaceae, the mahogany family
- Parts used
- The bark, leaves, flowers, seeds and seed oil
- Where it grows
- A tree common in South Asia
- Genus
- Azadirachta
- Species
- indica
Also called
Neem Oil, Margosa, Margosa Oil
Traditionally used for
- Skin conditions
- Lice
- Scabies
- Oral hygiene
Traditionally described as
- Kills lice and pests
Health topics
Where Neem appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Acne
In one small 4-week study with no comparison group, most people using a neem and turmeric face wash had fewer pimples. The maker's staff took part.
- Head Lice and Scabies
Neem is effective against lice. In a small trial, a neem leaf lotion worked as well as permethrin for scabies.
- Skin Irritation, Rashes and Itching
Used on the skin for skin conditions in Ayurvedic medicine. It can itself cause skin rashes.
Traditions that use it
- Ayurveda
Used on the skin for skin conditions, taken for stomach and gut complaints, and used for oral hygiene.
How it's prepared
Common ways Neem is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.
- Oil
Neem oil is the oil obtained from the dried seeds.[1]Health agency
- Tea / Infusion
The dried leaves are made into infusions and decoctions.[2]Health agency
- Tincture
Extracts and tinctures of the leaves are also used, and a diluted alcohol extract is applied to the skin.[2]Health agency
Safety
Interactions with medicines
In lab tests, neem extract slowed liver enzymes that break down many medicines. Whether this matters in people isn't known.[3]General reference
Allergies
On the skin, neem can cause a rash and itchy, dry or red skin (contact dermatitis). One woman who used neem oil on blisters developed a worsening of a blistering skin disease that needed medical treatment.[3]General reference
Toxicity testing
Never swallow neem oil. It has caused severe poisoning in children and adults, with vomiting, drowsiness, diarrhea, vision loss and seizures. In the most serious cases, people fell into a coma or died.[3]General reference
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
The bark, leaves, flowers and seeds of neem have been used as food and medicine for centuries. In Ayurvedic medicine, neem is used on the skin for skin conditions, taken for stomach and gut complaints, and used as a mouth rinse. It is also used as a disinfectant and against pests and parasites.[3]General reference
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
In lab studies, neem showed activity against microbes, pests and parasites, and slowed the growth of some cancer cells. In mice, a neem leaf extract reduced stomach tumors caused by chemicals. There are no studies of neem as a cancer treatment in people.[3]General reference
Research in people
Research in people suggests:
- Neem is effective against lice.
- It reduces dental plaque and mouth bacteria, though results conflict.
- A small study found neem bark extract reduced stomach acid.
- Extracts improved blood sugar control in people with metabolic syndrome.
More studies are needed.[3]General reference
In a trial of 61 male students with scabies, a 10% neem leaf lotion was compared with 5% permethrin, the standard treatment, and with another herbal lotion. All three reduced skin lesions, with no significant difference between them. Quality of life improved in all groups, and sooner (by day 7) with neem. No side effects were reported. The authors couldn't fully control how the lotions were used or rule out reinfection.[4]Study
In a 4-week study in India, 120 adults with mild to moderate acne or oily skin used a face wash containing neem and turmeric. About 79% had fewer or no new red, swollen pimples, and 72% had fewer or no new blackheads and whiteheads. Their skin was also less oily. There was no comparison group, everyone knew what they were using, and one author worked for the company that makes the face wash.[5]Study
Technical detail: open-label, single-center, single-arm; Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash; sebum decreased and hydration increased (p < 0.001) at visits 3 and 4.
In short
Never swallow neem oil: it has caused severe poisoning in children and adults.
Sources
- [1] WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants, Volume 3 — "Oleum Azadirachti" monograph — World Health OrganizationGovernment health agency
- [2] WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants, Volume 3 — "Folium Azadirachti" monograph — World Health OrganizationGovernment health agency
- [3] Neem — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, About HerbsGeneral reference
- [4] Comparative study of 5% permethrin, 10% neem leaf extract, and 10% brotowali stem extract for scabies treatment — Frontiers in Medicine · DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1672149Peer-reviewed study
- [5] Clinical study to assess efficacy and safety of Purifying Neem Face Wash in prevention and reduction of acne in healthy adults — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14486Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.