Neem (Azadirachta indica) can be used for treating boils, sores, ulcers, acne, eczema, ring worm, herpes, athlete’s foot, hemorrhoids, to chicken pox and small pox.
Neem (also known as Azadirachta indica, Nimtree, and Indian Lilac) is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is native to South Asia growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Its name is from Hindi.
Neem Used in Ayurvedic Skin Remedies
In India, people eat the tender shoots and flowers of the tree as a vegetable. Neem is also used for its medicinal properties. It has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicines for thousands of years to treat a wide range of skin ailments.
Remedies made from the plant are believed to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative. Neem is often used as a major herb in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for treating skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, etc.
How to Use Neem to Treat Skin Disorders
1. Neem Leaf Poultice to Treat Skin Disorders
Ayurvedic practitioners often make poultices from neem leaves to cure skin diseases. You can make a leaf paste from fresh neem leaves: Use a mortar and pestle to simply pound fresh leaves to make a paste. Then apply the paste to the affected area.
2. Neem Decoction to Treat Skin Disorders
You can also boil fresh or dried neem leaves or seeds in water to make a decoction, and use it to wash the affected skin area for treating skin ailments, such as acne, athlete’s foot or hemorrhoids.
3. Neem Oil to Treat Skin Disorders
Neem oil is an oil pressed from the fruits and seeds. It is mainly used for preparing cosmetics (soap, hair products, body hygiene creams, hand creams) and used in Ayurvedic traditional medicine for medicinal purposes.
The oil is sold in the market. You can apply it to the affected area to treat the skin disease.
