Who does not know about the tons of benefits offered by neem leaves? This simple and easily available Ayurvedic remedy has been our favorite for ages. But these days, it often becomes very difficult to get access to fresh neem leaves, and we need to replace them with commercial alternatives like neem capsules. So what are these neem capsules? Do they offer the same health, skin, and hair benefits? Are they really effective, just like the ‘holy grail’ leaves? Well, if you have no access to a neem tree or fresh neem extract, you can definitely consider neem capsules as a viable alternative. This article is all about their benefits, side effects, and usage. Keep reading.
What Is Neem?
Neem, scientifically known as Azadirachta indica, is one of India’s most common natural medicines for more than 3,000 years. Though neem trees are mostly found across the Indian Subcontinent, they are quite comfortable with climatic versatility and thrive in a wide range of regions. According to Ayurveda, each part of the neem tree has great medicinal values, including its bark, leaves, seeds, and roots. The oil prepared from neem fruits and seeds can be used for treating different conditions of skin, hair, and health. Nowadays, neem oil is also used in the production of organic cosmetics (1).
According to Ayurveda, neem is one of the best natural remedies for balacing ‘pitta’ and ‘kapha’. The bitter taste gives it a powerful cooling energy, which enhances its capacity to support healthy blood and balances pitta at the same time. Conversely, its light and dry qualities help it counter kapha.
Read Also – Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Neem Leaves For Skin & Hair
What Are Neem Capsules?
Neem capsules are the extract of fresh neem leaves or finely powdered dried neem leaves available in a capsulated form. You can easily find them in the market from different brands. But it is essential to choose the product of a reputed and reliable brand to ensure that the capsules contain only pure neem extract. Neem capsules offer numerous benefits for our skin, hair, and health. We have listed the major ones below:
Skin Benefits Of Neem Capsules
1. Bring Out Natural Glow
Regular intake of neem capsules can help us purify our blood efficiently. In addition, it cleanses our body from the inside, which helps maintain healthy, blemish-free, and glowing skin. (2)
2. Prevent Acne And Pimples
Neem capsules have amazing antibacterial qualities. Hence, it can help us combat acne-causing bacteria and keep all sorts of breakouts away. (3)
3. Make The Skin Toxin-Free
As neem capsules can detoxify our body perfectly, the chances of developing skin infections go down significantly. In other words, the intake of these capsules can reduce the symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc. easily.
4. Treat Various Skin Conditions
Various minor to major skin conditions like rashes, itching, scabies, warts, boils, and so on can also be treated by taking in neem capsules regularly.
5. Keep Aging At Bay
Being rich in the antioxidant properties of neem, these capsules can protect our skin from free radical damage and work as good anti-aging agents. Therefore, you can expect to stay away from signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, etc.
Read Also – 5 Beauty Benefits Of Neem Leaves
Hair Benefits Of Neem Capsules
1. Improve Scalp Health
Neem capsules can purify our blood and improve the water balance in our body. As a result, our dry and itchy scalp becomes healthy and dandruff-free. It eventually gives us beautiful, shiny hair.
2. Put A Stop To Hair Loss
We all know that an unhealthy scalp and dandruff are the two biggest reasons for hair loss. But as neem capsules can successfully cure both of these issues, we get rid of problems like acute hair loss, alopecia, etc. (4)
3. Eliminate Head Lice
If you are suffering from head lice, neem capsules can be a good solution for you.
Health Benefits Of Neem Capsules
1. Reduce Gastrointestinal Issues
Intake of a 60 mg. neem capsule every day helps in improving the health of our gastrointestinal tract. For example, it can heal upset stomach fast and keep gastric ulcers at bay by fighting against certain bacteria.
2. Keep Diabetes Under Control
Take in neem capsules every day in the morning on an empty stomach, and you will get rid of diabetes mellitus after a few months successfully. In addition, it can lower the glucose levels in our bloodstream significantly, thereby treating several wounds associated with it. (5)
3. Strengthen The Immune System
The wonderful antioxidant properties of neem can make our immune system stronger, thereby shielding us from several severe diseases.
4. Maintain The Health of the Liver
When you start taking neem capsules, you start taking care of your liver too. It can regularize the functionalities of the most important organ of our body and keeps several serious health disorders away.
5. Combat Cardiac Problems
Neem capsules can take great care of our cardiac health by regulating blood pressure, lowering the level of bad cholesterol, and preventing the formation of blood clots.
Read Also – 25 Health Benefits Of Neem
Possible Side Effects Of Neem Capsules
Neem capsules are purely made from neem extract, which is completely safe for oral intake for 10 to 12 weeks. However, too much and long-term use of these drugs can cause the following side effects: (6)
- Damaged liver
- Kidney failure
- Interrupted pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Hypoglycemia
- Infertility
- Overactive immune system
- Organ rejection (in case of organ transplant)
Children should not be given neem capsules at all as it can result in diarrhea, sleepiness, nausea, nervous disorders, blood disorders, unconsciousness, seizures, and even death.
Read Also – Must-Know Tricks To Use Neem Leaves For Hair Loss – Welcome Beautiful Hair!
How To Use Neem Capsules?
Neem capsules can be used orally and topically to fight against health, skin, and hair issues. Given below are the ways to follow:
Oral Usage Of Neem Capsules
1. As An Ayurvedic Medicine
It is always good to consult your physician to know about the recommended dosage of neem capsules for oral application. However, 1 or 2 neem capsules can be taken orally every day, just like Ayurvedic medicine. You must take them right after your meals and with normal drinking water.
2. As A Herbal Concoction
You can also take half a cup of water and pour the content of one neem capsule, (1/8) teaspoon of turmeric powder, and a teaspoonful of pure aloe vera gel into it. Mix well and drink this concoction thrice every day to enhance your overall well-being.
Topical Usage Of Neem Capsules
1. Neem Bathing Water
Be it minor skin infections with redness, itchiness, and pus, or repeated skin problems, like psoriasis, abscess, etc., you can add the content of a neem capsule to plain or lukewarm bathing water. Then, repeat it daily to see amazing results.
2. Neem Handmade Soap
If you are interested in using homemade products, try preparing a handmade soap using the content of neem capsules. Adding it to your body wash will keep your skin clear, blemish-free, and free of infections.
3. Neem Water / Paste
Break open a neem capsule and add pure honey or water to its content to form a smooth paste. Applying this to your wounds will heal them fast. In addition, Neem water, when used for washing an infected part of the body regularly, can keep infections at bay.
4. Neem Face Pack
Include the content of a neem capsule in your homemade face pack or mask to get a flawless and glowing look.
5. Neem Hair Pack
Make neem capsules a part of your natural hair pack or mask to take good care of your scalp and your hair.
6. Neem Mouthwash
Make your own homemade natural mouthwash by mixing the content of 4 neem capsules and 5 drops of tea tree essential oil with 2 cups of water. Swishing it for 3 minutes in your mouth twice daily will improve your oral health.
Read Also – How To Use Neem For Curing Dandruff And Getting Lustrous Hair
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Neem Toxic To Humans?
Neem is pretty non-toxic to human beings, and you can rely on neem capsules without any worry. However, the herb contains a compound called azadirachtin, which is moderately toxic to aquatic animals. This also contributes to its insect-killing properties.
Should I Replace Neem Capsules With Neem Oil?
Neem oil should only be used for topical application as consuming it is not considered safe enough for our health. Hence, you can replace neem capsules with the oil only where you need to make a paste with the content of the capsules for topical use.
References:
- “Neem Capsules – Uses, Benefits & Dosage” – PlanetAyurveda.com
- “Can You Use Neem Oil for Skin Care?” – healthline.com
- “Neem: A Tree For Solving Global Problems” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Can You Use Neem Oil for Hair Health?” – healthline.com
- “Neem” – emedicinehealth.com
- “Amazing Health Benefits and Uses of Neem Leaves” – sadhguru.org