It has always been said, ‘If it is bitter, then it is good for you.’ Almost all Jamaican adults may have heard that phrase a few times, if not many, especially in childhood.  Well, they were right! As neem is as bitter as you can get, but with a chock load of health benefits.

Most Jamaicans are familiar with this plant, even if you do not have a tree growing in your backyard, you will definitely know how to get some when needed.  However, do we really know the benefits of this plant, especially from a scientifically proven point of view?

In this article, we will explore some of Neem’s purported health benefits and any noted side effects. Let’s discuss!

You can learn more about another well-known herb in Jamaica – ‘Cerasee’ by reading this article:

• Cerasee – the tea many Jamaicans learn to Love or Sort of! Here are Five (5) ‘Must-Know’ Health Benefits.

The Discussion

Neem or Margosa is considered a versatile and useful plant, especially, medicinally (Sarkar et al. 2021).  It is called an ethnomedicine by the World Health Organization (WHO). This means that it is relied upon by many to treat varying illnesses. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), over Eighty (80%) percent of people from developing countries depend on these types of plants (WHO, 2021).   Additionally, the report contends that many of the world’s population still relies on ethnomedicines from plants for primary healthcare (Oeybode et al. 2016).

However, neem is not just another listing of plants of this nature. This is because reports suggest that it is one of the most important plants ever found in the history of humans (Sarkar et al. 2021), as it dates from Ten Thousand (10,000) B.C to Four Thousand (4,000) B.C (Kumar and Navaratnam, 2013).  As such, it has been used from time immemorial to treat many conditions such as smallpox and diseases considered to be infectious (Kumar and Navaratnam, 2013; Sarkar et al. 2021). 

More than One Hundred Fifty (150) compounds have been reportedly isolated from varying parts of the neem plant (Chatterjee and Pakrashi, 1991). Some of the compounds include triterpenoids, sulphurous compounds, and polyphenols, for example, flavonoids (Chatterjee and Pakrashi, 1991).   However, the compound that is responsible for its bitter taste is Nimbidin (Siddique, 1942; Schumacher et al. 2011; Naik et al., 2014).

You can find neem in many countries, like my country, Jamaica. However, it is reportedly mainly found in India and surrounding countries (Kumar and Navaratnam, 2013). Neem reportedly has many health benefits, including antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body, anti-inflammatory properties, and the ability to regulate the immune system. 

In this article, we will explore five (5) scientifically proven health benefits of neem. These include its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, purported anti-cancer benefits, anti-diabetic effects, and benefits regarding ulcers.

You can learn more about another well-known herb in Jamaica – ‘Cerasee’ by reading this article:

• Cerasee – the tea many Jamaicans learn to Love or Sort of! Here are Five (5) ‘Must-Know’ Health Benefits.

Five (5) Scientific Health Benefits of Neem:

• High in Antioxidants
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-Cancer
• Anti-diabetic
• Anti-Ulcer

Neem Antioxidants Properties

Neem reportedly has antioxidant activities due to compounds such as azadirachtin and nimbidin or nimbolide (Ghimeray et al. 2009). Other research also purports the presence of polyphenols (Pokhrel et al. 2015). These compounds allow neem to have a free radical or scavenging role in the body (Hossain et al. 2013).

The antioxidant activities are purportedly found in its leaves (Chattopadhyay, 2003), particularly the aqueous extract which has an abundance of polyphenols (Chattopadhyay, 2003).  The bark has also been studied for its antioxidant activities.

To this extent, research contends that the neem plant can be exploited for its antioxidant activities or to combat diseases that result from oxidative stress (Nahak and Sahu, 2010).

Neem Anti-inflammatory Properties

Inflammation can give rise to several diseases and debilitating conditions such as arthritis.  Extract from the neem leaves has been proven to display significant anti-inflammatory activities. This was observed in a study by (Chattopadhyay, 1998), where the leaf extract was administered at two hundred (200) mg/kg in rats. Nonetheless, another researcher (Mosaddek and Rashid, 2008) indicated that while neem leaf extract showed anti-inflammatory activities, it was not as effective as dexamethasone.  Dexamethasone is a medication used to treat inflammation, especially those having to do with arthritis, eyes, thyroid, etc.

The oil of the neem seed was also shown to have anti-inflammatory effects when administered to albino rats (Naik et al. 2014). The rats were induced with carrageenan hind paw edema and were given neem oil extract at a dose of 2ml/kg of body weight. The researchers observed that the oil inhibited the paw edema a few hours after the infection of the carrageenan (Naik et al. 2014). Carrageenan-induced paw edema is a model of inflammation used by researchers when it comes to assessing anti-inflammatory compounds (Mansouri et al. 2015).

Research also shows that neem combined with liquorice was more effective than ibuprofen when it comes to reducing inflammation (Kang et al. 2014). In the study, the anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen were investigated along with four (4) common herbs which included liquorice and neem. The study concluded that both liquorice and neem could be used as alternative or complete replacements for ibuprofen at the cellular level.  It must be noted that ibuprofen is used as an anti-inflammatory drug in the pharmaceutical industry.

Neem and Diabetes

Neem may also serve to positively impact persons suffering from diabetes.  Diabetes is categorized as a major disorder, globally. In fact, the statistics are rounding off higher, yearly. While there are pharmaceutical means to manage it, the interest in neem as a viable alternative has been gaining momentum.

Several studies have shown that neem extracts may have a positive impact on diabetes based on induced-diabetic rat models (Basir and Shailey, 2012; Upreti et al. 2013). The leaf extract when administered in a dosage of 200 mg/kg of one’s body weight, was shown to have a significant effect on anxiolytic activities (anxiety, feeling of fear, muscle weakness, etc.) in rats (Singh et al. 1980). In addition, the crude extract of the bark and root was shown to have a hypotensive and diuretic effect on the body (Bhakuni et al. 1971).

Neem and Ulcer

Gastric inflation and ulcers are reported associated with the accumulation of unstable oxygen molecules (reactive oxygen species) and the depletion of antioxidants (International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2024).  It is also reportedly caused by the frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and gastric lesions triggered by stress and alcohol consumption (International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2024).  Ulcers can cause a burning sensation or even pain, but that will be dependent on the type (peptic or duodenal).

Research has shown that the aqueous extract of the bark of the neem plant may have an anti-secretory and anti-ulcer effect on the body. However, this was only observed in several animal models (Bandyopadhyay et al. 2002). The studies were conducted concerning acid secretion and gastroprotection. The studies also concluded that the neem bark extract had no significant adverse effect.

Are there any Side Effects in Consuming Neem?

Several animal studies and clinical trials have confirmed neem to be safe at certain doses (Alzohairy, 2016). However, studies have shown neem oil poisoning in children which can cause vomiting and other metabolic acidosis, etc. (Sinniah and Baskaran, 1981; Sundaravalli et al. 1982, etc.). It can even cause death (Ulbricht et al. 2008; Meeran et al. 2013, etc.).  As such, it is safe to say, do not ingest the neem oil and do not give it to children.

Low doses in some instances have even been shown to have an antianxiety effect on the body, but not so with high doses (Jaiswal et al. 1994).  The actual doses (high or low) were not mentioned in this review.  However, neem should be taken with caution, especially if you are on medication. So, always consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you are planning to take it as a supplement.

Illustrative Summary

Here is an illustrative summary of the FIVE (5) SCIENTIFIC HEALTH BENEFITS of Consuming NEEM!

Let’s Sum Up!

Neem is considered one of the best nontoxic biological sources for the development of modern drugs (Reddy et al. 2022). So, while anecdotal benefits existed for years, researchers are now finding evidence that it may have many beneficial effects on human health.

In this article, we explored five (5) of its researched benefits including its effects on diabetes and ulcers as well as being packed with antioxidants.  As such, its benefits are no longer just folklore, but a real scientific exploration.

So, now that we have explored neem and some of its benefits (as there are a lot more), is this a herb you would consider as part of your wellness routine? Have you tried it before? If, yes, how was it? Share it Nuh!

You can read more on diabetes and other wonderful herbs and fruits that can help with overall health and well-being in the articles below:

• Cerasee – the tea many Jamaicans learn to Love or Sort of! Here are Five (5) ‘Must-Know’ Health Benefits.

• Pycnogenol and Diabetes – Is there a Positive Link?

• Elderberry – What it is and Five (5) Benefits that make it one of the world’s renowned berries.