- The neem tree is native to to India and Burma.neem image by fotomagic from Fotolia.com
Neem oil is extracted from the neem tree, a member of the Meliaceae family, typically grown in tropical and semi-tropical areas. While neem oil is used to treat ailments in Ayurvedic and folklore traditional medicine, there are some dangers to be aware of before relying on its use. - Neem oil should never be given to infants or small children and should be kept safely out of their reach. According to Health Care Clinic, 13 infants developed severe poisoning and death after ingesting 5 to 30 mls of neem oil. These infants developed symptoms resembling Reye's syndrome with drowsiness, seizures, loss of consciousness and coma. It is unclear which toxin may cause such effects; however, long-chain monounsaturated free acids are suspected to be the culprit.
- Because no data are available regarding the safety of using neem oil during pregnancy or lactaction, pregnant or lactating women should refrain from its use. Neem oil has a history of being used to prevent pregnancy and as an abortifacient agent, according to India's National Research Development Corp.
- Neem oil can be toxic in large doses. People with impaired liver or kidney function should practice caution and consult with their medical practitioner before taking neem oil. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend not taking neem oil in cases of acute malnutrition, tuberculosis or other wasting conditions, or fatigue. Side effects affecting adults typically affect the digestive tract with diarrhea, nausea or upset stomach.
next post