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Nutritional Supplement

Neem

Side Effects

Neem leaf extracts and teas appear to be very safe at recommended intake levels with no significant reports of problems. Neem seed oil is more problematic and should be kept out of reach of children because of a report of Reye's syndrome–like symptoms in a few infants who consumed 5 ml of the oil and ultimately died.20 No deaths have been reported in adults, but because of the potential for severe adverse effects, the amount of neem used should not exceed the amount that has been safely used in research studies. Adults may sometimes have diarrhea, nausea, or stomach upset when taking neem oil.21 Neem should be avoided in pregnancy until its safety is demonstrated.

References

1. Rembold H. The azadirachtins—their potential for insect control. Econ Med Plant Res 1989;3:57-72.

2. Schmutterer H, Ascher KRS, Isman MB, et al, eds. The Neem Tree:Azadirachta indicaA Juss and Other Meliaceous Plants. Weinheim, Germany: VCH, 1995.

3. Pai MR, Acharya LD, Udupa N. Evaluation of antiplaque activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extract gel—a 6-week clinical study. J Ethnopharmacol2004;90:99-103.

4. Pai MR, Acharya LD, Udupa N. The effect of two different dental gels and a mouthwash on plaque and gingival scores: a six-week clinical study. Int Dent J 2004;54:219-23.

5. Pai MR, Acharya LD, Udupa N. Evaluation of antiplaque activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extract gel—a 6-week clinical study. J Ethnopharmacol2004;90:99-103.

6. Pai MR, Acharya LD, Udupa N. The effect of two different dental gels and a mouthwash on plaque and gingival scores: a six-week clinical study. Int Dent J 2004;54:219-23.

7. Bandyopadhyay U, Biswas K, Sengupta A, et al. Clinical studies on the effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) bark extract on gastric secretion and gastroduodenal ulcer. Life Sci2004;75:2867-78.

8. Beil W, Birkholz C, Sewing KF. Effects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid secretion, gastric mucosal prostaglandin production and Helicobacter pylori growth. Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45:697-700.

9. Mittal A, Kapur s, Garg S, et al. Clinical trial with Praneem polyherbal cream in patients with abnormal vaginal discharge due to microbial infections. Aust NZ J Obstet Gynaecol1995;35:190-1.

10. Schmutterer H, Ascher KRS, Isman MB, et al, eds. The Neem Tree:Azadirachta indicaA Juss and Other Meliaceous Plants. Weinheim, Germany: VCH, 1995.

11. Ad Hoc Panel of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development, National Research Council. Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1992.

12. Bandyopadhyay U, Biswas K, Sengupta A, et al. Clinical studies on the effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) bark extract on gastric secretion and gastroduodenal ulcer. Life Sci2004;75:2867-78.

13. Pai MR, Acharya LD, Udupa N. The effect of two different dental gels and a mouthwash on plaque and gingival scores: a six-week clinical study. Int Dent J 2004;54:219-23.

14. Charles V, Charles SX. The use and efficacy of Azadirachta indica ADR ('Neem') and Curcuma longa ('Turmeric') in scabies. A pilot study. Trop Geogr Med 1992;44:178-81.

15. Garg S, Taluja V, Upadhyay SN, Talwar GP. Studies on the contraceptive efficacy of Praneem polyherbal cream. Contraception1993;48:591-6.

16. Khare CP. Indian Herbal Remedies. Berlin: Springer, 2004.

17. Pai MR, Acharya LD, Udupa N. Evaluation of antiplaque activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extract gel—a 6-week clinical study. J Ethnopharmacol2004;90:99-103.

18. Bandyopadhyay U, Biswas K, Sengupta A, et al. Clinical studies on the effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) bark extract on gastric secretion and gastroduodenal ulcer. Life Sci2004;75:2867-78.

19. Mishra AK, Singh N, Sharma VP. Use of neem oil as a mosquito repellent in tribal villages of Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh. Indian J Malariol 1995;32:99-103.

20. Sinniah D, Baskara G, Looi LM, Leong KL. Reye-like syndrome due to margosa oil poisoning: Report of a case with postmortem findings. Am J Gastroenterol 1982;77:158-61.

21. Caius JF, Mhaskar KS. The correlation between the chemical composition of anthelminthics and their therapeutic values in connection with the hookworm inquiry in the Madras Presidency. Indian J Med Res 1923;11:353-70.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.