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Neem oil is an ancient remedy widely used in traditional Indian medicine. However, modern studies haven’t established neem as an effective treatment for psoriasis.
Some people say neem oil helps their skin and psoriasis symptoms. Others report no effects or bad reactions.
So far, any evidence on neem oil is limited to lab studies and animal research, which doesn’t always translate to humans. If you’re curious about trying it, here’s what you should know.
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What Is Neem Oil?
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a large evergreen tree. This tree is believed to be native to India and Southeast Asia and now grows in many tropical and subtropical regions.
Neem contains hundreds of natural plant compounds, known as phytochemicals. It’s also rich in certain types of fatty acids.
Neem oil comes from the seed kernels of the plant. It’s dark in color, bitter-tasting, and smells like sulfur.
Neem oil has several properties that could benefit people with psoriasis, in theory. It shows potential to protect the skin from damage and inflammation.
Serious toxic effects have been reported after neem oil was swallowed, while putting neem oil on the skin can cause irritation or allergic reactions. There also isn’t enough evidence to know whether topical neem oil is safe or helpful for psoriasis.
When used as an emollient (a moisturizing cream that softens skin), neem oil may help moisturize and protect the skin.
Like many oils, neem oil can form a barrier on the skin to help retain moisture. In general, emollients may help soften psoriasis scales, reduce skin cracking, and help relieve itching and irritation.
However, there’s no research showing that neem oil is a better emollient for psoriasis than any other type of oil.
Lab studies have demonstrated neem oil’s ability to destroy bacteria that can cause skin infections in humans. At the right concentration, neem oil seems to kill bacteria without harming human cells.
Although human cells were tested in lab studies with neem, that’s not the same as real-world situations where neem is applied to the body or taken by mouth. At higher doses, neem oil can do more harm than good by damaging human cells.
Furthermore, psoriasis is an inflammatory disease caused by immune system activity, not a bacterial infection. There’s no evidence that neem oil’s antibacterial effects improve psoriasis.
In a study from 2010, neem oil offered better wound-healing properties than petroleum jelly when tested in rats.
Another rat study from 2013 found that neem oil was superior to saline for wound healing. Scratching psoriasis plaques can injure the skin, but animal studies on wound healing do not show that neem oil is safe or effective for damaged psoriasis skin in people.
It’s important to remember that any wound-healing effects aren’t proven in human studies or in people with psoriasis. Skin infections can be dangerous and should be treated with proven methods from your dermatologist.
Potential Risks of Neem Oil
Neem oil isn’t necessarily safe for everyone. Certain people should be especially careful before trying it.
Neem has been studied for possible effects on fertility, including effects on sperm, but it’s not an approved or reliable form of birth control. Most research on these effects comes from laboratory or animal studies.
The safety of putting neem oil on the skin during pregnancy has not been established, and animal studies have raised concerns about reproductive effects. If you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, it’s safest to avoid neem unless your healthcare provider specifically recommends it.
Neem oil has caused airborne allergic reactions in studies where neem oil was used as an insect repellent on plants.
There are also some reports of neem causing an allergic reaction in the mouth and local loss of skin color when people chewed or ingested neem leaves or twigs.
A MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote about their reaction to neem oil: “Help! Started using neem oil on my scalp. It seemed fine until two weeks ago I started experiencing extreme itching and irritation. Has anyone had a similar experience? The itching is driving me nuts.”
For many members of MyPsoriasisTeam, scalp psoriasis is an ongoing issue. Some have discussed using neem oil on their scalp.
Before adding neem oil to your shampoo or conditioner, you should know that neem oil can cause irritation, like other psoriasis triggers. Even if a small amount doesn’t cause an immediate reaction, irritation or allergic contact dermatitis can develop after repeated use. Stop using neem oil if you develop new redness or discoloration, itching, swelling, or a rash, and contact your healthcare provider if the reaction is severe or doesn’t improve.
Aside from health impacts, neem oil can stain clothes, bedding, and fabrics due to its thick consistency and dark color. If you’re applying neem oil before bed or using it during the day, consider wearing old clothing or covering treated areas to avoid staining your belongings.
Be mindful when applying neem oil. It can be difficult to remove from fabrics once it’s set in.
Some members of MyPsoriasisTeam haven’t had a good experience with neem oil. “I have used neem oil on my long journey through so many potentially helpful herbs and supplements, and, sadly, it had no effect on my skin,” wrote one member.
“I bought good neem oil, which one can tell by the odor (like bad garlic), and used it daily for a couple of weeks, mixed with coconut oil and aloe vera. It was surely helping to moisturize my skin, but it did not seem to make my psoriasis any less itchy or annoying.”
“Did I mention it stinks?” they added.
A variety of neem products are available. You can buy pure neem oil to mix with other oils or hair and skin care products. You can also find neem oil as an ingredient in products such as lotions, cleansers, shampoos, and conditioners.
Psoriasis can appear on many parts of the body, including the knees, elbows, back, and scalp. Some people mix neem oil with coconut oil and then rub it on affected areas.
You shouldn’t rub skin that’s sore or irritated, as this can lead to itching. Also, be careful to avoid broken skin.
One of the biggest complaints about neem oil is its smell. Some find it helpful to use neem overnight and wrap the skin.
“I was diagnosed with plantar and palmoplantar pustular psoriasis. Neem oil saved me,” shared a MyPsoriasisTeam member. “My feet were so itchy I couldn’t sleep at one point. It doesn’t smell very good, so I wrapped my feet after applying neem oil. I was finally able to sleep, and, as a side effect, it also seems to heal the skin.”
There’s not much strong evidence that neem oil can treat psoriasis or any other skin condition. Namely, there aren’t any randomized trials, which is the gold standard for human research.
In addition, there’s no standardized dosing or concentration or data on long-term topical use. Without product standardization, it’s impossible to know how concentrated your neem oil product may be.
Depending on the seed and how it’s processed, one product may differ greatly from another. This can lead to problems like toxicity and other negative effects.
If you’re interested in trying neem oil for psoriasis, talk to your dermatologist first. Do not swallow neem oil. Serious poisoning has been reported after ingestion, including seizures and liver or kidney problems.
You can discuss safer ways to try neem oil if your provider thinks it’s a good idea. Watch for any reactions, get help if needed, and revisit your decision based on how your body responds.
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Good Article, I like it. I love Neem. The Wonderful yet mild Aroma of Neem brings Me back to a Time of Fasting and Spending Time in Nature. When Nothing Existed except The Universe and I. Being one… read more
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