Neem in Skincare: Tradition, Hype, and What the Evidence Actually Says
As a dermatologist, I recently saw several patients with chickenpox who had applied neem leaf paste to their rashes. What started as an attempt to soothe itching ended with worsening lesions and secondary bacterial infections. Applying Neem leaf paste has its own problems. These weren’t isolated cases. Each time I gently asked why they chose neem, the answer was the same: “My mother/relatives did it.” I understood completely. If I didn’t have medical training, I might have done the same listening to their advice. Like turmeric, Neem (Azadirachta indica) has deep roots in Indian tradition. Every part of the tree-leaves, bark, seeds-is considered medicinal. I still remember seeing elders in my village using neem twigs as chewsticks in the 90s. When I had chickenpox as a teenager in the 2000s, my mother boiled neem leaves and used the water to reduce the itch. In medical school in the 2010s, I even tried neem facewash. Today, neem is everywhere: in toothpaste, hair oils, baby soaps, and p...