Neem
Azadirachta indica
Also known as: Indian Lilac, Nimtree, Margosa
Overview
Called the "village pharmacy" in India, neem has more than 140 compounds isolated from its leaves, bark, and seeds. Laboratory research shows antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. Small, short-term human trials found neem mouth rinses reduced dental plaque and gum inflammation about as well as chlorhexidine, the standard antiseptic rinse. "Blood-purifying" reflects neem's traditional Ayurvedic use, not a proven clinical effect.
Proposed mechanism
In laboratory and animal studies, neem limonoids — chiefly nimbolide — inhibit NF-kB and related inflammatory signaling, and neem extracts are broadly antibacterial in culture; small human trials show reduced oral and skin pathogens, but no human study has tested neem against gut bacterial overgrowth. In animals, neem raises phase II detoxification enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase and DT-diaphorase while lowering phase I cytochrome P450 activity, and in the lab it inhibits CYP3A4 and other drug-metabolizing enzymes in human liver tissue, so it may interact with prescription medications. No human study shows that neem chelates or removes heavy metals from blood.
Mechanisms describe how researchers think a compound may act, often from laboratory work — a proposed mechanism is not proof of a clinical effect in people.
Traditional & studied uses
Related pathways
Pathway tags are a research aid for browsing the glossary — they are not a claim that this ingredient treats any condition.