Thursday, October 27, 2011

All About Neem

You may have heard of Neem, but in the event somebody reading this hasn't, we thought we would mention it.  Now we're sure not experts or medical professionals, so don't take this as medical advice!  But we've had some good results from products containing Neem oil.  We started seeing flea shampoos with Neem a few years ago, but didn't really know what it was and thought it was just a new "gimmick" ingredient.  But NO!  We think it's the real deal.

A few years ago, Aspen started getting a skin condition that we referred to as the "creeping crud."  Don't worry, we don't have pictures of it.  It started in her ears, then showed up under her neck and then her elbows as kind of black and crusty - YUK!  There was never a definitive answer to what exactly it was, but probably some yeasty thing.  It was treated with traditional medications and seemed to pretty much disappear last year when we went "Out West" on our road trip.  Yay!  We figured the dryer climate didn't hurt either.  We were able to stop her meds and she's been looking good.  Then, in the late summer we started to see a bit of the creeping crud in her ears again.  We started putting prescription drops on it, then it moved to her neck and Mom decided there must be something else to use. 

So Mom went to Earth Fare and started asking the guys in the herb/vitamin section what they would recommend.  They mentioned Neem so she picked up a booklet they had and read about it. 



Seems this stuff is pretty amazing.  It is widely used as a natural herbicide and the cashier at Earth Fare said he uses it on his tomato plants.  Here's a bit from Wikipedia:

Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem (Azadirachta indica), an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics. It is, perhaps, the most important of the commercially available products of neem for organic farming and medicines.
Neem oil is generally red as blood, and has a rather strong odour that is said to combine the odours of peanut and garlic. It comprises mainly triglycerides and large amounts of triterpenoid compounds, which are responsible for the bitter taste. It is hydrophobic in nature and in order to emulsify it in water for application purposes, it must be formulated with appropriate surfactants.
Neem oil also contains steroids (campesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol) and many triterpenoids of which azadirachtin is the most well known and studied. The azadirachtin content of neem oil varies from 300ppm to over 2500ppm depending on the extraction technology and quality of the neem seeds crushed.

Mom bought a bottle of Neem Oil and a bar of soap. 



She used a couple of drops on Aspen's ears and washed her neck with the soap.  Within a couple of days, the creeping crud was clearing up and she stopped using it.  Aspen's ears and neck still look good.  She was so impressed that she started reading more about Neem and discovered Neem Leaf capsules so she got some of those, too.  Now, we're all taking Neem Leaf as it is supposed to be good for skin and digestion, among other things.



Again, we're not medical professionals and you should always check with your vet before using anything as there could be contraindications!  But we wanted to share our experience with you in case you might benefit from using Neem.

Has anyone else used Neem?  

The Road Dogs 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've heard about neem oil but didn't know what it was used for. I wonder if it would help my two buddies with their skin issues? Have to look into it.

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! YES just got familiarized with Neem ... just last JUNe. We did post an article about Need Seed Oil --- from the bug spray we used. Golden Thanks for more information. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Backcountry Brodie said...

I has nefur heard of Neem but I do know of a dog with the creeping crud so I has to go woof at her about this. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Mom luvs Neem products! She uses it on the veggie garden and has used some of the doggy products with it as an ingredient too. Great stuff! :D
Glad it worked on Aspen's skin condition! Super! :D

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Two Pitties in the City said...

We haven't heard of it, but it seems like something we might need for our foster Levi (his skin gets so easily irritated.) We have also been hearing so many great things about using Goats milk in the pooches' food. We're trying it now, but will be sure to report back!

Scooter said...

Hey Road Dogs!
Wow, my Dad will be wanting to check this out! He loves natural remedies. Thanks for the heads up!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

I had never heard of it UNTIL Sugar did HER post... way back...THEN.

WOW!!! It must have somethingy in it that works if it cleared Aspen up so QUICKLY and EASILY.
NOW I wish that I had seen this post BEFORE we went where we did today.. There is a Mennonite Store in a town near here and one of the Gentlemen is an Herbalist. He has been ALL over the world.. pretty amazing fur a Mennonite guy... to learn about Herbs and how they can be used. Half of the store is Bulk Foods and the other half is all Herbs and Herbal Remedies.
Next time we go there.. to buy my long cooking BARLEY... fur the foods that mom cookers fur me... I will have my mom talk to Mr. Jonas about neem.
THANKS fur letting us know about this.

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Everybuddy, mum has never heard of Neem but thanks for the info. Sounds like it could be a great help. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

Anonymous said...

OMD I never used Neem but I sure is glad that it has worked so very well too!

woos, Tessa

chandra said...

Thanks for introducing me to Neem! I'd not heard of it before and I'll definitely look into for my little guy, Mason, whose skin seems to irritate easily ... and my tomatoes were a sorry sight this year so I certainly could use some help in that department!

-Chandra at Daley's Dog Years

The Daily Pip said...

I have never heard about it, but it sounds like great stuff. I used to get lots of skin rashes a few years ago - allergy related - but thankfully, it went away. I will have to keep Neem in mind if it ever returns.

Your pal, Pip

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

We've never heard of it but our little morkie sister, Joy, has horrible skin allergies. Mom's going to check this stuff out. Maybe it can help! Thanks!

AROOOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

Two French Bulldogs said...

awesome, love stories like this
Benny & Lily

kissa-bull said...

furry interesting we had'nt heard about neem befowe now so we fank you for your information.

pibble sugars
the pittie pack

Shane Kent Louis said...

me too I never heard about Neem, it really sounds interesing, but I'm sure it helps you alot!



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