We have listed some recipes / ways to use Neem oil below - but a rule of thumb to remember is to keep your dilution of of Neem oil to about 2 - 5% of any mixture that you apply directly onto your skin. Some of the recipes below use higher percentages - but keep a lookout for any skin irritation.
Cuts, wounds, minor skin disorders and mosquito and insect repellant
Mix with Vaseline or a carrier oil in a ratio of 1:5 and apply to affected area.
Athletes Foot
Add 15 ml to warm water and soak the feet in this preparation.
Head Lice
Mix 50/50 with a carrier oil and massage into the hair and scalp. Leave on for 1 hour and shampoo. Repeat once weekly for 3 weeks or as long as the problem persists.
Stop mosquitoes breeding
Spray or pour oil on all breeding areas. The oil can be emulsified (to mix with water) by adding normal dish washing liquid to it.
Plant protection
Add 30 ml to 1 litre of water and add 1ml of dishwashing liquid. Mix well and spray immediately for plant protection. Do not store the mixture; make fresh formulation for each spray. Spray the mixture on top of all the leaves and on the undersides where insects often hide – you can also spray it around the roots.
Lamp oil to ward off mosquitoes
Add 5 – 10% oil to any lamp oil and burn lamp normally.
Dandruff and itchy scalp
Add a few drops to your regular shampoo.
Ticks and fleas on animals
Add a few drops to your normal pet shampoo (ratio should be 30 ml (1 oz.) to 240 ml (8 oz.) shampoo). (Personally we have found that plain baby shampoo works the best.
Warts
Apply 1 drop of undiluted oil directly on warts once per day. Watch carefully for any possible irritation, and should that occur discontinue use. Continue for 2-3 weeks.
Psoriasis, cold sores, eczema, athletes foot, skin ulcers and other fungal skin conditions
Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) with 4 ounces (120 ml) carrier oil such as jojoba or grape seed oil and apply twice a day to affected skin. Should skin irritation occur, discontinue use, or make mixture with less Neem oil.
Pet and livestock spray for ticks, fleas, mange mites and other pests
Mix 1 ounce (30 ml) oil with 1 gallon (3.8 litre) water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid (to emulsify the oil). Place mixture into a spray bottle or other type of sprayer, and spray animals once every two weeks. (This mixture can be used on indoor and outdoor plants as well as flowers and vegetables.)
Cleaning the house
Add to carpet shampoos and spray mattresses to kill dust mites.
Hand wash
Add a couple of drops to liquid hand soap for antibacterial properties.
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- As Neem oil has a rather strong smell you might want to add a few drops of your essential oil to any mixture to mask the smell. Lavender or lemongrass essential oils work well – but you could add your personal favourite.
Store neem oil in a cool dark place, away from sunlight. Neem oil can easily solidify - even at low room temperatures. Should this happen put the bottle in warm water (below 950 F) to liquify. Do not place in near boiling water, as it may reduce the effectiveness of the oil.
