Neem Oil

Chronic inflammation can be harmful and lead to illness, which is why it’s important to limit it as much as possible.
Traditional Taiwanese medicine has long employed sesame oil for its anti-inflammatory properties, using it to treat joint inflammation, toothaches, and scrapes (7Trusted Source). More recently, animal and test-tube studies have shown that sesame oil can reduce inflammation, which may be one of its main health benefits.
For example, test-tube studies have found that sesame oil reduced inflammatory markers, such as nitric oxide production (1Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source). However, more studies in humans are needed.
SUMMARY Animal and test-tube studies show that sesame oil may reduce inflammation. However, more studies in humans are needed.

Be sure to purchase an organic, 100 percent pure, cold-pressed neem oil. It will be cloudy and yellowish in color and will have an odor resembling mustard, garlic, or sulfur. When you’re not using it, store it in a cool, dark place. Before putting neem oil on your face, do a patch test on your arm. If within 24 hours you don’t develop any signs of an allergic reaction — such as redness or swelling — it should be safe to use the oil on other areas of your body.
Pure neem oil is incredibly potent. To treat acne, fungal infections, warts, or moles, use undiluted neem oil to spot treat affected areas.
1. Lightly dab the neem oil onto the area using a cotton swab or cotton ball, and allow it to soak in for up to 20 minutes.
2. Wash off the oil with warm water.
3. Use daily until you achieve desired results.
Because of the potency of neem oil, it’s a good idea to mix it with equal parts of a carrier oil — like jojoba, grapeseed, or coconut oil — when using it for larger areas of the face or body, or on sensitive skin.
The carrier oil can also subdue the odor of neem oil, or you can add a few drops of other oils like lavender to improve the smell. Once the oils are blended, use the combination as you would a moisturizer on the face and body.
If you find the oil combination to be too oily, you can mix a few drops of neem oil with aloe vera gel, which also will be soothing to irritated skin. Neem oil can also be added to a warm bath to treat larger areas of the body.

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Neem oil is safe but extremely potent. It may cause an adverse reaction in someone with sensitive skin or a skin disorder like eczema. If it’s your first time using neem oil, start by trying a small, diluted amount of it on a small area of your skin, away from your face. If redness or itching develop, you may wish to further dilute the oil or avoid using it completely.
Hives, severe rash, or difficulty breathing could be a sign of allergic reaction. Discontinue use of neem oil immediately and consult a doctor if your conditions persist. Neem oil is a powerful oil and not suitable for use by children. Before using neem oil on a child, consult with your doctor.
Studies have not been done to establish whether neem oil is safe to use during pregnancy, so it’s best to avoid it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Neem oils should never be consumed, as they are toxic.

With a history of use spanning thousands of years, neem oil is an intriguing, all-natural oil that you may consider trying for a variety of skin conditions, and as an anti-aging treatment. Neem oil is relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and blends easily into the skin, as well as with other oils.
Other studies have demonstrated that topical treatment with sesame oil reduced burn and wound healing time in mice, though human research in this area is lacking (22Trusted Source, 23).