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| - Last Updated on May 29, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
As per a social media post, neem fruit pulp oil can promote hair growth. The video is about neem fruit benefits for hair. Our fact check deems this claim as mostly false.
The Claim
A social media video claims that neem fruit pulp oil can promote hair growth.
Fact Check
What is neem fruit?
Neem, scientifically known as Azadirachta indica, is a tree indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. This tree, often referred to as “nature’s pharmacy,” is an integral part of traditional medicine due to its vast variety of medicinal properties. The neem tree produces small, greenish-yellow fruits called neem berries or nimboli. Each fruit contains a bitter pulp rich in bioactive compounds like azadirachtin, nimbin, and nimbidin, which contribute to its therapeutic benefits.
What are the neem fruit benefits for hair?
Neem fruit is very popular for its numerous health benefits, particularly in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. When it comes to hair care, neem offers several significant advantages:
- Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties: Neem’s potent antifungal and antibacterial qualities can help combat scalp infections, such as dandruff and scalp psoriasis, thus maintaining a clean and healthy scalp environment conducive to hair growth.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: The anti-inflammatory properties of neem can help soothe an irritated scalp, reducing conditions like dermatitis, which can inhibit hair growth and health.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Neem contains antioxidants that protect the scalp and hair from damage due to free radicals. These free radicals are known to cause premature greying and hair thinning.
- Moisturising: Neem oil is renowned for its ability to deeply moisturise the scalp and hair, preventing dryness and brittleness, which can lead to hair breakage.
- Lice Treatment: Neem oil is often used as a natural treatment for head lice due to its insecticidal properties.
Does neem increase hair growth?
It may help some people with hair growth, but the results are completely individual. Also, a healthy diet and lifestyle are other important influencing factors. Neem fruit pulp oil alone may not address your hair concerns. The scientific literature remains inconclusive.
Neem is famous for its potential health benefits. However, the claim that neem fruit pulp oil promotes hair growth needs more research. Some of the available evidence concerning neem are:
- Scalp Health: A healthy scalp is essential for hair growth. Neem oil’s antifungal and antibacterial properties help treat and prevent scalp infections, such as dandruff and lice. This helps in achieving healthy hair.
- Hair Strength: By deeply moisturising the scalp and hair, neem oil can prevent dryness and brittleness. This can reduce hair breakage, leading to thicker, stronger hair over time, along with proper diet and lifestyle.
- Blood Circulation: Massaging neem oil into the scalp may improve blood circulation, which is beneficial for hair follicles. Enhanced blood flow ensures that hair follicles receive adequate nutrients and oxygen, which are vital for hair growth. But be careful, there have been cases of allergic reactions due to neem. Always do a patch test before.
What do studies say about neem and hair growth?
Neem has been used traditionally for hair care since ages. But scientific studies specifically examining neem fruit pulp oil’s effectiveness in promoting hair growth are understudied. Most claims are informal or unscientific or based on historical usage in traditional medicine. Here are some insights from existing research:
- Antimicrobial Effects: A study highlighted neem’s antimicrobial properties, which can help maintain a healthy scalp by preventing microbial infections that might inhibit hair growth.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Research has shown that neem’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce scalp irritation, which may contribute to a healthier environment for hair follicles.
- Antioxidant Benefits: The antioxidants in neem can protect hair follicles from oxidative stress, which is a known factor in hair thinning and loss.
However, these studies often focus on neem leaves or bark rather than the fruit pulp, suggesting a need for more targeted research on neem fruit pulp oil.
What are the adverse effects of neem?
Neem is popular for its health benefits. But it is important to be aware of the potential adverse effects, especially when it is consumed or used improperly. Here is a list of the possible side effects due to neem:
- Ingestion Risks
- Children: Neem oil ingestion has been fatal in several children.
- Adults: Cases of toxic encephalopathy and toxic optic neuropathy have been reported.
- Symptoms: Vomiting, drowsiness, diarrhoea, seizures, metabolic acidosis, altered sensorium, Reye-like syndrome, nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), and hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
2. Specific Conditions:
- Pseudotumor Cerebri: A possible cause in a nine-month-old infant due to neem and Indian Mulberry (Morinda coreia) leaves.
- Hemolytic Anaemia: Reported in a 35-year-old man with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
- Heart Issues: Neem leaf poisoning linked to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
- Blood Sugar Levels: May cause hypoglycemia, needing caution in patients on anti-hyperglycemic agents.
- Pregnancy and Lactation: Neem leaf or oil ingestion is contraindicated.
- Children: Not recommended for those under 12 years old.
4. Long-Term Effects and Contamination:
- Long-term effects of neem are not well-understood.
- Neem-based remedies may be contaminated with fungal flora, aflatoxins, and other toxic compounds.
- Dermatitis: Cases of allergic contact dermatitis and airborne allergic contact dermatitis from neem oil.
- Stomatitis: Allergic contact stomatitis after ingesting neem leaves.
- Leucoderma: Lip leucoderma reported from using neem twigs for oral hygiene.
6. Skin Reactions:
- Plant phenols and catechols in neem may inhibit tyrosinase and cause melanocytotoxicity (harm to skin pigment cells). This can lead to skin depigmentation in some individuals.
Understanding these likely adverse effects is important for safely using neem products. Always consult with a healthcare professional before including neem into your health regimen. This holds especially true, if you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant, nursing, or planning to use it on children.
What does an expert say?
We consulted Dr Ubaid ur Rahman, a General Physician from Holy Mission Clinic, New Delhi regarding the claim. He said, “I suggest caution when using neem fruit pulp oil for hair growth. Because, there have been some cases of adverse effects. While it may help with scalp health and hair strength, the evidence is not conclusive. Always perform a patch test to avoid allergic reactions, and consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment, especially if you have underlying health conditions.”
Dr Rahman urges everyone to practice a patch test before using neem fruit pulp oil for hair care.
Conclusion
To summarise, neem fruit offers possible benefits for hair health, particularly in maintaining a healthy scalp and preventing infections. However, the claim that neem fruit pulp oil can significantly improve hair growth lacks strong scientific backing. Neem fruit benefits for hair are mainly due to its ability to improve scalp conditions and overall hair strength. While the question “Does neem increase hair growth?” remains partially answered, maintaining a healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair, and neem can be a valuable part of that regimen.
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