The Magic of Neem

Until we planted our first garden, I’d never even heard of neem. Maybe you’re in the same boat! In my search for organic pest control options, I came across neem oil as an organic and safe option to deter little critters like aphids and mites. And I’m pleased to report it has worked! Our veggies and herbs are largely critter-free! Below is a step-by-step guide to create your own neem-oil solution to use in your home garden. But first, there’s more to learn about the amazing properties of neem that apply far beyond the four walls of your garden bed.

Since discovering neem, I independently became interested in Ayurveda, which is an ancient, holistic (whole-body) healing system and approach for living in connection with nature’s rhythms, which originated in India.  Ayurveda means “knowledge of life” (Ayu meaning life, and veda meaning knowledge), and is also referred to as the “science of life.”  In a beautiful book I’m reading about Ayurveda, called “Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom,” written by Acharya Shunya (find it on amazon here), I discovered even more about neem’s natural healing properties and uses in a natural beauty and hygiene routine.

In a chapter entitled “The Art of Naturally Sparkling Smiles,” Shunya poetically illustrates her experience as a young child, honoring her family’s beloved neem tree (the neem tree is known more formally as Azadirachta indica, and is indigenous to India and Southeast Asia).  After requesting permission from her tree (in a demonstration of love and respect for the tree’s own sacred spirit), Shunya describes using neem twigs to clean her gums and teeth because of neem’s natural antimicrobial qualities.  Shunya further discusses the extensive medicinal value inherent in every part of the neem tree.  

As western medicine now also recognizes, different parts of the neem tree, including neem oil extracted from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree, and the bark and leaf extracts, are antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antifungal, antiviral, and contain myriad other healthful properties that can benefit our medicinal, wellness, and beauty routines.  (See, for example, https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/neem.html). I now personally take a neem supplement, which is touted as highly beneficial for skin clarity, as well as the our bodies’ detox and immune responses. 

None of this is to say you shouldn’t research for yourself all of the benefits and potential risks of using neem.  As discussed in an article by Medical News Today, some people may have an allergy or sensitivity to neem (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325048).

Now on to making your own neem oil solution to help rid your garden of pests!

First, here are all the things you’ll need to make 16 ounces of neem oil solution:

• organic neem oil
• natural dish soap
• medium size mixing bowl
• ½ teaspoon and ¼ teaspoon
• 8-oz measuring cup (or other size works too)
• funnel (optional)
• spray bottle

Step 1

Mix ½ tsp neem oil with ¼ tsp dish soap in your mixing bowl (if you plan to make more than 16oz of the solution, just proportionally increase the amounts).

Step 2

Add 16 oz of warm water to the mixture.

Step 3

Use your funnel to pour the mixture into your spray bottle. If you have really good aim, you may not need a funnel, but I find it much easier to pour this way!

I have tried pouring the neem oil and dish soap directly into the spray bottle and then filling it with warm water from the tap, but I found it didn’t mix quite as well.

And voila! I loved using this spray bottle from The Grove Collaborative (an online subscription service for natural home goods), because they come in lovely colors like this yellow, which in this case reflects the yellow tint of the neem and helps me recognize what’s in the bottle even without labeling it.

But before applying to your plants, a few pointers.  It’s wise to test a plant first to ensure it is not sensitive to the oil by spraying a small area and waiting a day to see the result.  Further, intense application can harm your plants, so make sure the solution is properly diluted and not sprayed too heavily.  Relatedly, to avoid intensifying the effect of the spray, avoid spraying in the extreme heat or cold of the day.  Further, try spraying after a watering session so you don’t inadvertently rinse the solution off of your plants immediately after spraying them, and make sure to spray both sides of the leaves.  After you’ve determined that your plants can handle neem, a once per week application seems to be the recommended schedule.

Gardening is an amazing way to connect with nature, eat as locally as possible (from your own yard!), reduce your carbon footprint, and ensure you get outside daily to get a healthy dose of vitamin D. But it can also be a buggy business, so I hope this little peek into the benefits of neem helps you as it’s helped me! And maybe you’ll feel inspired to incorporate neem into your life in other ways too!

Bon Appétit!