Carrier oils- What are they

We use the words “carrier oil” a lot around here, but not everyone knows what carrier oil is!

Carrier oils are always to be used with essential oils; they are complementary to each other because essential oil cannot be used directly into the skin due to their concentrated nature. If you dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them on to your skin you can dig out best of your essential oil, the carrier oil helps prevent the essential oil from evaporating, enhancing their usefulness. 

Today we’re talking about the most important carrier oil that is Neem oil by doing a deeper dive on our today’s topic neem oil, no doubt on of  the best carrier oil out there.

“Neem carrier oil : India’s Exotic Emollient”, we will try to resolve all the curiosities regarding the neem oil by providing each and every minute detail about neem oil.

Willing to know more?

So in this blog we will tell everything about neem oil :

WHAT IS NEEM OIL?

Scientific name: Azadirachta indica

Neem oil is the oil pressed from the fruits or seed kernels of the neem tree. The neem trees belong to the mahogany family of evergreen trees. Neem trees are natives to Indian subcontinent since ages.

Neem Oil is a said to be potent oil with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insect-repelling properties. 

Neem carrier oil has been reputed for its antiseptic, dermatological and dental properties. It is rich in fatty acids and glycerides and together with its healing properties, provides an excellent natural moisturizing base for skin care formulation.

History of Neem Oil

• Neem – the legendary medicinal tree of India has grown with the human settlement all over the country and has been an integral part of the Indian way of life for centuries.
• Neem Oil has found its mention in multiple treatments in Ancient books and different cultures, and have been into medicinal use in history.
• The history of the Neem tree is inextricably linked to the history of the Indian civilization. The neem tree is also known as “TheVillagePharmacy” in older times because of its medicinal benefits.
• For centuries Indians planted this tree in the vicinity of their homes and practiced gentle and daily interaction with this extraordinary plant.
• Neem leaf extract (neem oil) is a potent antioxidant used internally as an antimicrobial as well as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic.
• In older times the people used to do the collection of ripe seeds, drying, roasting, crushing and pressing them to extract the neem oil.
• From the historical era to the modern scientific times there have been several modifications in the extraction and usage of neem oil.

Origin

• Neem, botanically known as Azadirachta Indica, belongs to Meliaceae family.
• It is indigenous to India and found in tropical and subtropical regions like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
• In India, it is grown from the southern tip of Kerala to the Himalayan hill, in tropical and west tropical region.

• human settlement all over the country and has been an integral part of the Indian way of life for centuries.

• Neem Oil has found its mention in multiple treatments in Ancient books and different cultures, and have been into medicinal use in history.

• The history of the Neem tree is inextricably linked to the history of the Indian civilization. The neem tree is also known as “The  Village  Pharmacy” in older times because of its medicinal benefits.

• For centuries Indians planted this tree in the vicinity of their homes and practiced gentle and daily interaction with this extraordinary plant.

• Neem leaf extract (neem oil) is a potent antioxidant used internally as an antimicrobial as well as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic.

• In older times the people used to do the collection of ripe seeds, drying, roasting, crushing and pressing them to extract the neem oil.
• From the historical era to the modern scientific times there have been several modifications in the extraction and usage of neem oil.

Origin

• Neem, botanically known as Azadirachta Indica, belongs to Meliaceae family.

• It is indigenous to India and found in tropical and subtropical regions like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.

• In India, it is grown from the southern tip of Kerala to the Himalayan hill, in tropical and west tropical region

Ideal condition for nurturing Neem Tree

Neem trees require plenty of bright sunlight. The trees benefit from regular moisture, but care should be taken not to over water, as the tree won’t tolerate wet feet or poorly drained soil. Allow the soil to dry between every watering. Feed the tree about once a month in spring and summer, using a light application of any good quality, balanced fertilizers. When the neem tree bears fruits the fruits are collected properly, then they are taken to further steps involved in the preparation of neem oils.

Important parameters:

Temperature: Neem is a hard tree that can tolerate temperatures up to 120 F. (50 C.). However, extended cool weather with temperatures below 35 F. (5 C.) will cause the tree to drop its leaves.

Climate: Neem tree habitats are dry and hot.

Soil needed: The Neem grows on almost all types of soils including clayey, saline and alkaline soils, with pH up to 8.5, but does well on black cotton soil and deep, well-drained soil with good sub-soil water.

Extraction of Quality Neem oil

The oil can beobtained through pressing and crushing of the seeds kernel both through cold pressing and through the process of incorporating temperature controls 40-50 degree Celsius. Neem seed oil can be obtained by solvent extraction of the neem seeds, fruit oil, cake and kernel. The cold pressing method is a method to extract oils from the seeds of plants and their fruits. It refers to juice that uses a hydraulic press to extract juice from fruit and vegetables, as opposed to other methods such as centrifugal or single auger. It is also known as Scarification or Expression.

Why cold press

Cold pressed oils contain healthy antioxidants that are otherwise damaged by being exposed to heat. Neem oils generated from cold pressed oils are rich in vitamin E, which has anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

Physical and chemical properties of Neem oil

• Appearance: Greenish brown liquid.
• Odour:  Combine the odours of peanut and garlic.
• Insoluble in: Water
• Soluble in: Cosmetic Esters, Vegetable Oil.

 Chemical composition of neem oil

The compound has a melting point of 160°C and molecular weight of 720 g/mol. Other components present include meliantriol, nimbin, nimbidin, nimbinin, nimbolides, fatty acids (oleic, stearic, and palmitic), and salannin. The main neem product is the oil extracted from the seeds by different techniques.

Now ,this is the bifurcation of various acids present in neem oils :

Fatty Acid	Percent Composition
Unsaturated fractions
Oleic acid ( C18:1 )	18.17
Linolenic acid (C18:2)	61.28
Erucic acid ( C22:1)	0.00
Palmitoleic acid (C16:1)	0.06
Saturated fractions
Palmitic acid (C16:0)	10.82
Stearic acid (C18:0)	9.15
Arachidic acid (C20:0)	0.00
Behenic acid (C22:0)	0.00
Lignoceric acid (C24:0)	0.00
Others	0.01
Unsaturated/saturated ratio	80.02:19.98
Total	100%

Neem oil benefits

1.  Application on skin can help treating worm, insect and mosquito bite.

2. Neem oil works as a good insect repellent.
3. Neem oil is famous for its anti-fungal properties and is widely used to get rid of disorders of hair and skin as well as other problems of dandruff and head lice.
4. There is an abundant use of Ayurvedic medicines and beauty products.
5. Neem oil acts as immunity booster adding a few drops of neem to lukewarm water and sipping it strengthens our immune system.
6.  Combinations of neem oil and sesame oil are applied on skin infections or worm/insect bite to get rid of redness, itchiness and inflammation (1/10 ratio) should be maintained. 7.Mixing neem oil with coconut, frees your scalp from dandruff.
8. Neem oil prevents and removes blackheads. Applying neem oil with water help remove blackheads.

Precautions for Neem Oil Users

There are a few side effects of neem oil. Kids, infants and toddlers must refrain from consuming neem oil. People suffering with kidney and liver diseases cannot use it without the physician’s permission. Whether it is neem oil, neem paste or neem leaves, the doctor’s consultation is a must.

Neem is slightly sedative in nature and so it is associated with fatigue. Do not overuse Neem oil. If you are using some medications, consult your doctor prior to its usage.

Conclusion

After reading this whole thing out I am sure that you come to know that how amazing and useful neem oil is and you are also enlightened with the fact that neem oil is one of the best carrier oil out there… so when are you purchasing neem oil?

Also, please mention about your experiences with Neem Oils. Also, do let us know what different applications you have used the Neem Oil for. Let’s share your view. I’m sure we can find more about this hidden oil, when we all discuss it together.