Neem oil as a contraceptive ~ Zeniths Blog

Neem tree, popularly known as dogonyaro in Nigeria, is a fast-growing plant of the mahogany family ‘meliaceae’, which is mostly found in tropical and semi-tropical regions. This evergreen plant usually grows to over 60 feet and rarely ever loses all of its leaves, even in severe dry climates.

Neem tree

The neem plant is known to serve various purposes and is used in a lot of ayurvedic medicinal purposes; the mostly used parts of the plants are the seed, the bark and the leaves.

There are various health issues that are usually treated traditionally by using the leaves, barks, seeds and flowers of the neem plant, they include:

Gum disorders and tooth plaque
Stomach ulcers
Psoriasis
Intestinal worms
Fevers
Diabetes
Skin disorders and diseases

However, it is highly advised that people talk to their doctors before using neem and any other medicine to treat conditions, especially when the patient is a child or a pregnant/lactating mother.

READ ALSO: Top medicinal plants found in Nigeria

Pregnant women or women hoping to get pregnant are also advised to completely desist from the use of neem due to its strong spermicidal properties that can prevent pregnancies and even lead to miscarriages.

Neem oil is the oil extracted from the seeds of neem trees; it has a strong odor that can be likened to a combination garlic and peanuts, and comes in various colors like yellowish brown, to golden yellow, reddish brown, brown and even bright red.

Neem oil extracted from the seeds of the neem plant

Uses of neem oil

Neem oil can be used in the treatment of intestinal worm and even leprosy
It can be used in the treatment of skin disorders, wounds, head lice and skin ulcers
Neem oil works as a good skin softener
It also serves as an effective pesticide
It can be used as a safe bug repellent
Neem oil can also be used in making fertilizers
Due to it’s spermicidal properties, neem oil can be used as a natural contraceptive
Neem oil is used in preparing various ayurvedic medicines

Neem oil as a contraceptive – how it works

Neem oil has been used traditionally as a form of birth control for so many years, mostly in India where the tree grows in abundance and is used for a lot of ayurvedic purposes.

Experiments carried out to test the efficiency of neem oil as form of contraceptive showed that it indeed has the power to immobilize and even, completely kill sperm cells.

To show the spermicidal properties of neem, the oil was directly applied to a dish containing healthy sperm and then carefully observed. The experiment proved that neem oil has the power to kill sperm cells completely in as little as 30 seconds to 5 minutes, a result which showed that it is indeed an effective form of birth control.

To use neem oil as a contraceptive, a cotton ball soaked in neem oil should be inserted into the vagina 15 minutes before intercourse, and left in there for up to 5 minutes to allow the vagina walls get properly coated with the oil; the process can then be repeated after intercourse for good measure.

Neem oil works the same way modern spermicides work in preventing pregnancies; it kills sperm cells, slows their mobility and hence prevents conception. It is however not generally advised that neem oil be taken orally as a form of contraception.

Using neem oil as a contraceptive also comes with two added advantages – it has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent certain infections and sexually transmitted diseases during intercourse. Neem oil also serves as a good natural lubricant during intercourse.

However, one should always note that like every other spermicide, neem oil alone may not work 100% of the time and can always be combined with another form of birth control like the male or female condoms.

READ ALSO: Family planning in Nigeria: methods and problems

Advantages of neem oil as a contraceptive

It is easy to use and very effective
Unlike like a lot of spermicides, neem oil does not cause irritations or discomfort when used
It is quite easy to purchase
The antimicrobial properties of neem help prevent some infections and STIs
It serves as a natural lubricant during sex

Disadvantages of neem oil as a contraceptive

It has a strong smell some may find unpleasant
More research is still required on the use of neem oil as a contraceptive

Remember, extracts of neem should never be taken internally by pregnant women, women hoping to conceive and by children; and it is always advised that you talk to your doctor before making use of home remedies with strong properties such as neem.

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