Many people living with psoriasis — a chronic skin condition that causes dry, discolored, itchy, and scaly patches — take medication prescribed by their doctor to treat it. Some people choose to pair their prescribed psoriasis treatments with natural remedies. Neem oil is one natural remedy that the members of MyPsoriasisTeam have incorporated into their skin care regimens.

Here’s what to know about neem oil and its potential effectiveness as a natural remedy for managing the symptoms of psoriasis. Consult your doctor or dermatologist before trying new treatment methods for psoriasis (even those that are natural like neem oil). Although researchers have studied the health benefits of neem oil for certain skin diseases, studies on psoriasis and neem oil are limited.

What Is Neem Oil?

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a large evergreen tree. This tree is believed to be native to India and Southeast Asia and now grows in many tropical and subtropical regions. The neem tree is renowned for its medicinal value and healing properties and has been widely used in the Indian Ayurvedic (or Ayurveda) system of medicine for thousands of years.

Every part of the tree — roots, bark, twigs, leaves, flowers, seeds — is used for various medicinal purposes. The different parts of the tree contain chemical compounds with extensive therapeutic qualities. Parts of the neem tree and products made with it are used daily in India, Africa, and the Middle East and have been for centuries. Today, neem oil is commonly used in skin care products.

Neem oil (or neem seed oil) is extracted from neem leaves and seeds of the neem tree fruit. Neem oil is very thick, typically yellow or brown, and has a strong, unpleasant smell. The oil is especially beneficial when used for skin conditions. Neem oil has antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil is also made up of omega-9 and omega-6 fatty acids. Some researchers believe that the high fatty acid content is the reason it is so effective in treating skin disorders.

Can Neem Oil Help Treat Psoriasis?

Neem oil has several properties that can benefit those with psoriatic skin. Researchers have found that organic, high-quality neem oil has even helped clear psoriasis symptoms and can improve other skin conditions such as warts, acne, and eczema. While neem oil may help manage psoriasis flare-up symptoms like dryness and irritation, it does not address the underlying cause of the condition.

Neem Oil as an Emollient

When used as an emollient (a moisturizing cream that softens skin), neem oil can help relieve irritation and itchiness and moisturize, protect, and heal lesions or scaling. It can form a barrier on top of the skin to keep in moisture. Vitamin E and fatty acids naturally present in neem oil help soften dry skin caused by psoriasis.

Fatty Acids

Neem oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids. Linoleic acid, in particular, plays a key role in maintaining the skin’s protective barrier, repairing cracks, and preventing moisture loss. These benefits may help alleviate psoriasis symptoms, as the condition is associated with genetic factors that weaken the skin barrier.

Antibacterial Properties

Neem oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. When used as an ointment, lotion, shampoo, or soap, the antibacterial properties of the neem oil can help fight a bacterial or fungal skin infection caused by scratching dry and broken skin. Both its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin, as well.

Wound-Healing Properties

Studies from 2010 and 2013 found that neem oil offered better wound-healing properties than petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and saline, respectively. As with neem oil’s antibacterial properties, wound-healing properties may be helpful if scratching itchy psoriasis plaques has led to skin injury.

How To Apply Neem Oil

A variety of neem products are available, and neem oil can be bought as pure neem oil or as an essential oil that you can add to your hair and skin care products. You can also find neem oil as an ingredient in products such as lotions, cleansers, shampoos, and conditioners.

Psoriasis can appear on many parts of the body, including the knees, elbows, abdomen, and scalp. Application of the neem oil depends on where the psoriasis flare-up is located.

You can apply neem oil to your psoriasis and make it a regular addition to your skin care routine. Consider adding a few drops of neem oil to coconut oil and then rubbing it into affected areas. You can also add a few drops of neem oil to moisturizers, bathwater, or face and hair masks.

You can decide when to apply neem oil, depending on your schedule. Some people like to apply oils at night, when they have time to do their skin and scalp routines.

Applying Neem Oil to the Scalp

For many members of MyPsoriasisTeam, scalp psoriasis is an ongoing issue, and some have discussed using neem oil for the scalp. “I have psoriasis of the scalp,” wrote one member. “I have suffered with it for four years. It has a considerable effect on my life.”

Another member responded with advice on managing scalp psoriasis: “Using more natural products, like aloe vera gel and neem oil, has helped me stay as clear as I can.”

MyPsoriasisTeam members often discuss the combination of aloe vera gel and neem oil. One member recommended making a hair gel that consists of aloe vera gel, neem oil, castor oil, rosemary, and lavender. They said the combo had significantly improved their psoriasis symptoms, alongside their prescription medications and organic shampoo.

A few drops of neem oil can be added to any shampoo or conditioner.

Potential Risks of Using Neem Oil

Neem oil can be applied in different ways to different areas of the body, but there are some potential risks. You should take precautions when applying it for the first time.

Neem Oil May Interfere With Pregnancy

Although neem oil has been used for medicinal purposes in India for centuries, it is also used as spermicide and birth control. There are properties within neem oil that attack sperm, prevent implantation, and may harm a fetus or embryo. If you are pregnant or are trying to conceive, talk to your doctor about natural remedies that may be safer for you than neem oil.

Neem Oil May Cause Unwanted Reactions

You may wonder if you can leave neem oil on your skin overnight. It’s always good to test a new product.

If you have sensitive skin and know that topical applications can be a trigger for your psoriasis flare-ups, try a patch test. To test if the neem oil will irritate your skin or cause unpleasant side effects, put a small amount on the back of your hand and wait 24 to 48 hours before using it anywhere else on your body. If your skin shows irritation, you should avoid putting neem oil directly onto your skin. You may also want to test neem oil on a small area of skin affected by psoriasis before using it more widely.

A MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote about their reaction to neem oil: “Help! Started using neem oil on my scalp. It seemed fine until two weeks ago I started experiencing extreme itching and irritation. Has anyone had a similar experience? The itching is driving me nuts.”

Neem Oil May Not Work for You

As with any medication or treatment option, there is a possibility that it simply won’t work for some like it does for others. As one member wrote, “I have used many oils. They are messy and provide me with little relief.”

Neem Oil Can Stain Clothes and Fabrics

Aside from health impacts, neem oil can stain clothes, bedding, and fabrics due to its thick consistency and dark color. If you’re applying neem oil before bed or using it during the day, consider wearing old clothing or covering treated areas to avoid staining your belongings. Be mindful when applying neem oil, as it can be difficult to remove from fabrics once it has set in.

Talk to Your Doctor About Neem Oil

If you are interested in trying neem oil for your psoriasis, first consult your doctor or dermatologist. Applying too much of the neem oil or ingesting it in large doses can be toxic. Getting the dosage correct is important for both prescription medications and natural remedies, including dietary supplements, and your doctor can help guide you.

Find Your Team

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. On MyPsoriasisTeam more than 130,000 members come together to ask questions, share advice, and connect with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Have you tried neem oil or a product made with neem oil as a complementary remedy for your psoriasis? How do you apply it? Share your experience with others in the comments below or by posting to your Activities feed.