Have you been in the market for high quality neem but did not know what to look for? Neem-oil products are starting to become more available, but for now are for the most part only found on the internet or in small beauty shops and other out of the way places. These products are not easy to find, so it is easy to grab the first thing you come across just because it says neem on the bottle. But here are a few tips that will help you make an informed decision before purchasing the wrong stuff-

Figure Out How The Oil Was Extracted There are a lot of methods commonly used today to extract the oil from the seeds of the neem tree. As you might have already concluded, not all extraction process were created equally. The best extraction method that produces the most desirable neem seed oil is called cold pressing. Cold pressing neem oil is the best, as the majority of the active compounds remain intact. Cold pressing is also the first and most accepted method of extraction. It is done with a mechanical device that squeezes the oil out of the seeds. Always opt for cold pressed neem oil where possible.

A second method uses steam and extreme temperatures. Though this method yields more oil than cold pressing, a lot of the active compounds in the neem oil can possibly be destroyed because of the extreme temperatures.

The third process is one that most manufacturers use because it extracts the most oil. It is called solvent extraction, and in most cases hexane (also known as gasoline) is the solvent that is used. Even though this method extracts nearly all of the oil from the dried seeds, the solvents destroy most of the active compounds in the neem. Besides this and the fact that the chemical being used is poisonous, it is best that you look for neem products that do not contain neem oil that was extracted using them.

Watch Out For Additives Most cosmetics and bath/shower products today contain chemical compounds to “enhance” the products performance. But keep in mind that some of these chemicals may actually cause many side effects. Two of the most common additives that are in a lot of bath bath products are Lauryl Sulfates and Parabens. Lauryl Sulfates are mostly used as foamers, because they are cheap and work very well. Many inexpensive neem pet shampoo products contain these additives as well. However, these chemicals are a known irritant. In fact, the USFDA asks developers of these products not to use them.

Parabens are often used for preserving, and though there has been no real studies showing that that they are potentially dangerous, they are becoming more and more controversial. Some organizations feel they should be avoided in order to err on the side of safety.

Be Sure To Look For Certified Organic Ingredients Of course, organic ingredients are always more desireable than ones that are not. These are natural substances, and have not been exposed to man-made chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, the like. Look for labels that list certified organic ingredients. If a manufacturer uses them, they will always state this (it’s a selling point) somewhere on the packaging.

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