Nail Fungus & Neem Oil
Nail fungus, also known as onchomychosis, is an unsightly nail infection. Neem oil, a popular natural cure for many skin infections, is making a name for itself as a nail fungus remedy too.
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Potential
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Although there is no research about neem oil's action on nail fungus, the general antifungal properties of neem oil are well documented. A review article about the biological activities of neem compounds, published by the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology in 2002, reported that neem leaf extracts and neem oil were effective in killing human fungi.
Significance
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Neem oil not only treats nail fungus due to its strong anti-fungal action, but also improves the appearance of brittle fingernails because of its nourishing and moisturizing properties.
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How to Use
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DiscoverNeem.com suggests massaging a drop of neem oil into a nail and its surrounding areas, to treat and prevent nail fungus.
Considerations
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People avoid neem oil because of its smell. The sulfurous compounds that are responsible for its odor are the same ones that are responsible for its medicinal properties. While the smell of neem oil takes a bit of getting used to, it cannot be avoided if efficacy is desired.
Safety
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Neem oil is very safe as long as it is used only externally. Ingestion of neem oil may lead to unwanted side effects.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Randen Pederson
