What is Neem oil?
What is neem oil? Its botanical name is Azadirachta Indica and it’s the active properties of Azadirachta in Neem oil that Pro-Equine is particularly interested in because this is one of the magic ingredients that makes Neem oil work!
Neem oil is extracted from the seeds and leaves of the neem tree. It is a natural oil that is considered to be a super oil due to its many benefits. It grows in semi-tropical and tropical climates. The tree will normally begin bearing fruit after 3 to 5 years, and produce about 50kg annually when mature. The kernels of these fruits yield about 45% neem oil.
The glabrous fruits are olive- like drupes which vary in shape from elongate to nearly roundish and when ripe are 1.4-2.8 x 1.0-1.5 cm . They are green when young and yellowish-green to yellow, rarely reddish when mature. The fruit skin (exocarp) is thin and the bitter-sweet pulp (mesocarp) is yellowish-white and very fibrous. The mesocarp is 0.3-0.5 cm thick. The white hard ‘shell (endocarp) of the seed encloses one, rarely two and very rarely three elongated seed kernels having brown testa.
Sometimes called “the village pharmacy,” neem is a unique medicinal plant in that all of its parts — including its leaves, flowers, seeds, fruit, roots, and bark can be used. Over 140 diverse active compounds have been isolated from various parts of the plant. These active compounds give neem its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory healing properties.
Quality is at the heart of what we do, there are so many various grades of Neem oil on the market some as low as 600 ppm the Azadirachta levels are measured in ppm (parts per Million), Pro-Equine are pleased to offer a superior grade of Neem oil with a minimum of between 1500 – 2500 ppm. We have a close relationship with our suppliers some who we have traded with for over a decade. Our manufacturers range from large multinational companies to small artisan producers all providing excellent quality ingredients that are tested here in the UK before making the final journey to us.
What is Neem oil? It contains vitamin E, collagen and many essential amino acids which help restore moisture and elasticity to your horse’s skin and coat. It can therefore be used on dry and sensitive skin and for wound care. The collagen properties of neem oil promote healthy, new skin and reduce scar tissue. Neem also encourages healthy hair re-growth, very important for horse owners. Neem oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
We encourage you to visit our dedicated Neem page on our website, here you will find neem essentials such as our popular Wunder Gel or Bug Buster Shampoo to help keep your horse’s skin healthy all year round.
