Neem an insectide, and maybe more

The termite-resistant neem tree, a member of the mahogany family, is native to India, where it’s been used for centuries as a dye, medicine and insecticide for crops. In the U.S., oil from neem seeds is used as an ingredient in herbal moisturizers, soaps, shampoos and toothpastes. Researchers recently began studying whether the hardy, fast-growing tree -- now grown in tropical regions around the world -- may have a role to play in reducing erosion, deforestation and global warming.

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Uses: Neem is used to treat ulcers, eczema and other chronic skin disorders in ayurvedic medicine. Other alternative medicine practitioners tout neem as protective against malaria, cancer, diabetes and AIDS.

Dose: Available in capsule form; recommended doses vary widely.

Precautions: The supplement is generally considered safe, and few side effects have been consistently reported.

Research: Studies show that extracts from the neem tree are a safe and effective -- albeit slow-acting -- insecticide. Neem oil is also protective against a range of plant pathogens, but evidence for the tree’s medicinal powers in humans is largely anecdotal. Animal studies show it may be helpful in controlling diabetes, and researchers in the U.S. and Asia are investigating a role for neem oil as a male contraceptive. Overall, however, there is little strong evidence to support neem’s litany of medicinal uses.

Dietary supplement makers are not required by the U.S. government to demonstrate that their products are safe or effective. Ask your healthcare provider for advice on selecting a brand.

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-- Elena Conis