Looking for neem? Have you ever been looking to buy top quality neem but could not figure out where to begin? Neem-oil products are getting more attention these days and are being made available, but right now are for the most part only found on the internet or in health shops and other out of the way places. Since these are hard to find items it is easy to grab the first thing you come across just because it says neem on it. Here are some quick tips that will help you make an educated choice before you stock up on an inferior product-

Know How The Neem Oil Was Removed From The Neem Seeds There are a couple of methods commonly used today to extract the oil from the seeds of the neem tree. As you have probably figured out, not all extraction process produce the same quality oil. 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. It is also the first and most accepted method of extraction. It utilizes a mechanical device that squeezes the oil from the dried seeds. Always make sure to buy only cold pressed neem oil where possible.

A second common way to extract the oil from the seeds uses hot water vapor and extreme temperatures. Though this technique yields more oil than cold pressing, a lot of the active compounds in the neem oil can possibly be ruined due to the extreme temperatures.

The third process is the one that most neem processors use because it extracts the greatest quantity of neem oil. It is called solvent extraction, and almost always hexane (which is also called “white gasoline”) is the chemical used. Though this method extracts just about all of the neem oil from the neem seeds, the solvents kill most of the active compounds in the neem oil. And along with this and the fact that the solvent is poisonous, it is best to look for products that do not contain neem oil that was extracted using them.

Be Sure The Products Do Not Contain Additives Almost all bath and beauty items today contain added substances to “enhance” the products performance. But keep in mind that some of these chemicals may actually cause adverse side effects. Two of the most common compounds that may be in many of the products are Lauryl Sulfates and Parabens. Lauryl Sulfates are often used as foam enhancers, because they are cheap and work very well. The majority of inexpensive neem shampoo and soap products contain these additives too. However, these chemicals are known to have some side effects. The US Food and Drug Administration encourages developers of these products not to use them.

Parabens are often used for preserving, and though there has been no substantial proof that they are harmful, they are starting to be avoided by many. Some organizations feel they should be avoided for the sake of precaution.

Buy Only Products That Contain Certified Organic Ingredients For obvious reasons, organic ingredients are preferred over non-organic ingredients. These are natural substances, and have not been exposed to potentially dangerous chemical compounds, synthetic fertilizers, or other un-natural substances. Look for labels that list certified organic ingredients. If a producer uses them, they will almost always state this selling point somewhere on the packaging.

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