More and more people are looking for natural or herbal alternatives for common ailments and birth options. The neem plant (Azadirachta indica) has risen in popularity globally as a strong contender to possibly knock pharmaceutical contraceptives out of the ring.

Native to India, neem has shown great promise as an effective and natural contraceptive. The tree can grow up to 20-23 meters tall and has a straight trunk measuring 4-5 feet in diameter. Its leaves and green drupe fruits turn golden yellow in the summer months—and every bit of it can be used medicinally.

Neem has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine for its numerous health benefits, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.

Neem as a spermicide

The science behind neem as a contraceptive has indicated that neem oil, extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, can immobilize and kill sperm within the female reproductive tract.

In one study published in the Contraception Journal, neem oil was found to be an effective spermicide, capable of reducing sperm motility to zero within 30 seconds of contact.

The National Library of Medicine’s study ‘Neem: A Tree For Solving Global Problems‘ also had promising results indicating the efficacy of neem as a spermicide.

“Neem oil in vitro proved to be a strong spermicidal agent. Rhesus monkeys and human spermatozoa became totally immotile within 30 seconds of contact with the undiluted oil.

“In vivo studies in rats (20), rabbits (eight), rhesus monkeys (14), and human volunteers (10) proved that neem oil applied intravaginally before sexual intercourse prevented pregnancy in all the species.” 

Researchers have also explored neem’s impact on fertility in animal studies.

Administering neem oil to female rats is said to result in a significant reduction in their fertility. The researchers believe that neem oil works by creating an inhospitable environment for sperm and disrupting the implantation of fertilized eggs in the uterus.

In another 2021 study titled, ‘Neem as a contraceptive…” the plant was proven to be effective as a contraceptive, with extracts and phytochemicals showing temporary and reversible effects on libido and secondary sexual character growth.

Neem’s advantages and challenges

One great advantage of neem as a form of birth control is its natural origin.

Unlike synthetic contraceptives, which can have side effects and health risks, neem is a natural product with a long history of safe use in traditional medicine. 

Additionally, neem oil is relatively inexpensive and widely available, making it a potentially accessible option for women.

And yes, it does grow locally in Jamaica.

However, a major hurdle when it comes to using neem as a contraceptive is the need for consistent and precise application. Neem oil must be applied before intercourse, which requires advance planning and can be inconvenient.

That aside, it offers itself as an effective natural control option.

There is still a need for more extensive clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of neem oil as a contraceptive in humans.

Sources:

• National Research Council (US) Panel on Neem. (1992). Breakthroughs in population control?. Neem: A Tree For Solving Global Problems. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234639/

• Patil, S. M., Shirahatti, P. S., VB, C. K., Ramu, R., & Prasad, N. (2021). Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) as a contraceptive: An evidence-based review on its pharmacological efficiency. Phytomedicine, 88, 153596.

• Spermicidal activity of azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract – contraception. (n.d.). https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(03)00165-3/fulltext