Neem Oil: The pure neem oil is very powerful and should be used with caution. We do not recommend that the oil be used internally. Neem oil is very effective for many situations when used externally but should be diluted with something else like shampoo, other oils or creams and lotions to enhance their effect. There are some cases when neem oil will be used in its pure form. Such cases may be warts, moles, severe hot spots, moist eczema, fungus or mange conditions that have open sores and the alcohol in the extract may cause too much burning. When using pure oil the area of application should be checked frequently for any type of reaction and if there is any inflammation wash off the oil. We have found when oil is used like this it is not advisable to leave it on more than 48 to 72 hours. Warts & moles would be the only exception. In these type of applications you should be using only enough to cover the wart or mole. We have applied these minute amounts (one drop) to spots for over two weeks with no adverse effects. The complete dissolving of the wart or mole is normal in most cases. All dogs are different and the reaction may vary. Some will show no reaction at all while another may show a reddening or rash of the skin. A small test spot is a good way to check for sensitivity. The addition of neem oil to any shampoo, even if not for therapeutic reasons, will greatly improve the final result. The ratio for neem to shampoo is ½ to 1oz. of neem oil to sixteen oz. of chemical free shampoo. The severity of the problem will dictate the amount of oil used. This is the recommended mixture for the first step in most skin treatments, especially mange. This will place the neem over the entire animal, open the pores and clean the dead skin and scabs off the animal, allowing the extract, herbal outdoor spray or tea to do their job. Neem oil mixed with a good hand lotion or a base oil such as sweet almond or grape seed oil is also very effective and can be applied more liberally if the pure neem oil is too strong for comfort.
Neem Extract: Neem extract is very safe for internal use. Although neem is very bitter as are all the neem products this bitterness is very effective in balancing blood sugar levels. High sugar or to much sweetness in the body are often the cause of hot spots and various skin eruptions. Neem extract is alcohol based and caution should be taken to avoid open sores or wounds as it will give a burning sensation. Extract has excellent penetrating power and is the best for spot treating mange or ring worm and fungus around toe nails and in ears. With regard to ears, after cleaning the ears, a drop or two once a day in each ear is very effective for killing bacteria or fungus and can be used as needed. Use very carefully around the eyes due to the alcohol.
Neem Capsules: The neem capsules are comprised of finely ground neem leaf and are best for internal use. Bulk neem powder is exactly the same as the contents of the neem caps. Most dogs don’t seem to have a problem eating it and we have found it to be a very convenient way of administering the dosage. Neem caps are 500mg. A good rule of thumb is to give one cap or 500mg. per 10 lbs. of body weight per day. Up to eight (8) caps a day is sufficient for large breeds weighing 80 to 100 lbs. Dosage can be slightly increased for the giant breeds. We recommend using the loose powder in the food for economic reasons. You can calculate 1 teaspoon is equal to 5 grams or 5000 milligrams or 10 caps. It is virtually impossible to over dose on neem leaf powder so if you’re fairly close on the dosage the dog will be just fine. The safety of this product is one of the great things about it. If your dog is picky or not a good eater use the capsules. These dosages can be split for a twice a day regiment. If you have run out of neem powder or can not get it, neem extract can be substituted and put in to the food or water. One ml or one dropper full is equal to about 2500 mg. of powder. For long term use, after the initial dosage is given and results are obtained, the dosage can be reduced by at least one third to one half.
Whole Neem Leaf: The whole neem leaf can be used to make a tea for spraying on skin conditions or for a rinse after bathing. We have found it quite useful for the overall skin treatment of hot spots, eczema, and minor cases of mange and fungus type conditions. If the dog will drink the tea this is great for internal applications. Humans have drank the tea for thousands of years for good health. It may be possible to wet the food with the tea and get it into the dog like this. Distilled water should always be used when making tea. The measurement for brewing tea is one good handful, about one cup of leaf, to one quart of water. When using leaf powder, which I prefer, use one oz. or one quarter cup powder per quart of water. Bring the water to a boil, remove from the heat, add the whole leaf or powder, cover and let it stand overnight or 24 hours. With the leaf you simply strain the liquid, put into a spray bottle and use as needed. When powder is used put the brew into a tall glass jar or bottle and let it stand in the refrigerator until the sediment settles to the bottom.. Then draw off or siphon the liquid on top into a spray bottle or storage bottle. I feel the powder makes a superior and much more powerful tea and is worth the extra trouble. The tea should be kept in the refrigerator for long term storage. If left out a scum forms in the liquid. I have used grapefruit seed extract as a preservative with some success. (10 drops per qt.) This will help protect and preserve the liquid if left out for a few days. Even with a natural preservative, refrigeration is still the best method for long term storage.
A note in closing . There are some areas where we have found no or little effect with neem. Staff infections have not responded. Fleas respond to a strong solution of oil or tea. The pure oil which is very pungent and may make this application unpractical. Neem does not seem to bother or eliminate tapeworm although other types of internal parasites are generally terminated. When storing any of the neem products, keeping them in a cool dark place will extend shelf life. Neem is not a replacement for regular veterinary care.