One of the hottest topics in the natural foods industry is antioxidants, probably because they play a critical role in preventing damage that plays a significant role in initiating chronic degenerative diseases like atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s as well as speeding up the plain old (pun intended!) process of aging.
Oxidative stress is a natural process that occurs as cells produce energy. Free radicals, a by-product of this process, damage cells (including DNA) and tissue. The problem occurs when the body’s resources for quenching these free radicals or repairing the damage they cause aren’t adequate. Antioxidants are in many foods, and many of the health benefits of foods like blueberries, broccoli, and cranberries are directly related to their antioxidant levels.
The ORAC test (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) shows that all forms of neem are extraordinarily high in antioxidants, far higher than foods on the high-antioxidant lists. Along with its immune-boosting properties, high antioxidant levels may help to explain why neem is known around the world as “the village pharmacy.”
| NUTRIENT | ORAC per gram |
| Blueberries | 62.20 |
| Broccoli | 15.90 |
| Cranberry | 94.56 |
| Grapefruit | 15.48 |
| Neem Bark | 476.00 |
| Neem Leaf | 357.00 |
| Neem Oil | 430.06 |
| Neem/Supercritical Extract (8% in sesame oil) | 114.00 |
| Plums | 62.39 |
| Spinach | 26.40 |
| Tomatoes | 4.6 |
If you’re concerned about getting more antioxidants in your body, we recommend:
- For internal use: Six-Way Neem Capsules or Swanson’s Neem Leaf Capsules
- You also can make neem tea with either neem leaf or neem bark. (Learn more at https://neemtreefarms.com/how-to-brew-the-perfect-cup-of-neem-tea/ .
- Antioxidants are also important for body care. Too many free radicals cause wrinkles and are strongly implicated in skin cancer.
- For body care, we recommend Extra-Rich Neem Oil Lotion.
- For your face, try Neem Leaf Rejuvenating Cream
