Vaginal creams and suppositories made with
neem oil are quickly becoming the birth control method of choice
in India. They are non-irritating and easy to use while almost 100%
effective. It's important to note, however, that even toxic spermicides
are not 100 % effective. When tested against human sperm neem extract
(sodium nimbidinate) at 1000 mg was able to kill all sperm in just
5 minutes and required only 30 minutes at a 250 mg level. They have
the added benefit of preventing vaginal and sexually transmitted
diseases.
Neem has a proven ability to prevent pregnancy. Neem oil has also been
shown to work well both before and after sex while some purified extracts
only worked before sex as a preventative. Neem oil appears to be the
most effective form of neem for birth control, particularly hexane extracted
neem oil. After a single injection of a minute amount of neem oil in
the uterine horns, a strong cell-mediated immune response reaction produced
a long term (up to 12 months) and reversible block in fertility. There
were no changes in menstrual cycles or ovarian function.
Neem oil has also been fount to prevent implantation and may even have
an abortifacient effect similar to pennyroyal, juniper berries, wild
ginger, myrrh and angelica. The effects were seen as many as ten days
after fertilization in rats though it was most effective at no more than
three days. In a study on rats, neem oil was given orally eight to ten
days after implantation of the fetus on the uterine wall. In all cases,
by day 15, the embryos were all completely resorbed by the body. The
animals regained fertility on the next cycle showing no physical problems.
Detailed study of the rats revealed increased levels of gamma interferon
in the uterus. The neem oil enhanced the local immune response in the
uterus. Post coital use of neem oil as birth control does not appear
to work by hormonal changes but produces changes in the organs that make
pregnancy no longer viable.
Years of study in India by some of the world's leading scientists resulted
in the development of a neem-based polyherbal vaginal cream that has
both spermicidal and anti-microbial action. The cream combines 25 percent
neem seed extracts from the soap nut and quinine hydrochloride. Based
on the success of these experiments, a neem-based contraceptive cream
was developed by a pharmaceutical company in India. Test of its effectiveness
showed that it compared favorably with the chemical-based foams and gels.
It was safer and easier to use. Caused no irritation or discomfort. Was
nearly 100% effective, and was therefore used more frequently than the
foam or gel spermicides. The effect does not appear to be hormonal and
is considered a safe and effective alternative to other methods that
use hormones.
The studies leading to the development of these products proved that
neem oil killed sperm in the vagina within thirty seconds and was effective
for up to five hours. Most spermicides creams must be reapplied at least
every hour. An important effect on neem oil used in the vagina is that
it seems to increase the antigen presenting ability of the uterine tract.
This activation of the local immune cell population has a direct spermicidal
effect without apparent side effect.
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