Neem has been used since antiquity as an insect repellent for both people and food crops. One compound (salannin) found in neem leaves, seeds and seed oil is a safer but more effective insect repellent than the widely used chemical ingredient called DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) currently found in most commercial repellents.

Neem extracts tested by the Malaria Institute were found to repel the mosquito that causes malaria for up to twelve hours. Neem provides protection from not only mosquitoes but also from biting flies, sand fleas and ticks. Because of neem's proven effectiveness insect repellents made with neem are being used in malaria prone tropical countries.

For those seeking a safe alternative to potentially dangerous synthetic repellents neem offers an attractive alternative for the following reasons:

• Neem oil is an excellent skin moisturizer while DEET is not recommended for repeated application to the skin, around the face or on the hands of small children.
• Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil while DEET is not recommended to be sprayed on furniture, plastics, watch crystals, leather and painted surfaces including automobiles. DEET may actually dissolve all synthetic fabrics but nylon.
• Neem oil has been used safely for centuries while DEET is a synthetic chemical that has only been used for a short time and may pose future unknown health risks.
• Neem is a healing herb that is famous for its wound healing properties. Cuts, scrapes and poison oak and ivy can be salved with neem oil lotions. DEET (a synthetic insect repellent) products contain warnings against getting them in open sores or on damaged skin.

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