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Buying Neem
Neem based products are becoming more widely available, but
for now are usually only found on the internet or in health
food and specialty stores. When shopping for neem,
there are a few things to look for- Method
Of Extraction The extraction process
that produces the highest quality neem seed oil is called
cold pressing. This is the oldest method of
extraction, and utilizes a mechanical device that squeezes
the oil from the dried seeds. Always opt for cold
pressed neem oil where possible.
Another extraction process uses steam and
high pressure. Though this method yields more oil than
cold pressing, many of the active compounds in the neem may
be destroyed from the extreme temperatures.
The third method, and the one that most processors use
because it yields the most oil from the seeds, is called
solvent extraction. The solvent used here is
usually hexane (white gasoline). The solvent also may
destroy many of the active compounds. Besides this and
other obvious reasons, it is best to obtain neem products
that do not contain solvent extracted neem oil.
Avoid Additives Many bath and
cosmetic products today contain chemical compounds to
enhance the products performance. At the same time,
some of these additives could actually cause adverse side
effects. Two common additives that are found in most
bath products today are Lauryl Sulfates and
Parabens.
Lauryl Sulfates are commonly used as
foamers, because they are inexpensive and work particularly
well. However, these chemicals are a known irritant.
In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration encourages
manufacturers not to use them. Parabens are
preservatives that are found in many cosmetics, and though
there has been no scientific evidence that they are harmful,
they are becoming increasingly controversial among some
organizations which adhere to the precautionary principle
and who object to their everyday use.
Certified Organic Ingredients Organic
ingredients are always preferred. Look for labels that
list certified organic ingredients. If a manufacturer
uses these ingredients, they will always state this selling
point on the label. |
