<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNative to India, the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica<\/em>) has been revered for its healing properties for thousands of years, so much so that it has been nicknamed 'the village pharmacy'. Today, this extraordinary plant has found another home in Garoua, Cameroon, where local women have made a speciality of it, turning the seeds into a versatile oil used in medicine, cosmetics and agriculture. In this article, we explore the secrets of traditional extraction, innovative uses and the social role of this product in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRenowned for its efficacy in the treatment of certain diseases and its use in the composition of antiseptic products, neem oil is appreciated by many people in Garoua.<\/strong> Women have made it a speciality.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNative to India, neem, nicknamed the 'tree of a thousand virtues<\/strong> is a natural product whose properties differ in its use. Its fruits harvested in the dry season are used to produce vegetable oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the city of Garoua, neem oil<\/strong> is recognised and appreciated by many for its many health benefits. It is also used in the composition of cream lotions, shampoos, lice and mosquitoes. \"For example, it treats stomach pains in children. It also heals wounds and even fights ringworm. Neem oil treats scabies, itchiness and makes the skin smooth', says Hamadou, a healer. says Hamadou, a traditional healer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause of its strong odour, the consumption of neem oil is not trivial. Hence the need to observe the dosage and, if necessary, dilute it in another oil: 'We can take a spoonful of neem oil on an empty stomach in the morning and before bedtime to treat stomach pains,' Hamadou says again.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>1. Neem Oil Extraction: An Art Handed Down by the Women of Garoua<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/span>The Traditional Method of Marthe Pabam\u00e9<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nMarthe Pabam\u00e9, a housewife from Garoua, shares her centuries-old technique:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSeed selection and preparation<\/strong>: Neem fruits, harvested in the dry season, are shelled and sieved to remove impurities.<\/li>\n\n\n\nDrying<\/strong>: The seeds are exposed to the sun to reduce moisture, a crucial step in ensuring good storage.<\/li>\n\n\n\nPressing<\/strong>: Using a traditional grinding machine, the seeds are crushed. The resulting paste is mixed with lukewarm water to facilitate the separation of the oil, which comes out after careful manual kneading.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhy does it cost 8000 francs per litre?<\/strong> The process requires time, skill and a large quantity of seeds: to produce 1 litre of oil, about 50 kg of fruit are needed 1. Marthe points out that local demand is growing, thanks to awareness of the product's benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Comparison with Industrial Methods<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhile cold pressing is preferred on an industrial level to preserve the active ingredients, an artisanal approach is kept alive in Garoua that valorises local knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/span>2. Health Benefits: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Science<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Community Approved Therapeutic Uses<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nHamadou, a traditional healer from Garoua, explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDigestive problems<\/strong>: A tablespoon of oil on an empty stomach relieves stomach pains, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\nWound care<\/strong>Applied topically, it accelerates healing and prevents infection by exploiting its antibacterial action.<\/li>\n\n\n\nSkin diseases<\/strong>Treats ringworm, scabies and psoriasis, reducing itching and scaling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Scientific Support<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nStudies confirm that Neem oil contains\u00a0azadirachtin<\/strong>, a compound with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, and fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic, which moisturise the skin. In addition, its effectiveness against fungi and bacteria makes it a natural remedy for skin infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n<\/span>3. Neem Oil in Cosmetics: Natural Beauty in Garoua<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/span>From Hair to Skin: An Elixir of Youth<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe women of Garoua incorporate Neem oil into homemade beauty products:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAnti-dandruff shampoo<\/strong>Added to shampoo, it fights dandruff and strengthens hair.<\/li>\n\n\n\nMoisturising lotions<\/strong>Blended with shea butter, it prevents wrinkles and treats acne.<\/li>\n\n\n\nAntiseptic soaps<\/strong>Used in saponification, it creates soaps that purify the skin without drying it out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Local testimonies<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\"After using Neem oil, my hair is shinier and my scalp is no longer itchy,\" says Amina, a young woman from Garoua.<\/p>\n\n\n
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