Kids' health20 min
Neem Leaf Bath Water for Kids' Prickly Heat
A handful of neem leaves boiled, cooled and added to a child's bath water on hot, humid days, a traditional remedy for prickly heat and sweaty skin.
Using neem sensibly at home
Neem is the bitter tree whose leaves, twigs and oil appear in Indian homes for skin, scalp and teeth. It is mostly used on the outside; eating neem is kept to small, occasional amounts.
Prickly heat (ghamoriyan) happens when sweat ducts get blocked. Keeping the child cool, in loose cotton, is the main treatment. A lukewarm neem-leaf bath is a traditional, refreshing addition.
Ingredients
- A handful of fresh neem leaves
- 2 litres water
- Bath water
How to prepare
- Boil neem leaves for 10 minutes; cool completely and strain.
- Add to lukewarm bath water.
How to use
- Bathe the child once a day during hot spells.
- Pat dry and dress in loose cotton.
Helpful habits
- Use fresh green leaves; dry, yellow ones have little smell left.
Precautions
- Never give neem oil or neem water to drink. Keep out of the eyes. See a doctor for blisters with pus, fever or spreading rash.
- Never swallow neem oil, and never give it to children.
- Avoid eating neem in pregnancy or when trying to conceive.
- For babies and children under five, ask the paediatrician first.
- A home remedy, not a treatment. See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few days or get worse.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it for babies?
- Ask your paediatrician; for babies, a plain lukewarm bath is usually enough.
Should I use talcum powder?
- Avoid thick powder, which can block sweat ducts further.
Can neem be used every day?
- On the skin and scalp, a few times a week is usual; eating it daily is not advised.
