Neem
Neem suppliers and sourcing guide
Neem is Azadirachta indica, a fast-growing tree in the mahogany family (Meliaceae) native to the Indian subcontinent. Ingredient buyers use the leaf, sold dried and milled or as a water or hydroalcoholic extract, and the oil pressed from the seed kernels, which is used mainly in cosmetics and soaps. Leaf extracts are sold by extract ratio or standardized to bitters or polyphenols, and neem oil is sold cold pressed or refined.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Azadirachta indica · Melia azadirachta · margosa · Indian lilac
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of neem
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Leaf powder
Dried, milled neem leaf sold by mesh size without standardization.
Leaf extract
Water or hydroalcoholic leaf extract dried to a powder and sold by extract ratio or a declared bitters or polyphenol content.
Cold-pressed seed oil
Oil pressed from the seed kernel, with a strong odor, used in soaps, hair and skin care; sold with a stated azadirachtin or limonoid content in some grades.
Refined or deodorized oil
Seed oil refined to reduce color and odor for cosmetic formulas.
Organic
Leaf or oil from certified organic sources, with the certificate tied to the lot.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity
- HPTLC fingerprint or microscopy for leaf; fatty acid profile by GC for oil.
- Marker assay
- Azadirachtin or limonoids by HPLC for oil, or bitters or polyphenols for leaf extracts, by a named method.
- Oil quality
- Acid value, peroxide value and moisture for seed oil, which show hydrolysis and oxidation.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella. Raw powders carry more microbial load than extracts and are often steam treated.
- Aflatoxins
- Aflatoxins for seed oil and kernel-derived material, since stored neem seed can carry mold.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep leaf powder and extracts sealed in a cool, dry place away from light. Store neem oil in full, closed drums away from heat; it solidifies when cool and must be warmed gently and mixed before sampling. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Leaf marker levels and oil odor, color and limonoid content vary with origin and processing, so record grade, origin and key results for each lot. For oil, check acid and peroxide values on older lots before use.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Azadirachta indica (POL-NF-14942) lists the fruit as not novel in food supplements, and the leaves and the oil from the fruits as not yet authorised novel food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists Azadirachta indica, with common names including neem and margosa, as an approved herbal name.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Neem suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking neem suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell neem? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of neem can brands buy?
Common forms include leaf powder, leaf extract, cold-pressed seed oil, refined or deodorized oil and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for neem include?
Expect identity, marker assay, oil quality, heavy metals, microbiology and aflatoxins, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should neem be stored?
Keep leaf powder and extracts sealed in a cool, dry place away from light. Store neem oil in full, closed drums away from heat; it solidifies when cool and must be warmed gently and mixed before sampling. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of neem?
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Azadirachta indica (POL-NF-14942) lists the fruit as not novel in food supplements, and the leaves and the oil from the fruits as not yet authorised novel food. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists Azadirachta indica, with common names including neem and margosa, as an approved herbal name.
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