Simplest Neem Oil Extraction Guide

 

Photo credit: courtesy 

This article simply outlines how a local farmers in Kenya can make neem oil for local use at their capacity in various ways.

Here are the steps:

Identify a good seed source: Scout for healthy trees with healthy and mature seeds. Seeds shouldn't be infected with any disease or attacked by pests.

Harvest Neem Seeds: Collect ripe neem seeds from neem trees. Make sure they are fully mature and have a dark brown color.

Dry Seeds: Allow the collected seeds to dry thoroughly in the sun. This helps reduce moisture content and prevents fungal growth.

Extract Seeds: Remove the outer shell of the dried neem seeds to extract the kernels inside.

Drying Kernels: Sun-dry the neem kernels until they are completely dry.

Extract Oil: Grind or crush the dried neem kernels to create a coarse powder. This powder is then subjected to oil extraction using a cold-press or expeller-press method. The oil is extracted by applying pressure and without using heat to preserve its properties.

Filter : Filter the extracted oil to remove any solid particles or impurities.

Settle: Allow the filtered oil to settle in a clean container. This helps separate any water or remaining impurities from the oil. The clearer oil will rise to the top.

Bottle: Carefully transfer the clarified neem oil into clean, dark-colored bottles or containers. Seal them tightly to prevent air and light exposure, which can degrade the oil.

Store: Store the neem oil in a clean, dry, and dark container. Protect it from direct sunlight and heat to maintain its potency.

Usage: Neem oil can be used as a natural pesticide, insect repellent, and in various cosmetic and medicinal applications.

Remember, this is a simplified outline. The actual process may require specific equipment and techniques. Additionally, local regulations and best practices should be followed to ensure the safety and quality of the neem oil.

Why cold press? 

Cold pressing involves extracting oil from seeds or nuts without using heat. Here's a general overview of how you can cold press neem oil. It's important to note that cold pressing helps retain the natural flavor, color, and nutritional value of the oil. However, for neem oil, the process may vary based on the equipment available and the scale of production. Also, cold pressing may not yield as much oil as other methods like solvent extraction, but it's a more natural and eco-friendly approach. Always ensure that you follow proper safety precautions while operating the equipment and handling the oil.

Cold Pressing without presser or special machines 

You can press the seeds without any machine but with locally available material as a farmer

If you want to cold press neem seeds without using a machine and rely on locally available materials, you can try a traditional method known as "mortar and pestle" extraction. Here's a basic outline of how you could do this:

Materials Needed:

1. Neem seeds (cleaned and dried)
2. Mortar and pestle
3. Filter cloth or fine mesh
4. Clean containers for collecting oil
5. Muslin cloth or cheesecloth

Pressing 

Place a small batch of dried neem seeds in the mortar.Use the pestle to crush and grind the seeds into a coarse powder. Apply consistent pressure and keep grinding until you have a coarse consistency.

Oil Extraction:

Transfer the crushed neem seeds onto a clean piece of muslin cloth or filter cloth.

Fold the cloth around the crushed seeds to create a bundle.

Squeeze and press the bundle to extract the oil. You can do this by twisting and squeezing the cloth to apply pressure. The oil will seep out through the cloth.

Filtration:

Collect the oil that comes out of the cloth and allow it to settle in a clean container.

To further filter the oil and remove any remaining solids, you can strain it through a fine mesh or several layers of clean muslin cloth.

Settling and Storage:

Allow the filtered oil to sit and settle in the container. Water and any remaining impurities will separate from the oil and settle at the bottom.

Carefully pour off the clearer oil from the top and transfer it into clean, dark-colored bottles or containers.

Remember that this method may require some physical effort and may not yield a large quantity of oil compared to machine-based extraction methods. Additionally, the quality of the oil may vary based on the effectiveness of the manual extraction process. It's important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene throughout the process to ensure the quality and safety of the extracted neem oil.

To read about how to apply neem oil, click here