Neem
Neem also known as Azadirachta indica, Nimtree, and Indian Lilac is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India and the Indian subcontinent including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It is typically grown in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Neem trees now also grow in islands located in the southern part of Iran. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil
Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 metres (49–66 ft), and rarely 35–40 metres (115–131 ft). It is evergreen, but in severe drought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves. The branches are wide and spreading. The fairly dense crown is roundish and may reach a diameter of 15–20 metres (49–66 ft) in old, free-standing specimens. The neem tree is very similar in appearance to its relative, the Chinaberry (Melia azedarach).
The opposite, pinnate leaves are 20–40 centimetres (7.9–15.7 in) long, with 20 to 31 medium to dark green leaflets about 3–8 centimetres (1.2–3.1 in) long. The terminal leaflet is often missing. The petioles are short.
The (white and fragrant) flowers are arranged in more-or-less drooping axillary panicles which are up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long. The inflorescences, which branch up to the third degree, bear from 150 to 250 flowers. An individual flower is 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) long and 8–11 millimetres (0.31–0.43 in) wide. Protandrous, bisexual flowers and male flowers exist on the same individual tree.
The fruit is a smooth (glabrous), olive-like drupe which varies in shape from elongate oval to nearly roundish, and when ripe is 1.4–2.8 centimetres (0.55–1.10 in) by 1.0–1.5 centimetres (0.39–0.59 in). The fruit skin (exocarp) is thin and the bitter-sweet pulp (mesocarp) is yellowish-white and very fibrous. The mesocarp is 0.3–0.5 centimetres (0.12–0.20 in) thick. The white, hard inner shell (endocarp) of the fruit encloses one, rarely two or three, elongated seeds (kernels) having a brown seed coat.
Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem (Azadirachta indica), an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics. It is the most important of the commercially available products of neem for organic farming and medicines.
Neem oil varies in color; it can be golden yellow, yellowish brown, reddish brown, dark brown, greenish brown, or bright red. It has a rather strong odor that is said to combine the odours of peanut and garlic. It is composed mainly of triglycerides and contains many triterpenoid compounds, which are responsible for the bitter taste. It is hydrophobic in nature; in order to emulsify it in water for application purposes, it must be formulated with appropriate surfactants.
Azadirachtin is the most well known and studied triterpenoid in neem oil. The azadirachtin content of neem oil varies from 300ppm to over 2500ppm depending on the extraction technology and quality of the neem seeds crushed. Nimbin is another triterpenoid which has been credited with some of neem oil's properties as an antiseptic, antifungal, antipyretic and antihistamine. Neem oil also contains several sterols, including (campesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol).
Neem oil is not used for cooking purposes. In India, it is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, hair products, body hygiene creams, hand creams) and in Ayurvedic, Unani and folklore traditional medicine, in the treatment of a wide range of afflictions. The most frequently reported indications in ancient Ayurvedic writings are skin diseases, inflammations and fevers, and more recently rheumatic disorders, insect repellent and insecticide effects.
Traditional Ayurvedic uses of neem include the treatment of acne, fever, leprosy, malaria, ophthalmia and tuberculosis. Various folk remedies for neem include use as an anthelmintic, antifeedant, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, contraceptive, febrifuge, parasiticide, pediculocide and insecticide. It has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of tetanus, urticaria, eczema, scrofula and erysipelas. Traditional routes of administration of neem extracts included oral, vaginal and topical use. Neem oil has an extensive history of human use in India and surrounding regions for a variety of therapeutic purposes. Puri (1999) has given an account of traditional uses and therapeutic indications and pharmacological studies of this oil, in his book on neem.
Names for this plant in various languages include;
- Arabic - Neeb, Azad-darakhul-hind, Shajarat Alnnim
- Assamese - Neem
- Bengali - Nim
- English - Margosa, Neem Tree
- French - Azadirac de l'Inde, margosier, margousier
- German - Indischer zedrach, Grossblaettiger zedrach
- Gujarati - Dhanujhada, Limbda
- Hausa - Darbejiya, Dogonyaro, Bedi
- Hindi - Neem
- Kannada - Bevu
- Kiswahili - Muarubaini
- Malay - Mambu
- Malayalam - Ariyaveppu
- Manipuri - Neem
- Marathi - Kadunimba
- Myanmar - Burma- Tamar
- Nepal - Neem
- Persian - Azad Darakth e hind, neeb, nib
- Portuguese - Nimbo, Margosa, Amargoseira
- Punjabi - Nimm
- Sanskrit - Arishta, Pakvakrita, Nimbaka
- Sinhala - Kohomba
- Somali - Geed Hindi
- Tamil - Veppai, Sengumaru
- Telugu - Vepa
- Thai - Sadao
- tulu-besappu
- Urdu - Neem
As a vegetable
Neem is used in parts of mainland Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia aka sdov Laos (where it is called kadao), Thailand (where it is known as sadao or sdao), Myanmar (where it is known as tamar) and Vietnam (where it is known as sầu đâu and is used to cook the salad gỏi sầu đâu). Even lightly cooked, the flavour is quite bitter and the food is not enjoyed by all inhabitants of these nations, though it is believed to be good for one's health. Neem gum is a rich source of protein. In Myanmar, young neem leaves and flower buds are boiled with tamarind fruit to soften its bitterness and eaten as a vegetable. Pickled neem leaves are also eaten with tomato and fish paste sauce in Myanmar.The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable in India. A souplike dish called Veppampoo charu (Tamil) (translated as "neem flower rasam") made of the flower of neem is prepared in Tamil Nadu. In West Bengal, young neem leaves are fried in oil with tiny pieces of eggplant (brinjal). The dish is called nim begun and is the first item during a Bengali meal that acts as an appetizer. It is eaten with rice.
Benefits
1.Neem is used in vitiated pitta conditions, hyperdipsia, leprosy, skin diseases, eczema, leucoderma, pruritus, intermittent fever, wounds, and ulcers, burning sensation, tumors, lymph tuberculosis, anorexia, vomiting, dyspepsia, intestinal worms, liver, cough, bronchitis, inflammation and fatigue.
2.Neem products have medicinal properties that have proven to be anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and sedatives and anti-fertility.
3. Patients suffering from chickenpox are recommended to sleep on Neem leaves.
Are known to neutralize more than 500 worldwide pests, including insects, mites, ticks and nematodes, affecting their behaviour and physiology.
Are known to neutralize more than 500 worldwide pests, including insects, mites, ticks and nematodes, affecting their behaviour and physiology.
4. Neem tree Gum is used as a bulking agent to prepare special food for diabetics. Its branches are used for cleaning teeth.
5. Neem oil is used for the preparation of cosmetics such as creams, shampoo, soap, balms, etc. which are useful for treatment of acne, to maintain skin elasticity, and skin care.
6. Neem leaf extract is useful in the treatment of malaria and blood purification.
7. A decoction can be prepared from the roots of the Neem tree and is taken to relieve fever.
The paste of Neem leaves is applied on the skin to treat acne.
The paste of Neem leaves is applied on the skin to treat acne.
8. Neem leaves are added to the bath to help the skin to maintain perfect condition, the leaf extract have an anti-bacterial properties and regular use can cure many types of skin diseases.
9. Neem helps prevent hemorrhoids by helping the body rid itself of waste and prevent constipation (which is probably one of the leading cause’s particular of hemorrhoids). If applied topically to external hemorrhoids, which will soften and help to manage bleeding and itching. Thanks to its soothing properties of anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and pain.
10. The crushed leaves of Neem are applied to lacerated wounds, because of its antiseptic properties, along with its power to promote healthy granulation tissue and scar healing.