Neem Definition

What is Neem?

Neem, also called Azadirachta indica is an aboriginal tree found in tropical and semi-tropical countries like Burma and India; Neem has been declared non-toxic to humans and each part of the tree is used as an active ingredient in different industries. Neem tree has been given its due recognition, with a number of researches being conducted on an international level to understand the benefits and potential of neem. Today neem is used on a commercial basis and finds immense use in a number of products in industries ranging from cosmetics to agriculture, from pharmaceuticals to Ayurveda.

About Neem - Neem Definition & Brief Introduction

Family: Mahogany
Botanical Name: Azadirachta indica

Varied Names: Neem (Hindi, Urdu and Bengali), Nimm (Punjabi), Arya Veppu (Malayalam), Azad Dirakht (Persian), DogonYaro (in some Nigerian languages), Nimba (Sanskrit and Marathi), Margosa, Neeb (Arabic), Nimtree, Vepu, Vempu, Vepa (Telugu), Bevu (Kannada), Kohomba (Sinhala), Tamar (Burmese), Vembu (Tamil), Paraiso (Spanish), and Indian Lilac (English)

Neem Uses: Neem is known as the Wonder Tree for its multiple uses. Neem leaves, oil, and neem extracts are used to produce a wide range of medicinal and beauty care products. Neem oil has insecticidal and medicinal properties due to which it has been used in pest control, cosmetics, medicines, etc. Neem leaves have anti-bacterial properties which help in treating skin problems. Neem leaves are also used in storage of grains. Twigs of neem are used as toothbrushes. Neem produces pain relieving, fever reducing and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help in the healing of burns, cuts, earaches, fevers, headaches and sprains. Neem bark and roots in powdered form help in controlling fleas and ticks on pets. Neem extracts also help in treating diabetes, heart disease, AIDS, cancer, hepatitis, ulcers, and several other diseases.

Neem Products: Neem Seed Cake, Neem Oil, Powder, Soap, Hair & Skin Products, Medicines, Oral Hygiene Products, Neem Repellent, Neem Coir, Neem Gel, Neem Tea, Neem Spray, Candles, Incense Sticks, Neem Fertilizer, Insecticide and many more...

Neem History

Neem tree is native to India and Mynammar. Neem history dates back to Harappa Mohenjo-Daro civilizations in India where the medicinal properties and its use in household things began.

India was number one in importing the medicine. When Julius Caesar established the Roman Empire, a public complaint was issued by Pliny the Elder against the volume of export and drainage of Roman gold to India owing to this. So when the early explorers came to India for trade, they complied all the Indian medicines and brought back to their countries. This included neem in abundant.

Hen with the advent of British empire in India all the local things were being discouraged and were named as backward. So with this practices like use of neem as insecticide, use of neem leaves to protect crops etc were discouraged. More modern chemicals replaced the old traditions of India including the medicinal plants and other products.

But the in 1920s commercial use of Neem oil and neem cake was done by the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. For an experiment neem cakes were used in sugarcane fields and it really worked as it had kept the termites at bay.

Parts of Neem used

• Neem Seed
• Neem Leaf
• Neem Bark
• Neem Fruit
• Neem Twig
• Neem Root
• Neem Kernel

Form of Neem Used in Industries

• Raw Neem - has been used by households and industries for a number of uses.
• Neem Extract - Part of neem tree like leaf, seed or bark is either soaked in water or organic solvents and alcohol to get the concentrated compounds.
• Neem Finished Products - Neem is used in a number of products the world over in the form of pesticides, insecticides, manure, cosmetics, hair lotions and oils, toothpastes and tooth powders, incense sticks and mostly, it is widely used to manufacture a number of traditional and modern medicines. Ayurveda and Unani system of medicines makes use of neem for a quite a few of medicinal preparations.

Medicinal Properties of Neem Tree

Neem is used to manufacture a number of natural medicines, which do not have any side effects unlike modern medicinal systems like allopathy.

• Antiseptic
• Anti Pyretic
• Anti Inflammatory
• Anti Bacterial
• Anti Viral
• Anti Fungal
• Anti Parasitic