Neem Tree
Botanical Name of Neem: Azadirachta
indica. Acknowledging the importance of the Neem tree "NEEM" - A Tree for
Solving Global Problems". Native to India and Burma, Neem is a botanical cousin
of mahogany. The Neem tree is tall and spreading like an oak and bears masses of
honey-scented white flowers which are locust-shaped. Neem complex foliage
resembles that of walnut or ash, and Neem swollen fruits look much like olives.
Neem is seldom leafless and the shade it imparts throughout the year is a major
reason why it is prized in India . The subcontinent contains an estimated 18
million Neem trees, most of them lined along roadsides or clustered around
markets and backyards to provide relief from the sun.
Neem is a mature and organized industry in India with a well-laid out system of
collection, processing and marketing. In the last couple of years, products made
out of Neem are gaining greater acceptance in certified organic farming.
Neem has been introduced into cultivation over wide areas of Asia, Africa, the
Americas, Australia and the islands of the south Pacific. It is present mainly
in the drier (arid) tropical and subtropical zones. Mountainous areas are
generally avoided.
Benefits of Neem:
The beneficial properties of the neem tree have been part of Indian folklore for
thousands of years. Dubbed 'the village pharmacy',Neem has numerous
medicinal properties, aiding conditions ranging from digestive disorders to
diabetes and from high cholesterol to cancer. To this day, neem twigs are used
for brushing teeth in India--perhaps one of the earliest and most effective
forms of dental care.
In some
parts of Sub-Saharan Africa the bark is used as both toothbrush and toothpaste,
and for treating malaria. For many of the medicinal properties mentioned, no
scientific data exists, but the fame is based on traditional knowledge (Ayurvedic
medicine) or anecdotal stories. All parts of the tree (seeds, leaves, flowers
and bark) are used for preparing many different medical preparation and neem oil
is also used for preparing cosmetics (soap, shampoo, balms and creams) Besides
its use in traditional Indian medicine the neem tree is of great importance for
its anti-desertification properties and possibly as a good carbon dioxide sink.
Of primary interest to research scientists is Neem activity as an insecticide.
Many of the tree's secondary metabolites have biological activity, but
azadirachtin is considered to be of the most ecological importance. Studies have
shown a wide spectrum of activity and species affected. Neem acts by breaking
the insect's lifecycle. Research has increased in the past few years as the
desire for safer pest control methods increases and it becomes apparent that
this tree will be able to play a role in integrated pest management systems.
Neem is deemed very effective in the treatment of scabies although only
preliminary scientific proof exists which still has to be corroborated, and is
recommended for those who are sensitive to permethrin, a known insecticide which
might be irritant. Also, the scabies mite has yet to become resistant to neem,
so in persistent cases neem has been shown to be very effective. There is also
anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness in treating infestations of head lice in
humans. |
