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Neem is a botanical cousin of mahogany. The Latin name of Neem - Azadirachta indica - is derived from the Persian:
Azad = Free
dirakht = Tree
i - Hind = of Indian Origin
which literally means:
The Free Tree of India.
Neem is an attractive broad-leaved, evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall. Its trunk usually straight and spreading branches form a rounded crown of deep-green leaves and honey-scented flowers.
Neem - the legendary medicinal tree of India- has been an integral part of the Indian way of life for centuries.
The Neem tree has been a friend and protector of the Indian villager. For ages Indians have trusted this tree to fortify their health and remedy scores of diseases. In addition, Neem has been used for protecting food and stored grains and as a fertilizer and natural pesticide for their crops. Neem trees have been used more than any other tree!
The Neem tree had many fascinating aspects. For the children this evergreen, attractive tree was a haven from sun and rain - they spent hours in its cooling shade, plucked the sweet ripe fruit for a snack and built tree houses, which they shared with butterflies, birds and bees. This tree was chosen because its shade is known to be cooler than any other tree. No bugs or insects are to be found under it because of its repellant action.
For the women, the neem was the mainstay of the herbal beauty tradition. It was also a source of medicine to treat more than a 100 health problems, from scratches and skin rashes to malaria and diabetes. Women also used it to protect their stored grains and pulses through the year.
For the men folk the tree provided seeds, leaves, and bark that could be converted into fertilizer and pest control material. The Neem tree also provided medicinal potions for their cattle and livestock. The breeze that blew through the boughs of the tree kept their homes cool through the summer and free of bacteria.
For centuries Indians planted this tree in the vicinity of their homes and practiced gentle and daily interaction with this extraordinary plant. For women in particular, the Neem proved an invaluable source of health, hygiene and beauty that was freely available. Having a bath with a decoction of neem leaves kept their skin supple and healthy. Neem leaf powder or crushed leaves incorporated into their face packs provided emollient and anti ageing action. The antiseptic properties of neem leaf extracts helped in controlling pimples and acne.
Neem oil was believed to prevent baldness and graying of hair and was used as anti-lice and anti-dandruff treatment. A teaspoon of dried neem leaf powder, mixed with the same quantity of ghee (clarified butter) and honey helped control skin allergies.
A mixture of equal quantities of neem seed powder, rock salt and alum was used for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Environmentally, Neem has a reputation as a natural air purifier, exhaling out oxygen and keeping the oxygen level in the atmosphere balanced. Neem's ability to withstand extreme heat and water pollution is well known. It also helps to improve fertility of the soil and to rehabilitate degraded wastelands.
The Neem tree can also play a vital role in controlling soil erosion, and preventing floods. But Neem is far more than a tough tree that grows vigorously in difficult sites. Among its many benefits, the one that is most unusual and immediately practical is the control of farm and household pests. Some entomologists now believe that Neem has such remarkable powers for controlling insects that it will usher in a new era in safe, natural pesticides.
If you are discovering Neem for the first time, here are some quick amazing Neem facts:
- The tree is known to cure more than ONE HUNDRED diseases.
- The word NEEM is derived from Sanskrit Nimba which means bestower of good health
- Neem is both a pest control material and as well as a fertilizer, making it an invaluable farm companion.
- Neem is currently one of the world’s most researched trees. It is a tree that can help solve global environmental and health concerns.
- Neem is an intelligent pest repellent - it affects only harmful pests and does not affect useful species in the farm!
- Neem has a four-pronged repellant action and complex molecular structure which ensures that pests don’t become immune to it.
- It gives more oxygen than other trees, making it a champion pollution fighter.
- Just sleeping under the shade of a neem tree is therapeutic.
- The tree is known to halt spreading deserts.
- Its leaf and its extract are a natural substance that don’t simply mask symptoms but encourage your body to heal itself.
- Neem is completely safe and causes no harm or side effects.
- It has been used as a health and beauty aid in India for more than 5000 years!
A world conference is held every three years to discuss the research and discoveries modern science is making, on this single tree. And there is a lot to show and tell!
As if all this wasn’t amazing enough, the Neem is a hardy tree that requires almost no water and grows happily on wastelands.
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