| When
the Deva (Gods) and the Asura (Demons) churned the Milky Ocean, Lord
Indra appeared with a pot of Amritha (ambrosia/nectar). A few drops of this ambrosia
dropped on the Earth and from these drops was born the Neem tree. It has been
revered in our tradition, as Sarva Roga Nivarani the cure for all
diseases. The Persian Name for the Neem of India is Azad-Darakth or
the Free Tree. The Indian people have for millennia used this tree
in agriculture, public health, medicine, toiletries, cosmetics and livestock protection.
The tree is considered so invaluable that it is found in every part of the country,
every roadside, every field.
The
Neem tree is indigenous to India. Indians have revered the neem
tree for a very long time. To millions of Indians neem has miraculous
powers. For centuries people of India have used neem twigs for
cleaning their teeth, treating skin infection with neem leaf juice,
used it a tonic and kept away bugs with different neem extracts.
It also formed part of several rituals. The tree has been used
in curing so many ailments that it has been called the village
pharmacy.
International
Interest Top
Modern
agriculture uses 2 to 5 Kgs. of toxicants per acre every year, polluting the Bio-sphere
continuously. Realising this danger and appreciating the need to protect the crop
with safer products, crop researchers are looking for alternatives based on Botanicals,
which are ideally suited to the task. Following
are the comments from scientists who have evaluated Neem extractives. They will
be sufficient proof of the tremendous interest evinced by the scientific community
in Neem. Martin
Jacobson of United States Dept. of Agricultural Research Centre in Beltsville,
Madison, USA comments, Formulation of extracts of Neem are highly effective
against at least 128 species of crop pests including Gypsy moth, Aphids, Tobacco
budworm, Japanese beetle and Boll weevil Dr.
S. E. Reynolds and K. D. Wing of University of Bath, U. K., have done work on
Neem tree products and have discovered that, Triterpenoid from Neem tree
inhibits feeding, disrupts ecdysis in Meduca caterpillar. The terpenoid, Azadirachtin,
is a powerful growth regulator of insect pests and an ideal tool to thwart their
growth and reproduction. Dr.
H. Rambold and H. Farster of Max Planck Institute of West Germany have isolated
Azadirachtin from Neem (Azadirachtin indica). The substance was found to inhibit
egg development and prevent moulting. Habit
& Occurrence Top
The
Indian subcontinent has nearly eighteen million neem trees. Neem grows to a height
of about 20 metres and a girth of 2.5 metres. It grows well on dry, stony, clayey
and saline soils. It can withstand severe drought. A
neem tree normally starts fruiting after 3-5 years. In about 10 years it becomes
fully productive. From the tenth year onwards it can produce upto fifty kilograms
of fruits annually. Its life span is about two centuries. If
one observes the Neem tree, it can be seen that it is virtually free of Insects
and Nematodes, due to natural substances present in the leaves, roots and kernel.
The whole tree is bestowed by nature with an ultimate resistance system which
always effectively repels and starves insects and nematodes. Neem
In Medicine Neem
has been an indispensable part of our home remedies for ages. Neem has always
been & still is a crucial, component of home remedies. Even the shade of the
neem tree is held to be very healthy and it is routinely recommended for planting
in front of houses. In fact it is a common custom in South India that when the
mother leaves a baby unattended, she leaves a small twig of neem leaves near the
baby for protection! Some people are in the habit of chewing a few tender neem
leaves in the mornings on an empty stomach either occasionally or even daily.
Building
Immunity: Chewing of 8-10 neem leaves early in the morning for twenty-four
days protects the body from diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The body
also becomes immune to skin problems by this medication. Toothpaste:
Neem is widely used as a dentrifice in India. Neem twigs are uses as a disposable
germicidal toothbrush in the villages. A mixture of powder of neem seeds (10 gms),
rock salt (10gms) and alum (10gms) , mixed well can be used as a tooth powder
for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Hair
care: A decoction prepared of the leaves of neem is used as a head wash to
remove premature greying of hair, hair loss, lice infestation and dandruff. Stomatitis:
For infantile stomatits 10-15 dry neem leaves along with 5 gms of pippali (long
pepper) and honey should be ground and applied on the tongue. Worms:
The juice of neem leaves (10 ml) along with honey and asafoetida powder (5 gms)
removes intestinal worms in children. Urinary
stones: Ash is prepared by burning the dry neem leaves in an earthen pot.
The ash is mixed well with water and allowed to stand still for 24 hours. The
sediment is used as kshara after filtering the water. The Kshara (ash) of neem
leaves (50 gms) taken with warm water every day in the morning removes urinary
stones. Piles:
Four seeds of neem powdered and mixed with warm water and taken as a drink on
empty stomach for a week stops bleeding in piles. Pruritis:
Juice of neem leaves when applied on the groin and anal region removes pruritis
in children. Dysmenorrhoea:
Juice of neem leaves (15 ml) and ginger juice (15 ml) mixed well and taken internally
cures painful menstruation. Post
delivery care: To bring back the structure and functioning of uterus after
delivery, one ounce (30 ml) of juice of neem leaves should be taken for 27 days
in the morning on an empty stomach. Skin
care: Neem is a widely used skin antiseptic used for several skin ailments.
It is also an emollient and astringent. Ayurveda suggests for internal consumption:
one teaspoon full of dry neem leaf powder, same quantity of butter and dry gooseberry
powder mixed with sufficient quantity of honey for allergic skin affliction. Psoriasis:
The ash of dry neem leaves mixed with butter and applied on the skin is beneficial
in skin diseases such as psoriasis. Top Chicken
pox: Neem leaves are used to soothe the patient and prevent further spreading
of the virus during the course of the infection. The patient is given a bath with
water in which neem leaves are soaked, as a post-treatment care. Measles:
A pill prepared of tender neem leaves, Yasti (liquorice) powder (20 gms each)
and administered along with warm water is beneficial in measles. Mosquito
Repellant: A lotion based on neem, coconut and citronella oils can be an effective
repellant. Neem
is also useful in burns, eczema, worms, gingivitis, diabetes, rheumatism and scrofula.
Neem
in Pest Management Neem
is the finest combination of versatility, safety and long-term efficacy in Pest
control available today. Refer NEEM EC for more details. Neem
in Fertilizer Management Neem is an excellent Urea Coating Agent (Refer
NEEM UCA) and is also used as a Soil Conditioner (EXONA Conditioner)
Neem-Based
Products Top
Ingredients
| | Neem
Seed | | | OilNeem
Leaf Dry Extract | | | Neem
Seed Extract (Azadirachtin Technical Powder) |
Finished Products
| | Neem
Toothpaste | | | Neem
Body SoapNeem Soap for Pets | | | Neem
Cream |
Bio Inputs for Agriculture
| | Neem
EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) | | | Neem
UCA (Urea Coating Agent) | | | EXONA
Conditioner |
|