Azadirachta indica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Division:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Azadirachta
Binomial name
Azadirachta indica
Azadirachta indica

Neem is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is native to India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan. It grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions. It was also the state tree of Hyderabad Deccan.

Neem is a fast-growing tree in India that can reach up to 15–20 m (about 50–65 feet) tall, and sometimes even to 35–40 m (115–131 feet). It is evergreen. It is found in some major parts of Tamil nadu like tuticorin,tirunelveli ,etc.

Uses

[change | change source]

Products made from neem have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties. They are said to be antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative. Neem products are also used in selectively controlling pests in plants. Neem is considered a part of Ayurvedic medicine.[1][2][3]

Neem is also known as the' village pharmacy'. All parts of neem are used for preparing many different medicines, especially for skin disease.[4]

References

[change | change source]
  1. D.P. Agrawal (n.d.). "Medicinal properties of Neem: new findings".
  2. S. Zillur Rahman and M. Shamim Jairajpuri. Neem in Unani Medicine. Neem Research and Development Society of Pesticide Science, India, New Delhi, February 1993, p. 208-219. Edited by N.S. Randhawa and B.S. Parmar. 2nd revised edition (chapter 21), 1996
  3. Neem, WebMD.
  4. "Neem: India's tree of life". 17 April 2006 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  5. "Pesticides". www.hse.gov.uk.