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Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems
Neem is a fascinating tree. It seems to be one of the most promising plants and may eventually benefit every person on the planet. Probably no other plant yields as many strange and varied products or has as many exploitable by-products. Indeed, as foreseen by some scientists, neem may usher in a new era of pest control, provide millions with inexpensive medicines, cut down the rate of human population growth, and perhaps even reduce erosion, deforestation, and the excessive temperature of an overheated globe.
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DOWNLOAD NOWNeem – A Green Treasure
Neem (Azadirachta indica) commonly called ‘Indian Lilac’ or ‘Margosa’, belongs to the family Meliaceae, subfamily Meloideae and tribe Melieae. Neem is the most versatile, multifarious trees of tropics, with immense potential. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, seed, gum, oil and neem cake are known to have antiallergenic, antidermatic, antifeedent, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antipyorrhoeic, antiscabic, cardiac, diuretic, insecticidal, larvicidal, nematicidal, spermicidal and other biological activities. Because of these activities neem has an enormous variety of applications.
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DOWNLOAD NOWThe Miraculous Neem
For thousands of years, humans have sought to fortify their health and cure various ills with herbal remedies. The search for a true panacea or cure-all has been undertaken by virtually every civilization. While hundreds of substances have been tried and tested, few have withstood modern scientific scrutiny. Perhaps no other botanical better meets the true definition of a panacea than Neem, a tropical evergreen primarily native to India and an Ayurveda herbal product.
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DOWNLOAD NOWThe Multifaceted Applications of Neem
The neem tree has been known from time immemorial for its versatile applications. It is known as ‘Arishata’ in Sanskrit which means “relieving sickness”. No other plant yields as many varied, valuable and exploitable products and by-products as this tree of the future! Neem may open a new era in pest management, provide inexpensive medicine for living beings, effectively control the threat of human population growth and play an important role in environmental protection.
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DOWNLOAD NOWHealth
The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has been recognized for its powerful health-promoting properties for millennia. In fact, there is evidence that as long as 4,500 years ago, neem was already being used to support healing. Its use originated in ancient India and neighboring countries, where it has long been revered as one of the most versatile plants known.
Cancer – Neem and its isolated compounds have proven effective against cancer cells including colon, stomach, lung, liver, skin, oral, prostate and breast. Anti-cancer practitioners are also trying to eliminate cancer cells by inducing apoptosis selectively in them, without affecting normal cells. In this regard, neem is an excellent choice as neem extracts as well as purified neem compounds have been shown to cause apoptosis in cancer cells.
Diabetes – Some studies have claimed that certain compounds of Azadirachta indica (Neem) could be of benefit in diabetes mellitus in controlling the blood sugar. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, neem may also prove helpful in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. In the journal Studies on Ethno-Medicine, neem leaf powder was found to control diabetic symptoms on non-insulin dependent male diabetics too.
Contraceptive – Use of Neem as either a pre or post coital contraceptive, noting that it prevented proliferation of sperm cells in concentrations as low as 0.05 to 1%. Purified extracts of Neem contained immunomodulators that stimulate the cells and macrophages that terminate pregnancies. Fertility was regained after one or two cycles with no apparent impact to future pregnancies.
Imuno Stimulatory Compound – Neem boosts both the lymphocytic and cell-mediated systems, including “Killer T” cells which are able to destroy microbes, viruses and cancer cells by injecting toxic chemicals into the invaders.
Agriculture
Biodegradable and non-toxic to mammals, azadirachtin, neem’s primary active ingredient, disrupts the growth cycle of insects and deters them from feeding on plants. A naturally occurring substance that belongs to an organic molecule class called tetranortriterpenoids, azadirachtin reduces their rate of reproduction and inhibits normal feeding behavior. As neem-based products must be ingested to take effect, only insects that feed on plant tissues are prone, thereby eliminating any risk towards pollinators and other beneficial species to our environment and food supply.
Cosmetics
Different parts of Neem tree are being used extensively in manufacturing of soaps, skin creams/lotions, shampoos, toothpastes, beauty aids and toiletries. The Neem twigs are more commonly being used as antiseptic tooth brushes. In most cases Neem oil/extract is being used for making these cosmetics like soaps and tooth pastes etc.
Food Storage
Storing foods has always been a race against time because of worms, beetles and other infestations. It is preferable not to use chemicals insecticides on stored grains in general and more specifically for food stored for human consumption. For centuries, Neem oil has provided farmers with an effective remedy against such insects. A very light coating of Neem oil protects stored food crops for up to 20 months from all types of infestations with no deterioration or loss of palatability. Neem fresh leaves are also used on small scale for storage of food grain at home quite effectively, but this is being done on a small scale.
J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2010, 2(1): 62-72