Neem tree
The neem tree is a large genus of the plant family Myrtaceae, comprising over 300 species in tropical regions. Though neem has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Western medicine has recently taken note of this useful plant.
Neem tree Description
The neem tree has large clusters of large creamy white to pink to orange-red flowers. Each flower is surrounded by numerous tiny, dark green leaves. The fruit, commonly called neem fruit or neem kernel, is usually the size of a golf ball. This fruit has many black and blue seeds that can be ingested by animals and can be ground into a coarse powder and used as a natural pesticide. The neem tree can grow up to tall. It is the only member of the genus and the only genus in the family Myrtaceae to produce fruit.
Neem oil
Neem oil (also called azadirachtin) is an insecticidal compound extracted from the seeds of the neem tree. In neem, the oil is obtained from the roasted seed meal. The plant contains various triterpenes (isomeric mixture of three isoprene units) including azadirachtin (50–90% of the weight of neem seeds), which acts as a deterrent to insects. Neem oil has been extensively researched and applied as an insecticide on mango trees, cotton, rice, bermudagrass, wheat, oats, and on a variety of other plants in various countries for more than 50 years.
Neem tree scientific name
Scientific names :
A. India
Common names :
Neem
The Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is a tree in the mahogany nation Meliaceae. It is a native of tropical countries, including India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Neem trees, the only species of the genus Azadirachta, grow up to 25 meters (85 feet) tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm (16 inches) in diameter. The leaves are alternate, compound, lanceolate, oblong, acuminate, 6-15 cm (2-6 inches) long, 3-11 mm (0.12-0.46 inches) wide, and have three lobes.
Benefits of neem tree
This article provides information on how neem trees are used for the treatment and prevention of different diseases in humans and animals.
Neem trees contain compounds known as sesquiterpene lactones (STLs). Some of these compounds are antimicrobial agents. For example, the terpene compound thymol is a constituent of neem tree leaves. Thymol is used in many skin and throat conditions to eliminate viruses and bacteria. Neem is known to be a useful product against viruses and bacterial infections. Moreover, neem oil is used to maintain the health of the hair and skin. Because neem oil is rich in thymol, it is useful in fighting bacterial and fungal infections.
Also Read: About Banyan Tree and Benefits
The chemical properties of neem seeds have other uses.
- Preliminary research conducted by scientists from the University of Maryland suggests that neem oil can also be used to prevent malaria. This oil is a powerful treatment for other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and yellow fever. For these diseases, neem oil is more effective than other drugs.
- Neem trees provide a wide range of benefits
- Researchers have found that neem trees can help to eliminate mosquitoes and other types of insects.
- Neem tree is an effective insecticide
- Neem trees are good for killing pests such as mosquitoes, lice, and fleas. One of the main chemical compounds in neem trees that kills insects is known as thymol. This chemical compound destroys the digestive system of pests.
- Neem trees help to control insects such as mosquitoes
- Although neem oil is powerful and can control pests such as mosquitoes, neem trees themselves do not do well in areas with extremely cold weather. Because of this, farmers must find a way to plant them in the warmer areas of the world.
- Neem oil also comes from neem tree bark
- Neem oil is also produced from the leaves, bark, and roots of neem trees. Even though neem tree bark is less potent than neem seeds, it is still an effective and useful product.
What are the health benefits of neem oil?
Most people do not know how beneficial neem oil is. It is one of the healthiest oils usable. Here is more information on the health benefits of neem oil.
Anti-inflammatory
Neem oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help to improve skin and scalp conditions. Its anti-inflammatory property helps to soothe inflammation of the skin, reduce itching, and decrease bleeding.
Anti-bacterial
It is also anti-bacterial. Neem oil is known to kill bacteria such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. By killing the bacteria, neem oil reduces the risk of getting a cold, reducing the chance of getting an infection, and even reducing the chances of getting strep throat.
Neem oil works as an insect repellent
It has been found that neem oil, especially seed oil is an effective insect repellent. As insects tend to avoid this oil, they tend to stay away from the area where they are found. This is especially useful during times when mosquitoes are swarming.
Anti-parasitic
It is also useful in treating parasites. Parasites such as intestinal worms and trichinella are killed by neem oil. It can also kill fleas, which can be extremely problematic in treating and preventing flea allergies.
Neem oil is also known to be effective against fungus, which is found on the skin, in the skin creases, and the mouth.
Neem oil is an effective hair conditioner
Neem oil can be used as a conditioner. If neem oil is applied to the scalp, hair will shine and look healthier. It works by promoting blood circulation in the scalp.
Neem oil works as a sunscreen
Neem oil is a natural sunscreen. If neem oil is applied to the skin, it will protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. It will also help prevent some common skin conditions. The most common problem that neem oil helps with is sunburn. Other problems that neem oil helps prevent include wrinkles and dark spots on the skin.
Medicinal uses of neem
(Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and potential role in cancer management. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in developed and developing countries. With the advent of targeted therapies, cancer treatment has evolved to include a multimodal approach. Thus, it is essential to develop new effective drugs from plants or natural products. With the increasing incidence of cancers and the limited number of therapeutic options, medicinal plants can be considered important sources for drug discovery. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for various ailments, including cancer. Based on its potential in fighting various types of cancer, medicinal uses of neem were reviewed. Research data on the biological activities and the molecular mechanisms involved in the antineoplastic properties of neem are also discussed. This review discusses the mechanisms of anti-cancer activity of neem and focuses on the mechanisms involved in the induction of apoptosis and anti-proliferation, the inhibition of cell cycle and cell growth, the modification of DNA, and the effects on the expression of genes involved in anti-cancer treatment. Neem extract and its constituents possess significant anti-cancer activities including anti-proliferation, pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic, anti-proliferative, and anti-metastatic activities. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) is an excellent plant that could be used as a potential natural source of drug development for fighting cancer.
Neem tea benefits and uses
- Nematode diseases
- In the Indian traditional system of medicine, there are diseases caused by specific parasites. They are known as nematode diseases. They are characterized by various degrees of symptoms and signs. The causes for these are the parasitic nematodes. They do not occur naturally in plants or vegetables, therefore they live with the animals that can pass them on to us. This happens when these nematodes penetrate the body, by eating the food that is eaten. These nematodes can cause serious illnesses in the human body. We know that we don’t have immunity against any disease that comes in the way of the human body. So there are certain ways to prevent them and kill them. One of these ways is by taking good care of our health, by giving time for our immune system to work with us. So certain herbs can help us to keep ourselves healthy and protected from these diseases.
- The use of tea in the Indian traditional system of medicine
- The tea that we make in our homes and kitchens is known as the Indian traditional method of treatment. Here, we make use of herbs to prepare tea for use as a drug. These herbs are made into a powder or into a liquid to treat different kinds of illnesses. Here are the most common herbal tea formulations that can be prepared from herbs.
- Gauze for internal use – We make use of the leaves of an herb called ‘kalmegh’ for this. It is usually made into a paste that is applied to the affected area of the body. It should be applied externally and not used internally. If we do so, it will not work for us.
- Gauze for external use – We make use of the leaves of an herb called ‘shoolanee’ to prepare this. Here, the leaves are chopped and powdered and are mixed with the juice of a plant called ‘kachroo’. This is then applied to the affected area of the body. The juice should be taken internally. This method works better than the above one.
- Cough tea – This one is prepared with the help of the ‘kutki’ herb and is known as cough tea. This tea should be taken internally after having it five to six times a day, preferably at night before going to sleep. It is also considered one of the best ways to cure cough.
- Tea for colds and other respiratory illnesses – This one is prepared with the help of ‘kutki’ and is known as the ‘neem’ tea. It is best taken with honey.
- Toothache remedy – This one is made with the help of leaves of ‘shoolanee’ herb and is known as the toothache remedy. It should be taken internally after having it for seven to eight times a day.
- Cold and flu relief – This one is prepared with the help of the leaf of the ‘kutki’ herb and is known as the ‘neem’ tea. It should be taken internally after having it for seven to eight times a day.
- Pain relief – This one is prepared with the help of the ‘kutki’ herb and is known as the ‘shoolanee’ tea. It should be taken internally after having it for seven to eight times a day.
- Fever remedy – This one is prepared with the help of ‘kutki’ and is known as the ‘neem’ tea. It should be taken internally after having it for seven to eight times a day.
- To maintain a healthier lifestyle and live a healthier life, there is one such herbal remedy that is always considered useful and helpful. It is the use of the lemon that is found to be good for the health. There are several benefits of using this amazing remedy in your lifestyle.
- Eliminating the toxins from your body
History of neem
The neem tree was originally known as the Indian gooseberry or Indian berry and was used by Ayurvedic and Tibetan traditional doctors in treating various diseases. The word "neem" comes from the Sanskrit word nim, meaning "instrument, implement".
The neem tree, with its yellow flowers and round fruit, has been widely used in Ayurveda since the time of the ancient Sanskrit medical text Charaka Samhita, which was written sometime in the first millennium BCE.
Etymology
The neem tree is also known by many other names:
"Kumkuma" in Karnataka
"Alukku" in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore
"Akku" in Maharashtra
"Achakay" in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh
"Achakay" in Kannada
"Kumkuma" in West Bengal
"Metal" in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
"Nimba" in Kerala
"Kumkuma" in Telangana