Azadirachta indica 1

Azadirachta indica

Neem

Azadirachta indica, flowers & leaves

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Order: Sapindales Family: Meliaceae Genus: Azadirachta

Species: A. indica

Binomial name

Azadirachta indica

Synonyms

Melia azadirachta L.Antelaea azadirachta (L.) Adelb.

Azadirachta indica (Neem) is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genusAzadirachta, and is native to Indian Subcontinent, growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Other vernacularnames include Neem (Hindi, Nepali, Urdu), Nim ((Bengali)), Nimm (Punjabi), Arya Veppu (Malayalam), AzadDirakht (Persian), Nimba (Sanskrit, Oriya), Limdo (Gujarati language) Kadu-Limba (Marathi), Dongoyaro (in someNigerian languages), Margosa, Neeb (Arabic), Nimtree, Vepu, Vempu, Vepa (Telugu), Bevu (Kannada),Kodu nimb(Konkani), Kohomba (Sinhala), Vembu (Tamil), Tamar (Burmese), sầu đâu, xoan Ấn Độ (Vietnamese), สะเดา(Sadaw, Thai), Paraiso (Spanish), and Indian Lilac (English). In East Africa it is also known as Muarubaini(Swahili), which means the tree of the 40, as it is said to treat 40 different diseases, and in Somalia it is known as"Geed Hindi" which means "the Indian tree".Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 m (about 50–65 feet), rarely to 35–40 m(115–131 feet). It is evergreen, but in severe drought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves. The branches arewide spread. The fairly dense crown is roundish or oval and may reach the diameter of 15–20 m in old, free-standingspecimens.

Azadirachta indica 2

LeavesThe opposite, pinnate leaves are 20–40 cm (8 to 16 in.) long, with 20 to 31 medium to dark green leaflets about3–8 cm (1 to 3 in.) long. The terminal leaflet is often missing. The petioles are short.

FlowersThe (white and fragrant) flowers are arranged axillary, normally in more-or-less drooping panicles which are up to25 cm (10 in.) long. The inflorescences, which branch up to the third degree, bear from 150 to 250 flowers. Anindividual flower is 5–6 mm long and 8–11 mm wide. Protandrous, bisexual flowers and male flowers exist on thesame individual.

FruitThe fruit is a smooth (glabrous) olive-like drupe which varies in shape from elongate oval to nearly roundish, andwhen ripe are 1.4-2.8 x 1.0-1.5 cm. The fruit skin (exocarp) is thin and the bitter-sweet pulp (mesocarp) isyellowish-white and very fibrous. The mesocarp is 0.3-0.5 cm thick. The white, hard inner shell (endocarp) of thefruit encloses one, rarely two or three, elongated seeds (kernels) having a brown seed coat.The neem tree is very similar in appearance to the Chinaberry, all parts of which are extremely poisonous tomammals, while birds are known to gorge themselves on the berries, the seeds passing harmlessly through theirunique digestive systems.

EcologyThe neem tree is noted for its drought resistance. Normally it thrives in areas with sub-arid to sub-humid conditions,with an annual rainfall between 400 and 1200 mm. It can grow in regions with an annual rainfall below 400 mm, butin such cases it depends largely on ground water levels. Neem can grow in many different types of soil, but it thrivesbest on well drained deep and sandy soils. It is a typical tropical to subtropical tree and exists at annual meantemperatures between 21-32 °C. It can tolerate high to very high temperatures and does not tolerate temperaturebelow 4 °C . Neem is a life-giving tree, especially for the dry coastal, southern districts of India. It is one of the veryfew shade-giving trees that thrive in the drought-prone areas. The trees are not at all delicate about the water qualityand thrive on the merest trickle of water, whatever the quality. In India it is very common to see neem trees used forshade lining the streets or in most people's back yards. In very dry areas the trees are planted in large tracts of land.

Weed statusNeem is considered a weed in many areas, including some parts of the Middle East, and most of Sub-Saharan Africaincluding West Africa where in Senegal it has been used as a malarial drug and Tanzania and other Indian Oceanstates where in Kiswahili it is known as 'the panacea', literally 'the tree that cures forty [diseases]', where ayurvedicuses are practiced.Ecologically, it survives well in similar environments to its own, for example replacing the babul acacia tree fromIndia with African acacia species.

Azadirachta indica 3

Chemical compoundsThe Indian scientists were the first scientist to bring the plant to the attention of phytopharmacologists. In 1942,while working at the Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory at Delhi University, British India, he extractedthree bitter compounds from neem oil, which he named nimbin, nimbinin, and nimbidin respectively.[1] The seedscontain a complex secondary metabolite azadirachtin.

UsesIn India, the tree is variously known as "Sacred Tree," "Heal All," "Nature's Drugstore," "Village Pharmacy" and"Panacea for all diseases." Products made from neem tree have been used in India for over two millennia for theirmedicinal properties: Neem products have been observed to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial,antiviral, contraceptive and sedative.[2] Neem products are also used in selectively controlling pests in plants. It isconsidered a major component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and is particularly prescribed for skin disease.[3]

• All parts of the tree are said to have medicinal properties (seeds, leaves, flowers and bark) and are used forpreparing many different medical preparations.

• Part of the Neem tree can be used as a spermicide[4]

• Neem oil is used for preparing cosmetics (soap, neem shampoo - Sunsan herbal, balms and creams, for exampleMargo soap), and is useful for skin care such as acne treatment, and keeping skin elasticity. Neem oil has beenfound to be an effective mosquito repellent.

• Neem derivatives neutralise nearly 500 pests worldwide, including insects, mites, ticks, and nematodes, byaffecting their behaviour and physiology. Neem does not normally kill pests right away, rather it repels them andaffects their growth. As neem products are cheap and non-toxic to higher animals and most beneficial insects,they are well-suited for pest control in rural areas.

• Besides its use in traditional Indian medicine, the neem tree is of great importance for its anti-desertificationproperties and possibly as a good carbon dioxide sink.

• Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine recommend that patients suffering from chicken pox sleep on neemleaves.

• Neem gum is used as a bulking agent and for the preparation of special purpose food (for diabetics).• Aqueous extracts of neem leaves have demonstrated significant antidiabetic potential.• Traditionally, slender neem branches were chewed in order to clean one's teeth. Neem twigs are still collected and

sold in markets for this use, and in India one often sees youngsters in the streets chewing on neem twigs.• A decoction prepared from neem roots is ingested to relieve fever in traditional Indian medicine.• Neem leaf paste is applied to the skin to treat acne, and in a similar vein is used for measles and chicken pox

sufferers.• Neem blossoms are used in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to prepare Ugadi pachhadi. "Bevina

hoovina gojju" (a type of curry prepared with neem blossoms) is common in Karnataka throughout the year.Dried blossoms are used when fresh blossoms are not available. In Tamilnadu, a rasam (veppam poo rasam) madewith neem blossoms is a culinary speciality.

• A mixture of neem flowers and bella (jaggery or unrefined brown sugar) is prepared and offered to friends andrelatives, symbolic of sweet and bitter events in the upcoming new year.

Extract of neem leaves is thought to be helpful as malaria prophylaxis despite the fact that no comprehensive clinicalstudies are yet available. In several cases, private initiatives in Senegal were successful in preventing malaria.[5]

However, major NGOs such as USAID are not supposed to use neem tree extracts unless the medical benefit hasbeen proved with clinical studies.

Azadirachta indica 4

Uses in pest and disease controlNeem is deemed very effective in the treatment of scabies, although only preliminary scientific proof, which still hasto be corroborated, exists, and is recommended for those who are sensitive to permethrin, a known insecticide whichmight be an irritant. Also, the scabies mite has yet to become resistant to neem, so in persistent cases neem has beenshown to be very effective. There is also anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness in treating infestations of head licein human. The oil is also used in sprays against fleas for cats and dogs.

As a vegetableThe tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable in India. Neem flowers are very popular fortheir use in Ugadi Pachhadi (soup-like pickle), which is made on Ugadi day in the South Indian States of AndhraPradesh, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. A souplike dish called Veppampoo Rasam (Tamil) (translated as "neem flowerrasam") made of the flower of neem is prepared in Tamil Nadu. In West Bengal, young neem leaves are fried in oilwith tiny pieces of eggplant (brinjal). The dish is called nim begun and is the first item during a Bengali meal thatacts as an appetizer. It is eaten with rice.Neem is also used in parts of mainland Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia, Laos (where it is called kadao),Thailand (where it is known as sadao or sdao), Myanmar (where it is known as tamar) and Vietnam (where it isknown as sầu đâu and is used to cook the salad: gỏi sầu đâu). Even lightly cooked, the flavour is quite bitter and thusthe food is not enjoyed by all inhabitants of these nations, though it is believed to be good for one's health. NeemGum is a rich source of protein. In Myanmar, young neem leaves and flower buds are boiled with tamarind fruit tosoften its bitterness and eaten as a vegetable. Pickled neem leaves are also eaten with tomato and fish paste sauce inMyanmar.

Association with Hindu festivals in India

Neem leaf or bark is considered an effective pitta pacifier due to itsbitter taste. Hence, it is traditionally recommended during early summerin Ayurveda (that is, the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu Calendarwhich usually falls in the month of March - April), and during GudiPadva, which is the New Year in the state of Maharashtra, the ancientpractice of drinking a small quantity of neem juice or paste on that day,before starting festivities, is found. As in many Hindu festivals and theirassociation with some food to avoid negative side-effects of the seasonor change of seasons, neem juice is associated with Gudi Padva toremind people to use it during that particular month or season to pacifysummer pitta. In Tamilnadu during the summer months of April to June,the Mariamman temple festival is a thousand year old tradition. TheNeem leaves and flowers are the most important part of the Mariammanfestival. The goddess Mariamman statue will be garlanded with Neemleaves and flowers. During most occasions of celebrations and weddingsthe people of Tamilnadu adorn their surroundings with the Neem leavesand flowers as a form of decoration and also to ward off evil spirits andinfections.

• In the eastern coastal state of Orissa the famous Jagannath templeidols are made up of Neem heart wood along with some otheressential oils and powders.

Azadirachta indica 5

Patent ControversyIn 1995, the European Patent Office (EPO) granted a patent on an anti-fungal product, derived from neem, to the USDepartment of Agriculture and multinational W. R. Grace and Company.[6] The Indian government challenged thepatent when it was granted, claiming that the process for which the patent had been granted had actually been in usein India for over 2,000 years. In 2000, the EPO ruled in India's favour but the US multinational mounted an appealclaiming that prior art about the product had never been published in a scientific journal. On 8 March 2005, thatappeal was lost and the EPO revoked the Neem patent rights keeping the tree free of these patent restrictions.[6]

Gallery

Squirrel live on Neem treeChennai, India.

Flowers inHyderabad, India.

Trunk Animals under a Neem tree in arural Punjabi home

Neem flowers in closeup A Neem tree with Springblossoms at Guntur, India

Flowers in Hyderabad, India. Flowers in Hyderabad,India.

References[1] Ganguli, S. (2002). "Neem: A therapeutic for all seasons" (http:/ / www. ias. ac. in/ currsci/ jun102002/ 1303. pdf). Current Science. 82(11),

June. p. 1304.[2] http:/ / www. infinityfoundation. com/ mandala/ t_es/ t_es_agraw_neem. htm[3] S. Zillur Rahman and M. Shamim Jairajpuri. Neem in Unani Medicine. Neem Research and Development Society of Pesticide Science, India,

New Delhi, Feb 1993, p. 208-219. Edited by N.S. Randhawa and B.S. Parmar. 2nd revised edition (chapter 21), 1996[4] http:/ / www. ias. ac. in/ currsci/ jun102002/ 1336. pdf[5] Al Jazeera report on neem tree treatment in Senegal (http:/ / english. aljazeera. net/ programmes/ peopleandpower/ 2008/ 12/

200812981318708792. html)[6] "India wins landmark patent battle" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ low/ sci/ tech/ 4333627. stm). BBC. 9 March 2005. . Retrieved 2009-10-02.

Azadirachta indica 6

External links• Neem Foundation (http:/ / www. neemfoundation. org/ )• Neem Benefits (http:/ / www. americanchronicle. com/ articles/ view/ 42953)• Invasiveness information from Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) (http:/ / www. hear. org/ pier/ species/

azadirachta_indica. htm)• Neem information from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR) (http:/ / www. hear. org/ species/

azadirachta_indica/ )• A non-commercial site that gives a rounded view of neem including home uses, the invasiveness dangers & how

to cope in Australia etc (http:/ / www. discoverneem. com/ )• Caldecott, Todd (2006). Ayurveda: The Divine Science of Life. Elsevier/Mosby. ISBN 0723434107. Contains a

detailed monograph on Azadirachta indica (Neem; Nimba) as well as a discussion of health benefits and usage inclinical practice. Available online at http:/ / www. toddcaldecott. com/ index. php/ herbs/ learning-herbs/314-neem

Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and ContributorsAzadirachta indica  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=433383435  Contributors: 100percentrecord, 21655, 2over0, Aaronstj, Ahoerstemeier, Akv, Alansohn, Amazins490,Amisha Trivedi, Andonic, Andre Engels, AxelBoldt, Badagnani, Belovedfreak, Big Bird, Bigboymeal, Bjorn Helgaas, Bluerasberry, Bobbytheonlyone, Boing! said Zebedee, Brimba, Bubbahotep, Bullzeye, CJLL Wright, Candelee, Capricorn42, Catgut, Celarnor, CharlesHBennett, Chendy, Clockwork, Cminard, Cuddlefish1, Cyberwikiking, DVdm, DadaNeem, DerHexer, Dilipgr,Discospinster, Dominus, DrJGMD, Dreadstar, Edcolins, Ekabhishek, Enauspeaker, Epbr123, Erianna, Esperant, Extra999, FJM, Firsfron, GDallimore, GateKeeper, Gilgamesh he, Gjjurado,Gnanapiti, Gnt, Gpics, Greeneem, Gugustiuci, Hadal, Haham hanuka, Hamamelis, Haploidavey, Hartmut Haberland, Hashemi1971, Hasiru, Hebrides, Hephaestos, Hesperian,IceCreamAntisocial, Invertzoo, Islescape, J.delanoy, J04n, JaGa, Jaipuria, JamesAM, Jan eissfeldt, Jfr26, Jimfbleak, Jmgarg1, JohnCD, JohnWittle, Julia Rossi, June Harris, Kalppana, Kazvorpal,Khalid Mahmood, Late at night, Leeannedy, Lilaac, LovesMacs, MER-C, MONGO, MPF, Maha ts, Mani1, Manuel Anastácio, MarkSutton, Markjoseph125, Marknesbitt, Maroux, Marshman,Mathaherbs, Mato, Mbodamer, Mbrmollah, Mc.bharathi, Mervyn, Mgarten, Mir Tanha Yousufi, Murali msc1995, Mysdaao, Nayansatya, Neil916, Neweco, Ngtrdon, Nijgoykar,NinetyNineFennelSeeds, Nuttycoconut, Ohnoitsjamie, Optakeover, Orangemarlin, Oswald Glinkmeyer, Ozonebiotech, Pabarge, Pawyilee, Ph0987, Phantomsteve, Philip Trueman, Philiptdotcom,Piano non troppo, Pinethicket, Predecess, Puchiko, Qxz, RJaguar3, Radiantenergy, Ratishn, Ravindiran, Removingext, RetiredWikipedian789, Ricardo Carneiro Pires, Riddley, Rrburke, S3000,SB Johnny, SMcCandlish, Sagararyal39, Servophbabu, Shaddack, Shadowjams, Shyamal, Siddeshwarprasad, Siddiqui, Siqbal, Siyavash, Skapur, Skier Dude, Smithfarm, Soaringhawk21, Sonia,Stan Shebs, StaticGull, Stemonitis, Strom, Stwalkerster, Subsume, Sumanthk, Sunderland06, Szkamk, Szopen, TDogg310, TanviKankan, Tauʻolunga, The Thing That Should Not Be,TheObtuseAngleOfDoom, Thendral Muthusami, ThevikasIN, TinyMark, Toytoy, Traciodea, Twr57, VASANTH S.N., Vamooom, Vanderesch, Verbal, Vicodin addict, Vietlong, VirenVaz,Vnparsons, Vprajkumar, WIN, Wiki alf, Wknight94, Wolfkeeper, Wonderland42, Woohookitty, WriterHound, Xufanc, Yath, Yosri, Zvika, 480 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributorsfile:Neem (Azadirachta indica) in Hyderabad W IMG_6976.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Neem_(Azadirachta_indica)_in_Hyderabad_W_IMG_6976.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors: J.M.GargImage:Vembu in tamilnadu.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Vembu_in_tamilnadu.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: ServophbabuFile:Squrel on neem tree.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Squrel_on_neem_tree.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: ServophbabuFile:Neem (Azadirachta indica) in Hyderabad W IMG 7006.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Neem_(Azadirachta_indica)_in_Hyderabad_W_IMG_7006.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors: J.M.GargFile:Neem (Azadirachta indica) trunk in Kolkata W IMG 6190.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Neem_(Azadirachta_indica)_trunk_in_Kolkata_W_IMG_6190.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: J.M.GargImage:Animal Section in a rural Punjabi home.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Animal_Section_in_a_rural_Punjabi_home.JPG  License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Khalid MahmoodImage:GntNeemFlowers.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:GntNeemFlowers.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: Ahoerstemeier,BD2412, Gnt, Gpics, 1 anonymous editsImage:GntNeemTree.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:GntNeemTree.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: BD2412, Gnt, GpicsFile:Neem (Azadirachta indica) in Hyderabad W IMG 6977.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Neem_(Azadirachta_indica)_in_Hyderabad_W_IMG_6977.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors: J.M.GargFile:Neem (Azadirachta indica) in Hyderabad W2 IMG 7006.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Neem_(Azadirachta_indica)_in_Hyderabad_W2_IMG_7006.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors: J.M.Garg

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