There were many trees in India which are extremely useful to human life. I will introduce them regularly to all my Nature friends. Initially we will start with Neem tree.
Neem –
The Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has been known as the wonder tree for centuries in the Indian subcontinent. Neem tree is historical tree and used by ancient Indian doctors (called “वैद्य”-pronounced as ‘Vaidya’ in Sanskrit language). Indian peoples know the important of the Neem tree and its uses in day to day life. Here I will show you some of the key points related with Neem tree.
Sanskrit Name
|
Arishtha meaning the reliever of the sickness
|
Scientific Name
|
Azadirachta indica
|
Local Name
|
Neem, Kadu Nimba
|
Habitat
|
All over India
|
Height
|
Avg height up to 15-20 m.
|
Use
|
Multiple uses
|
Blossom
|
During March
|
Fruit repining
|
During June
|
The Neem tree has been known as the wonder tree for centuries in the Indian subcontinent. There is no. of uses of Neem tree. Brihat Samhita, an ancient Hindu treatise, contains a chapter of verses on plant medicines. It contains recommendations for specific trees to be planted in the vicinity of one’s house. Neem was highly recommended.
Neem tree is one of the most oxygen producing plant on earth and hence Aayurveda recommends to plant Neem trees around our homes so that the environment has high level of Oxygen
I don’t know whether Neem can grow outside the Asia but I think Neem will grow there also because it requires no human attention, no water requirement from human, no fertilizers, it is a strong natural pesticide, hence I think Neem can grow successfully outside the Asia also.
Neem trees have fruits which are initially green in color. Then they become yellow after ripening process. Generally blossom is comes in the month of March and April during which India have New Year celebrations of Gudi padwa. Up to June, the fruit ripens and seeds are distributed all over area through birds. Hence June and July is the best time to grow Neem plants in the soil because of arrival of Mansoon.
Use of Neem
The medical properties of Neem have been known to Indians since time immemorial. The earliest Sanskrit medical writings refer to the benefits of Neem’s fruits, seeds, oil, leaves, roots and bark. Each has been used in the Indian Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicines, and is now being used in the manufacture of modern day medicinal, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceuticals.
· Pest and disease control, General antiseptics, Antimicrobials, Treatment of urinary disorders,
· Diarrhea, Fever and bronchitis, Skin diseases,
· Septic sores, Infected burns, Hypertension and inflammatory diseases,
· Preparing cosmetics such as soap, Neem shampoo, balms and creams as well as toothpaste
· The stem of neem is used as a toothbrush and is called datun
· The neem tree is of great importance for its anti-desertification properties and possibly as a good carbon dioxide sink
· Traditionally, slender neem branches have been chewed to clean one's teeth. Neem twigs are still collected and sold in markets for this use, and in rural India one often sees youngsters in the streets chewing on neem twigs.
· Bird repellent: Neem leaf boiled water can be used as a very cost effective bird repellent measure, especially for sparrow
· Neem has a very strong bitter taste and it is one of the strongest antifungal and anti bacterial medicine known to humans from past times hence on the Hindu New Year i.e. on Gudi padwa neem leaves are eaten so as to stay healthy for the entire year. (Also see Gudi Padwa) In my childhood I strongly dislikes the taste of Neem but my Grandfather was forces me to eat a little amount of neem sauce on every New Year.
· Neem has an almost magical effect on chronic skin conditions that fail to respond to conventional treatments. Acne, psoriasis, eczema, and ringworm are conditions that are effectively treated by a Neem preparation.
· Scalp conditions like dandruff, scaling and even hair loss improve with Neem products. Yellow or brittle nails, caused by the presence of yeast or fungi, are normalized by the use of Neem
· A recent study showed that a Neem treatment lowered high cholesterol levels. It has also been tested, with good results, for other heart conditions
· AIDS and Cancer: Tests are currently being carried out, with encouraging results
Patent controversy
In 1995, the European Patent Office (EPO) granted a patent on an anti-fungal product derived from neem to the US Department of Agriculture and W. R. Grace and Company. The Indian government challenged the patent when it was granted, claiming that the process for which the patent had been granted had actually been in use in India for over 2,000 years. In 2000, the EPO ruled in India's favors but W. R. Grace appealed, claiming that prior art about the product had never been published in a scientific journal. On 8 March 2005, that appeal was lost and the EPO revoked the Neem patent.
Besides these listed use, there are number of other uses too. There is a very big literature available in Aayurveda regarding use of Neem. But due to time and page restrictions I will post them later on. Hope you enjoyed so far this article.
If you want to know something more or if know any additional things about Neem, then please let me know.
(Some information is taken from Wikipedia, thanks for their information)
