- Also called:
- nim or margosa
- Related Topics:
- evergreen
- medicinal plant
neem
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What is a neem tree?
The neem (Azadirachta indica) is a fast-growing tree, likely native to the Indian subcontinent and South Asia, belonging to the mahogany family (Meliaceae). It can grow to be 49β98 feet tall, characterized by a rounded crown and furrowed bark.
Nearly all parts of the neem tree are useful. It has long been used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine, cosmetics, and organic farming because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties. The seeds yield a medicinal aromatic oil with insecticidal and antiseptic properties.
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Where does the neem tree commonly grow?
The neem tree is native to the Indian subcontinent and dry regions of South Asia. It has been introduced to Africa, the Caribbean, and South and Central America. Neem trees grow well in poor, rocky soils and tolerate diverse environments, but they cannot survive freezing temperatures or waterlogged conditions. The trees typically reach heights of 15β30 meters (49β98 feet), have rounded crowns, and feature thick, furrowed bark.
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What does a neem tree look like?
The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is a fast-growing tree that can reach 15β30 meters (49β98 feet) in height. It is valued for its timber, medicinal properties, and use as an organic pesticide. It features an attractive rounded crown and thick, furrowed bark. Its compound leaves have toothed leaflets and are typically evergreen but will drop during extreme drought. The small, fragrant white flowers can be either bisexual or staminate (male). These flowers grow in clusters in the axils of its leaves. The fruit is a smooth, yellow-green drupe with a sweet-flavored pulp.
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What uses do people have for the leaves and seeds of the neem tree?
The neem tree has many uses, and nearly all its parts are valuable because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Neem leaves:
* Used in traditional diabetes treatments and may help control blood sugar
* Unsafe for consumption by pregnant women and can cause miscarriageNeem seeds:
* Oil extracted from the seeds can serve as an insect and mite repellent, insecticide, and fungicide
* The oil is a source of commercial pesticide products. Azadirachtin, the active insecticidal ingredient, disrupts insect molting hormones, preventing larvae from developing into adults, and is a feeding inhibitor
* Neem oil can kill soft-bodied insects on contact and decreases mating and reproductive behaviors, reducing pest fecundity. As a fungicide, it controls rust, black spot, mildew, scab, anthracnose, and blight
* Neem oil is unsafe for consumption by pregnant women and can cause miscarriage1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How is neem used in traditional medicine and agriculture?
The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is valued for its medicinal properties and as a source of organic pesticides. Nearly all parts of the neem tree are useful because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties.
In traditional medicine, neem is used in shampoos for dandruff and in skin creams for conditions like acne. Also, neem leaves have been used as a traditional treatment for diabetes. As an organic pesticide, neem oil extracted from the seeds, is used as an insect and mite repellent, insecticide, and fungicide. Neem-based pesticides have low toxicity for mammals and are common in organic farming.
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Why is the neem tree sometimes called the 'village pharmacy'?
The neem tree is called the 'village pharmacy' because nearly all its parts are useful, with medicinal and cosmetic applications attributed to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is used in products like shampoos, soaps, creams, toothpastes, and mouthwashes. Neem leaves are a traditional treatment for diabetes, with some evidence suggesting they help control blood sugar. Neem oil serves as an organic pesticide, disrupting insect molting and inhibiting feeding, and as a fungicide, it controls rust, mildew, and blight.
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neem, (Azadirachta indica), fast-growing tree of the mahogany family (Meliaceae), valued as a medicinal plant, as a source of organic pesticides, and for its timber. Neem is likely native to the Indian subcontinent and to dry areas throughout South Asia. It has been introduced to parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and numerous counties in South and Central America. The plant has long been used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine and is used in cosmetics and in organic farming applications.
Plant description
Neem trees can reach 15β30 metres (49β98 feet) in height and have attractive rounded crowns and thick furrowed bark. The compound leaves have toothed leaflets and are typically evergreen but do drop during periods of extreme drought. The small fragrant white flowers are bisexual or staminate (male) and are borne in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a smooth yellow-green drupe and has a sweet-flavoured pulp.
Neem is usually grown from seed but can be propagated from cuttings or root suckers. The plant is hardy and resilient and grows well in poor, rocky soils. Neem tolerates a wide variety of environmental conditions but cannot survive freezing temperatures or being waterlogged.
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Uses
Nearly all parts of the neem tree are useful, and many of its medicinal and cosmetic uses are based on its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Neem is commonly used in shampoos for treating dandruff and in soaps or creams for skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and athleteβs foot. It is also a component in some toothpastes and mouthwashes, especially in the Indian subcontinent, and young twigs are used directly as crude toothbrushes in rural areas. Neem leaves have long been used as a traditional treatment for diabetes, and there is some clinical evidence suggesting that it may help control blood sugar levels. Neem oil and neem bark and leaves are unsafe for consumption by pregnant women and can cause miscarriage.
Oil extracted from the seeds can be used directly as an insect and mite repellent, insecticide, and fungicide and is the source of many commercial pesticide products, including dusts, granules, and concentrates. The primary active insecticidal ingredient, azadirachtin, works to disrupt the hormones involved with insect molting, preventing larvae from developing properly into adults, and is a feeding inhibitor. Neem oil can kill soft-bodied insects on contact and decreases mating and reproductive behaviours, reducing pest fecundity. As a fungicide, neem oil is used to control rust, black spot, mildew, scab, anthracnose, and blight. Given that neem oil breaks down quickly with exposure to ultraviolet light, repeated applications are often necessary. Neem-based pesticides generally have low toxicity for mammals and are common in organic farming applications.