The Neem Tree The NEEM tree (Azadirachta indica) is a tropical evergreen tree native to India and is also

found in other southeast countries. In India, neem is known as the village pharmacy because of its healing versatility, and it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 4,000 years due to its medicinal properties. Neem is also called arista in Sanskrit- a word that means perfect, complete and imperishable. The seeds, bark and leaves contain compounds with proven antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antifungal uses. The Sanskrit name nimba comes from the term nimbati syasthyamdadati which means to give good health. The earliest documentation of neem mentioned the fruit, seeds, oil, leaves, roots and bark for their advantageous medicinal properties. These benefits are listed in the ancient documents Carak- Samhita and Susruta-Samhita, the books at the foundation of the Indian system of natural treatment, Ayurveda. Neem has a garlic-like odor, and a bitter taste. The various parts of this tree have many uses that aptly give neem its name in Sanskrit-sarva roga nivarini, meaning the curer of all ailments. Some of the most important documented uses of various parts of the neem tree are: Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree and has insecticidal and medicinal properties due to which it has been used for thousands of years in pest control, cosmetics, medicines, etc. Please see neem oil & its uses for detailed information. Neem seed cake (residue of neem seeds after oil extraction) when used for soil amendment or added to soil, not only enriches the soil with organic matter but also lowers nitrogen losses by inhibiting nitrification. It also works as a nematicide. Neem leaves are used to treat chickenpox and warts by directly applying to the skin in a paste form or by bathing in water with neem leaves. In order to increase immunity of the body, neem leaves are also taken internally in the form of neem capsules or made into a tea. The tea is traditionally taken internally to reduce fever caused by malaria. This tea is extremely bitter. It is also used to soak feet for treating various foot fungi. It has also been reported to work against termites. In Ayurveda, neem leaves are used in curing neuromuscular pains. Neem leaves are also used in storage of grains. Twigs of neem are also used in India and Africa as toothbrushes. Nowadays toothpastes with neem extracts are also available commercially. Neem (leaf and seed) extracts have been found to be spermicidal and thus research is being conducted to use neem extracts for making contraceptives. Neem produces pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and fever reducing compounds that can aid in the healing of cuts, burns, earaches, sprains and headaches, as well as fevers. Neem bark and roots also have medicinal properties. Bark & roots in powdered form are also used to control fleas & ticks on pets. Neem has anti-bacterial properties that help in fighting against skin infections such as acne, psoriasis, scabies, eczema, etc. Neem extracts also help in treating diabetes, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, herpes, allergies, ulcers, hepatitis and several other diseases. There are many active constituents of Neem. Neem oil, leaves and neem extracts are used to manufacture health and beauty care products. Some of such products are soaps, bath powders, shampoos, lotions and creams, toothpastes, neem leaf tablets to increase immunity, insect repellents, pet care products, etc. Neem extracts have been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on food crops. It has been proven in various research studies that Neem is non-toxic to birds, beneficial insects or humans and protects crops from over 200 of the most costly pests. For more detailed information on Neem, please visit www.neemfoundation.org Disclaimer: The above mentioned uses of the neem tree are given for informational purpose only and have been put together from the various published media and internet. Neem oil sold by Organeem LLC is pure unformulated neem oil and is not registered by the EPA as a pesticide or insecticide. It has also not been registered by the FDA for treating or curing any disease or for any specific herbal use. The Uses of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Neem: Nature's Drugstore

Azadirachta indica, commonly known as "Neem", is a species of tree indigenous India, Burma (Mynamar), Bangladesh, Pakistan and Africa. Many Indians refer to Neem as the "Divine Tree" or "Nature's Drugstore" due to it's uses in herbal medicines and natural remedies - it is thought the tree has a cure or treatment for more than forty different diseases and medical conditions. A fairly distinct tree, a standard Neem will achieve a height of 25-30m in a relatively short period of growth. It is extremely important not to confuse the tree with Melia Azedarach (Chinaberry), a tree that produces highly poisonous fruit in which various neurotoxins will garauntee death within a period of 24 hours - a rather unpleasant mistake to make. Neem is used in a variety of traditional medical practices. In India, twigs taken from the Neem tree are commonly used to scrub teeth - all though seemingly unpleasant, the branches of the Neem tree provide one of the most effective forms of dental care in traditional medicines and are an excellent alternative for modern toothcare products. Achne sufferers can use the leaves of the Neem tree in a course of natural treatment for their skincare complaints - a pure Neem leaf powder mixed with water can be applied to effected areas of skin with cotton buds to quickly clear many skin complaints. Similarly, the Neem leaves can be used to treat infected eyes. A portion of ten clean Neem leaves is left to boil in a litre of water for precisely ten minutes and left to cool - this turns the water into a herbal infusion that can be used just as any eyewash could. A similar infusion can also be used to treat sore throats - two or three Neem leaves are boiled in three-hundred millilitres of water and left to cool. When sufficiently cooled, another natural product (typically honey) is added to the infusion and gargled in the throat. If one elects to use Neem as an oil (tutorials for Herbal oil infusions can easily be found on the internet), the Neem oil can be mixed with olive oil (all though some substitue this for coconut oil) and gently massaged into the hair of an individual - this serves to treat dandruff and dispose of headlice if left without washing for one hour. Following the hour, shampoo should be applied and hair rinsed as normal - dandruff and headlice conditions will usually subside within three weeks of a once-weekly treatment course. A pure Neem oil can also be applied to the nose like one would apply nasal drops in order to clear conditions such as sinustis. Aside from it's medical usages, Neem is also widely utilised to create an effective pest deterant. Rather than killing insects and pests by distrupting the nervous system of the animal, Neem-based pesticides effect the portion of the brain or nervous system responsible for producing hormones that enable insects to move through their lifecycle and drastically reduce their lifespan. Essentially, the pesticide causes the insect to die of old age when it reaches the end of it's current lifecycle. The most effective Neem pesticides can be purchased from professional herbalists or gardeners. Neem pesticides can be made at home but the most commonly utilised ingredient is Neem cake, which must be purchased from a professional. Alternatively, one can make a Neem leaf extract for pesticidal use. One kilogram of leaves are soaked in water overnight before being ground. Five litres of water is then added to the mixture and once again left to set overnight. Finally, five millilitres of emulsifier are added to the mixture and the completed product is strained to create a leaf extract. The pesticide helps to combat some of the most common garden pests, especially those that feed on the leaves of plants (such as caterpillas). One should always take care to use a pesticide lightly and only where necessary - the potency of Neem spread over a large area could badly damage the local population of insects, which should be avoided as they do play a key role in maintaining local enviornments. Neem Azadirachta indica A. Juss. NIM, HOLY TREE, PRIDE OF CHINA Other scientific names Melia indica Brand Melia azadirachta A. Juss. Common names Nim Margosa tree Indian Lilac Bead tree Pride of China Divine tree Holy tree Persian Lilac Neem tree Nimba

General info A tree belonging to the mahogany family known as the "free tree" because of its ability to "free the soil." Popular in the Philippines, more for its insecticidal properties (pang-lamok) than for its medicinal applications. In India, it is considered the most useful traditional medicinal plant, and commericially beneficial as each part of the tree has some medicinal property. Botany Medium-sized tree growing to 15 meters high, with wide spreading branches forming an oval crown. Leaves are pinnately compound. The drooping leaflets are 1 cm long, paired, lanceolate, acuminate with serrated margins. The blade is shiny dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the underside. Flowers are numerous, small, white and fragrant. Distribution Not widespread in the Philippines. A good shade tree. Propagated by seeds. Chemical constituents and properties From the seed is produced a bitter fixed oil, nimbidin, known as "Oil of Margosa" or neem oil. Neem seeds yield a fix oil of glycerides and bitter compounds including nimbin, nimbinin and nimbidol. Neem bark and leaves contain tannin and oil. Azadirachtin, the insecticide constitutent of the seeds, is biodegradable, non-mutagenic, and nontoxic to birds, fish, and warm-blooded animals. The EPA has approved a neem formulation (Margosan-O) as a pesticide for limited use on nonfood crops Antiinflammatory (nimbidin, sodium nimbidate, gallic acid, catechin, polysachharides). Antiarthritic, hypoglycemic, antipyretic, hypoglycemic, diuretic, anti-gastric ulcer (nimbidin) Antifungal (nimbidin, gedunin, cyclic trisulfide) Antibacterial (nimbidin, nimbolide, mahmoodin, margolone, margolonone, isomargolonone) Spermicidal (nimbin, nimbidin) Antimalarial (nimbolidfe, gedunin, azadirachtin) Antitumor (polysaccharides) Immunomodulatory (NB-II peptoglycan, gallic acid, epicatechin, catechin) Hepatoprotective (aequeous extract of neem leaf) Antioxidant (neem seed extract) Uses Folkloric Poultice of leaves for swollen glands, brusies and sprains. Fresh leaf-tea used for malaria. Tree and root barks have been used for malaria, jaundice, and for intestinal parasitism. Edible pulp of the fruit used for hemorrhoids. Ayurvedic medicine Leaf- leprosy, intestinal parasites, eye problems, skin ulcers Bark - pain and fever. Flower - bile suppression, intestinal worms and phlegm. Fruit - piles, intestinal worms, urinary disorder, nose bleeding , phlegm, eye problem, diabetes, wounds and leprosy. Twig - cough, asthma, piles, intestinal worms, spermatorrhoea, urinary disorders, diabetes. Gum - ringworms,scabies, wounds and ulcers. Seed pulp and oil- leprosy and intestinal worms. Others Young tender branches are chewed for toothbrushing use. Leaf's oil is used as a local antiseptic and insecticide. Neem oil may be useful for gingivitis. In the rural areas, burning of leaves and seeds used as mosquito repellant. Neem oil has been shown to possess some spermicidal and contraceptive properties when used

intravaginally. Use of neem oil in animals showed lowering of glucose Commercial use Neem extracts used in the manufacture of toothpaste for its antibacterial properties. Fresh seed oil has a strong garlic odor and is an ingredient for insect sprays. Studies Studies have suggested hypoglycemic, antiulcer, antifertility, antimalarial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer and antioxidant effects. Effect of essential oils from two Nigerian medicinal plants (Azadirachta indica and Morinda lucida) on growth and aflatoxin B1 production in maize grain by a toxigenic Aspergillus flavus: Oils from A indica completely suppressed aflatoxin synthesis. Lipid Effects / Antiviral: Effect of Supplemental Garlic and Neem Leaves in Broiler Feeds on Blood Cholesterol, Triglycerids and Antibody Titer: Study showed neem had greater potential than garlic in reducing cholesterol, triglycerides and increasing the antibody titers against viruses. Antibacterial / Anticariogenic: Study showed Neem bark constituents have the ability to suppress growth of cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus sobrinus). Anti-ulcer: (1) Mechanism of antiulcer effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract: effect on H+-K+-ATPase, oxidative damage and apoptosis: Study suggests antiulcer activity is achieved by blocking acid secretionn through inhibition of H+K+ATPase and preventing oxidative damage and apoptosis. (2) Study of A indica in albino rats showed significant inhibition of basal and histamine-induced gastric acid secretion. Cimetidine seemed to augment AI inhibition of gastric acid secretion. (3) Study of neem bark extract showed therapeutic potential in controlling gastric hypersecretion and gastroesophageal and gastroduodenal ulcers. (4) Study showed neem extract to have a regenerative potential in ethanol-induced mucosal damage in the stomach and ileum and may be adopted in the management of gastrointestinal ulcer disorders. Anti-candidal: Anticandidal activity of Azadirachta indica: Study suggested hexane and alcoholic extracts to have anticandidal potential. Antiplaque Activity: A study was done on the effectiveness of neem leaf extract against plaque formation. Results showed the dental gel containing neem extract significantly reduced the plaque index and bacterial count of S mutans and Lactobacillus species compared with commercial chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash as control. Antidermatophytic Activity: A study showed the neem seed extract has high antidermatophytic properties and supports the alternative use of neem oil in the treatment of various skin infections. Biosorbent Activity: A study showed the effectiveness of the Neem leaf powder as a biosorbent for removing dyes like Congo Red from water. Hypoglycemic / Antidiabetic Activity: (1) In a study of 30 known or less known hypoglycemic medicinal plants in folk medicine, Azadirachta indica was one of 24 samples (18th or 24) that was observed to have significant blood glucose lowering activities. (2) Study on the aqueous extracts of C roseus, Azadirachta indica and A sativum indicated significant antidiabetic activity, supporting its traditional use in Ayurveda for therapy of diabetes. Hepatoprotective Activity: A study showed A indica leaf extract showed hepatoprotective effects against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage probably through its antioxidant activity. Anti-Fertility Activity / Rodent Control: A study showed Neem seed extract can be used as an anti-fertility agent on baits to control harmful agricultural rodents. Toxicity Studies Acute Toxicity Study of Neem Oil: Study of neem oil by oral route in rats and rabbits showed dose-related pharmacotoxic symptoms along with biochemical and histopatholocial indices of toxicity, with the changes in the lungs and CNS as target organs of toxicity. Availability Wildcrafted. Available in cybermarkets as supplements, oil, cakes, extracts, and organic manure.