Scientific name Azadirachta indica

Nepali name: Neem

English name Margosa or China berry or Paradise tree

Neem is a tropical, fast growing tree especially suited to semi-arid conditions. It is a medium-large evergreen, perennial tree of 15 to 25m in height. The bark of the trunk is 1-2 cm thick, furrowed, longitudinally and obliquely, dark grey outside and reddish-brown inside. The inner bark is reddish brown glabrous. The fruit is one seeded drupe greenish yellow in colour. It grows in the plains in areas that reach an elevation of about 1500m -1800m. It can withstand temperature as high as 490c and low as 00C. Rainfall 130 - 200cm / yr is preferable but It can tolerate as little rainfall as 130mm /yr. Frost and hailstorm may affect its growth. It can be grown soil pH 4.0 to 9.5 the optimum pH is 6.2. It thrives in well drained fertile loamy soils.

The principal constituent of neem is 'Limonoids' which is active ingredient, isolated from leaves, flowers seeds and bark of neem tree. 'Azadirachtin', Nimbin, Salanin, NimbolinBeta, Meliantriol Deacetylaza, Quercerin, Myrcetin, Nimbosterin, Nimocetin are most important limonoids.

Uses of Neem

• Leaves: Anthelmintic, Insecticidal. Used in Skin diseases, Scborrhoeie Dermatitis effective against aflatoxin, Feeding green leaves can also help in boosting milk secretion after parturition. Leaves are also useful as mulch manure. It is also used as carminative and expectorant.

 • Flowers: Neem flowers are useful for dyspepsia, general debility.

• Bark:-The bark is useful for leprosy, blood complaints, diuretic, cardio - vascular diseases, ulcers and inflammations. A bitter tonic is prepared from neem bark.

• Neem oil:- It is used to antiseptic, anti bacterial, antifertility, antihelmintic and cosmetic preparations.

• Leaves are used to cure many diseases of the bladder, kidney, skin and eye diseases, jaundice, boils and urticaria. The dry flowers are considered as a stimulant, and bitter tonic. They also used as a stomachic, dyspepsia, and general debility. The bark is used in fever, nausea, vomiting, It is used as vermifuse and snakebites.  The seeds are used in diabetic and oil extraction

About Author

Kushal Naharki is an energetic, enthusiastic and versatile youth pursuing undergraduate degree in Agriculture at IAAS, Lamjung Campus, TU. World Hidden EcoHero Award Winner is also Regional Ambassador of TunzaEcoGeneration for Asia. He is working as Program Coordination of Youth Innovation Network, Vice President of Youth Thinkers’ Society Lamjung and Local Representative of YPARD Nepal. With the involvement in agriculture, environment and youth empowerment, he believes to bring the change in the society and create a sustainable future for all.

Picture Reference: https://www.amazon.in/BSD-Organics-Purify-Fresh-Leaves/dp/B075LF9ZB8