Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Scientific Name: Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Family: Meliaceae
Common Name: Neem
Hindi Name: नीम
Description:
Tree, up to 15 m tall. Branches glabrous. Leaves imparipinnate, pulvi¬nus at the base; leaflets alternate to opposite, 2.5-7 cm long, 1.5-4 cm broad, ovate, subsessile, acuminate. Flowers white, sweet-scented. Sepals obovate, 1.5 mm long, puberulous, imbricate. Petals 6 mm long, obvoate to oblong, white, margin ciliate. Staminal tube c. 5 mm long, puberulous, 10-striate, 10-toothed; teeth 2-lobed; anthers oblong, basifixed. Ovary sub-globose; style linear, c. 2.5 mm long; stigma trifid. Drupe oblong, 1.3-2 cm long, greenish-yellow, 1-seeded.
Economic Importance:
The bitter bark is used in making gum, the leaves are used as a poultice for boils; dried leaves serve in place of mothballs. It yields good timber.
Medicinal Importance:
Neem leaves are used to treat dental and gastrointestinal disorders, malaria fevers, skin diseases, and as insect repellent.
Religious Importance:
The Vedas called Neem, “SARVA ROGA NIVARINI”, which means ‘one that cures all ailments and ills’.
This tree is considered to be of divine origin. According to Indian mythology, amrita (ambrosia or the elixir of immortality) was being carried to heaven and a few drops of it fell on the Neem tree.