Azadirachta indica

HABIT: Azadirachita indica is a perennial tree medium to large, deep-rooted tree. It is almost evergreen and has wide spreading branches forming a rounded or oval dense crown. It grows to a height of 12-15 m, in rare cases up to 30 m, with a short, straight bole 3-7.5 m long and 1.5-2.8 m in girth. The tree generally branches early in life, forming a broad round crown of bright green foliage. A. indica has moderately thick bark (1.2-2.5 cm) with small tubercles scattered between numerous longitudinally and obliquely wrinkled furrows. The bark is dark-grey from the outside and reddish inside. The seedlings have a moderately long and tapering primary root with the lateral roots average in number and length, and fibrous (Troup, 1921). However, mature A. indica trees have comparatively short tap roots depending on the soil, and a number of long, horizontal lateral roots (Parker, 1956; Luna, 1996).

CONSERVATION STATUS: Evaluated as 'Least Concern' by IUCN.

MEDICINAL USES: Azadirachta indica (Neem) plant acts as a medicinal plant have been found effective in the treatment of bacterial , fungal, viral and other diseases and revealed the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimalarial, antiulcer and other biological activities. Due to increasing antibiotic resistance in microorganisms and side effects of synthetic antibiotics neem plant are now growing popularity in the treatment of many infections. Neem plant is considered as clinically effective and safer alternatives to the synthetic antibiotics.

(More, Y. W., Raut, R. R., & Taware, A. S. (2015). Review on biological activities of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and its medicinal uses. International Journal of Informative Futuristic Research, 2, 1327-1334.).

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES: Neem wood is very strong and durable so it is used to make furnitures, building wheels etc. The bark of the neem tree is used to treat malaria, intestinal ulcers, skin diseases, pain and fever. It is also used for healthy hair detoxify blood and balance blood sugar level. The seeds is used to treat laprosy, kills intestinal worms. It is also used for birth control. Neem seeds powder helps to reduce sugar levels. The Neem oil is an extract of neem tree. Neem oil is used as a facial oil, it is used to treat acne, pimples. It has anti fungal properties and can be used to treat hair and skin disorders it's also use as an insecticide. Neem oil may also be used to treat the symptoms of eczema, leprosy and other skin diseases.

(kumar Singh, R. Ethnomedicinal properties of Azadirachta indica.(Neem Tree)).