Neem
Other names: Lucerne?
Scientific name: Azadirachta indica
Common names: Neem tree
Ayurvedic names: Sarva roga nivarini, Arista
Chinese names: Yin du ku lian
Bangladesh names: Neem
Arabic names: النيم (an-neem)
Rain Forest names:
Family: Meliaceae (mahogany???)
Approximate number of species known: 2
Common parts used: Bark, leaf, seed, twig
Collection:
Annual/Perennial: Perennial
Height: Up to 20 metres
Actions: antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antifungal
Known Constituents:
Constituents Explained:
Description:
Evergreen
A very large, quickly growing tree tree, it has been used as an insecticide. The trunk has a diameter of upto 1.2m
The leaves are opposite, pinnate and usually 20-40cm long. It often has 20-30 leaflets. The petioles are very short????
The flowers are axillary???? with drooping panicles???
The neem resembles the Chinaberry, which is a toxic posionsous tree.
Traditional use:
The oil and leaf has been extracted to relieve sores, rashes ans psoraisis. When taken internally it seems to function as an anti bacterial and anti fungal.
It has also been used to help assist digestive problems, and to assist the liver.
It may have some sort of contraceptive activity and it may not be wise for it to be taken interally by women who are attempting to conceive.
Clinical Studies:
Azadirachta indica (neem), a Meliaceae family tree, has been used in India for several decades for the treatment of several diseases in medicine and dentistry. Neem has been considered to have antiseptic activity, but still its use for the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis is not very clear.
A study assessed the efficacy of neem based mouth rinse regarding its antigingivitis effect. Forty five subjects with plaque induced gingivitis were selected for the study. They were equally divided into three groups.
Group I patients were asked to rinse with 15 ml of neem mouthwash twice daily, group II with 15 ml of chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily, and group III with 15 ml of saline twice daily. The three groups were asked to perform the routine oral hygiene procedures thought out the study period.
Bleeding on probing and gingivitis were evaluated by Muhlemann and Son’s Sulcus bleeding index (1971) and Loe and Sillness gingival index (1963), respectively, at base line, after every week till one month.
The result showed that an A. indica mouthrinse is equally effective in reducing periodontal indices as Chlorhexidine. The results demonstrated a significant reduction of gingival, bleeding, and plaque indices in both groups over a period of 21 days as compared to placebo.
A. indica-based mouth rinse is equally efficacious with fewer side effects as compared to chlorhexidine and may be used as an adjunct therapy in treating plaque induced gingivitis.
Reference:
Chatterjee A, Saluja M, Singh N, Kandwal A. “To Evaluate The Antigingivitis And Antiplaque Effect Of An Azardirachta Indica (Neem) Mouthrinse On Plaque-Induced Gingivitis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial.” 2011 October http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22368367
Source:
Neem
Herb Name: Neem
Others names:
Nimba,
Nimb,
Indian Lilac,
Bead Tree,
Holy Tree,
Margosa Tree,
Persian Lilac,
Ravipriya,
Veppu
Latin name: Azadirachta indica
Family: Meliaceae
Common part used: Root bark, Bark of tree, Leaves, Flowers, Fruit, Juice, Oil extracted from the nut
Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15-20 m (about 50-65 feet), rarely to 35-40 m (115-131 feet). It is evergreen, but in severe drought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves. The branches are wide spread. The fairly dense crown is round or oval and may reach the diameter of 15-20 m in old, free-standing specimens.
Medicinal uses: Neem tree is generally considered to be an air purifier and a preventive against malarial fever and cholera. All parts of the tree possess medicinal properties. The leaves are useful in relieving flatulence, promoting the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes, and in increasing secretion and discharge of urine. They also act as an insecticide. The bark is a bitter tonic and a stimulant. It arrests secretions and bleeding besides counter-acting any spasmodic disorders. The root bark has the same properties as the bark of the trunk. The gum discharged by the stem is a stimulant and tonic with a soothing effect on the skin and mucous membranes.
Malaria
An infusion or a decoction of the fresh leaves is a bitter vegetable tonic and alterative, especially in chronic malarial feveI1 because of its action on the liver. It should be taken in doses of 15 to 60 grams.
Piles
The use of 3 grams of the inner bark of neem with 6 grams of jaggery every morning, is very effective in’ piles.
Leprosy
The sap of the neem tree has been found effective in leprosy, when taken in daily doses of 60 grams. Simultaneously the patient’s body should be massaged with the sap. This regimen should be continued for 40 days. If the sap is not available, 12 grams of neem leaves and three decigrams of pepper can be ground in water and taken.
Skin Disorders
The leaves, applied externally, are very useful in skin diseases. They- are especially beneficial in the treatment of boils, chronic ulcers, eruptions of smallpox, syphilitic sores, glandular swellings and wounds. They can be used either as a poultice, decoction or liniment. An ointment prepared from neem leaves is also very effective in healing ulcers and wounds. This ointment is prepared by frying 50 grams of the leaves in 50 grams of pure ghee and mashing the mixture thoroughly in the same ghee till an ointment consistency is obtained. A paste prepared from the bark by rubbing it in water can also be applied on wounds.
Hair Disorders
If there is any hair loss or it has ceased to grow, washing with the decoction of neem leaves may help. This will not only stop hair from falling but also help their growth. Frequent application of neem oil also destroys insects in the hair.
Eye Diseases
Neem is very useful in eye diseases. Application of the juice of neem leaves to the eyes every night is highly effective in the treatment of night blindness. The leaves should be pounded and made into a thin paste with water. The juice€ should then be pressed out through a clean piece of cloth and applied to the eyes with an eye rod.
The juice obtained by rubbing a few neem leaves with a little water and strained through a clean piece of cloth is useful in pain in the eyes caused by conjunctivitis. It is warned, and a few drops put into the ear opposite the ailing eye~ to give relief. Eyes are cured after a few applications.
Ear Ailments
Steam fomentation with neem decoction provides immediate. Comfort in cases of earache. A handful of neem leaves should be boiled in a litre of water and the ear fomented with the steam thus produced. The juice of neem leaves mixed with an equal quantity of pure honey is an effective remedy for any boils in the ear. The juice is to be warmed a little and a few drops fused in the ear. Regular application for a few days will provide relief from such ailments.
In case of an insect fluxing in the ear the juice of neem leaves, with some common salt, is warmed and few drops injected in the ear, kill the insect. Two drops of lukewarm neem oil put in the ear twice a day can cure deafness.
Oral Disorders
Cleaning the teeth regularly with a neem twig prevents gum diseases. It £inns up loose teeth, relieves toothache, evacuates the bad odour and protects the mouth from various infections.