India has the rich heritage of medicinal plants. These medicinal plants are used in Indian, Ayurvedic, Hemopathy and Unani medical system playing a major part in the curing number of disorders. These plant species do not cause side effects. Neem one of the important plant species known for its rich medicinal properties. It also has sacred value in India tradition. The botanical name of Neem is Azadirachta indica. It is also named as Nimtree and Indian Lilac. It belongs to Family Meliaceae and Genus Azadirachta. It is native to India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka and southern parts of Iran. It is also called by different names according to the language and location. Some of the names are listed below:
- Arabic – Neeb, Azad-darakhul-hind, Shajarat Alnnim
- Assamese – Neem (নীম)
- Bengali – Nim (নিম)
- English – Margosa, Neem Tree
- French – Azadirac de l’Inde, margosier, margousier
- German – Indischer zedrach, Grossblaettiger zedrach
- Gujarati – Dhanujhada (ધનુજઝાડ), Limba
- Hausa – Darbejiya
- Hindi – Neem
- Kannada – Bevu (ಬೇವು)
- Malayalam – Ariyaveppu
- Manipuri – Neem (নীম)
- Marathi – Kadunimba (कडुनिंब)
- Myanmar – Burma- Tamar
- Persian – Azad Darakth e hind, neeb, nib
- Portuguese – Nimbo, Margosa, Amargoseira
- Punjabi – Nimm (ਨਿੱਮ)
- Sanskrit – Arishta, Pakvakrita, Nimbaka (निंबक)
- Sinhala – Kohomba (කොහොඹ)
- Tamil – Veppai (வேப்பை), Sengumaru
- Telugu – Vepa (వెపా)
- Thai – Sadao (สะเดา)
- Tulu-besappu
- Urdu – Neem (نیم)
- Yoruba – Dongoyaro
- Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- (Unranked): Angiosperms
- (Unranked): Eudicots
- (Unranked): Rosids
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Meliaceae
- Genus: Azadirachta
- Species: A. Indicia
- Properties
Being a medicinal plant It offers number of properties and are listed below.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti arthritic
- Antipyretic
- Hypoglycemic
- Anti gastric Ulcer
- Spermicidal
- Anti fungal
- Antibacterial
- Diuretic
- Antimalarial
- Antirrhinum
- Immuno modulatory
Plant Description - It is an evergreen plant that can grow up to 15–20 meters (49–66 ft), rarely for 35–40 meters (115–131 ft). The plant also bears branches.
The leaves are opposite, pinnate and are about 20–40 centimeters (7.9–15.7 in). Petioles are also present.
The plant also bear flowers and are of about 5–6 millimeters (0.20–0.24 in) long and 8–11 millimeters (0.31–0.43 in) wide. They are which in color and has fragrance.
Fruits are also found in them, which may vary in their in shape and size from 1.4–2.8 centimeters (0.55–1.10 in) by 1.0–1.5 centimeters (0.39–0.59 in). - Neem Extract
The Neem plant offers a number of extracts such as leaves, Neem oil and Neem seed oil. These extracts are also very useful and offer lots of medicinal benefits. The paste of neem leaf plant can be applied directly to the affected skin and tissues for quick relief. The oil extracted from neem leaves are useful in treating dandruff, skin, hairs and gums. Oil extracted from neem seeds are the purest form of oils.
Medical Benefits of Neem
Being a medicinal plant it offers a number of medicinal benefits. Some of the benefits are listed below. - Helpful in weight loss
- Helpful in maintaining blood sugar levels
- Helpful in cancer treatment
- Helpful in fungal infection
- Helpful in treating hair problems like lice
- Helpful in mosquito repellent
- Helpful in skin problems
- Helpful in treating hepatitis
- Helpful in treating oral problems
- Helpful in amoebiasis
- Side effects of Neem
- It is unsafe taking directly from mouth at the time of pregnancy
- Increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases
- It also reduces fertility and harm sperm
- Show some negative effects for organ transplantation
- Show some negative effects at the time of surger
One can know more about Neem its benefits and side effects after studying the blog
