Introduction
What is neem?
It is typically grown in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Neem trees also grow in islands located in the southern part of Iran. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.1
Components
Leaves
Imparipinnate 20-37 cm in length. Leaf-lets are opposite or alternate, obliquely falcate-lanceolate, serrate, dark green to greenish yellow in colour.2
Fruits
Drupe 1.2 to 1.8 cm long, oblong, 1 — seeded smooth greenish yellow in colour. Intensely bitter in Taste.4
Bark
Rough, greyish to brownish in colour, channelled in shape, about 10mm in thickness — with scaly to fissured surface. Internally yellowish in colour laminated and fibrous.5
Chemical constituents
The active ingredient areazadirachtin, salannin and meliantrol. The neem leaves contain meliacin, nimbin, nimbidin, nimbosterol and a bitter principle called margosasine.
Neem oil is expressed from seeds and it contains chiefly glycerides of oleic (50%) and stearic (20%) acids.6
Preparation
Solid
Neem capsule
Most capsules are ingested in pairs twice a day as treatment for acute or chronic ailments.7
Liquid
Neem oil
Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem (Azadirachtaindica).
Semisolid
Creams
Antifungal: Concentration of neem oil and ketakonazole shows antifungal activity.
Antiseptic: Quercetin and ß-sitosterol, polyphenolic flavonoids, were purified from neem fresh leaves and were known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties and seeds hold valuable constituents including gedunin and azadirachtin.
Azadirachta indica
Antioxidant
It is a extract of yong flowers and leaves have strong antioxidant potential. It is a indicator of oxidative stress ,neem is a vegetable bitter tonic to promote good health.
Skin disorders
Neem can treat the many diseases and disorders like scabies and lice ; it is used in combination with curcuma longa (turmeric). It cured in 3 to 15 days of applictation and no allergic and adverse effect is observed.
Antiulcer
The bark of the neem extract reduced human gastric acid hypersecretion and gastroduodenal and gastro esophageal also.
Home- remedies
It is useful for the athletes’ foot and other foot problems.
For various infections like acne, pimples, and pure neem powder mixrd with water affected area.
For the purpose of cleaning the teeth and bright and shiny.
Prevent the breeding of mosquitoes by adding crushed neem seeds and pueneem oil to all breeding areas.
Add the neem leaves for the preservation and storage of wheat, jawar, bajra, corn etc.
