One of two species in the Azadirachta, Neem (A. indica) is native to India and Asia, and now grown and sometimes naturalized in many other areas of the world. The name of the genus is derived from a word meaning ‘the free tree of India’, referring to its lack of pest and disease problems.
The Neem tree is very drought tolerant and has the ability to survive in areas with high temperatures, making it an interesting shade tree option for hot dry locations. However, it does have the ability to spread, making it an invasive problems in some areas of the world. It is identified as a good tree for regenerative agriculture, as it is a source of safe and natural phytochemicals which can be used to protect other crops.
Neem is famous for its phytochemical-rich extracts and essential oils, and various plant parts are prepared for numerous topical and internal applications. Surprisingly, it is also consumed as a food in some areas, especially the young shoots, or processed in a way that reduces its bitter flavor, such as pickling, frying, or combining with another component, such as Tamarind to offset its flavor. The flowers are used in foods and flavorings as well, and fruits when they are fully ripe may be consumed or processed into beverages. With 15% protein, the leaves are also consumed as a famine food or processed to reduce bitterness.
Neem has a long traditional use in India, and in Ayurveda every part of the Neem plant have properties that are utilized. It is considered to be very cooling, which can clear the excess heat of imbalanced Pitta. It is light and dry and thought to have an affinity to the blood, which can reduce the excess Pita if in the blood or expressed on the skin. For this reason, it is often used in topical applications to support skin health, and calming irritated skin, while also supporting immunity.
Neem has an amazing number of uses, and is popular in preparations for supporting healthy skin, hair, joints, immune system and even oral hygiene. A Neem chewing stick is often used for oral hygiene in India. It is also sometimes used as in deodorants and preparations for the feet. Beyond personal health, Neem is also utilized as an insect repellant, and it is included in many festivals in India for its symbolic/spiritual meanings. It is important to get the right kind of preparation for its safe use internally, but it has been used safely like this for a very long time. Besides its topical and traditional uses, functional medicine doctors and practitioners utilize Neem today for supporting microbiome balance based on lab results.
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K. Patel Phyto Extractions Pvt. Ltd.
Photo by Mohammad Ibrahim