#neem,नीम(Azadirachta indica)

Botanical Classification :

Botanical Name:Azadirachta indica
Family: Meliaceae
Genus: Azadirachta
Species:  A. indica

Conman  Name:

English : Neem, Indian Lilac, Margosa tree, nim, crackjack, paradise tree, White cedar,                          chinaberry

Hindi: Nimb, Bal-nimb, neem, nind.

Sanskrit : Arishta, nimba, minbaka

Plant :

Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 mt.It is evergreen, but 

in severedrought it may shed most or nearly all of its leaves. The branches are wide 

and spreading. The fairly dense crown is roundish and may reach a diameter of 15–

20 mt.

Flower:

The (white and fragrant) flowers are arranged in more-or-less drooping axillary 

panicles which are up to 25 cm long.

Fruit :

The fruit is a smooth (glabrous) olive-like drupe which varies in shape from elongate 

oval to nearly roundish, and when ripe is 1.4–2.8 cm . The fruit skin is thin and the 

bitter-sweet pulp is yellowish-white and very fibrous.

Seeds:

The white, hard inner shell (endocarp) of the fruit encloses one, rarely two or three; 

elongated seeds (kernels) have a brown seed coat.

Medicinal Uses:

Twigs :neem twigs are used to clean teeth. These  are also used to cure dandruff. Paste or fresh leaves is applied to cure chickpox/small pox. If taken internally enhances the immunity, cures the neuromuscular pains .

Leaves:
Neem leaves are used to treat chickenpox and warts by directly applying to the skin in a paste form or by bathing in water with neem leaves. In order to increase immunity of the body, neem leaves are also taken internally in the form of neem capsules or made into a tea. The tea is traditionally taken internally to reduce fever caused by malaria. This tea is extremely bitter. It is also used to soak feet for treating various foot fungi.  It has also been reported to work against termites. In Ayurveda, neem leaves are used in curing neuromuscular pains. Neem leaves are also used in storage of grains.

Neem tea is taken to reduce the fever caused by Malaria and Filaria.

Bark:The paste of fresh bark is used on boils and pimples. The powder of dry bark is used to control fleas as and ticks on pets. Neem oil is also applied on boils or ulcers. Its use is made to remove dandruff. Neem powder and neem oil can be used to check herpes.

Neem capsules are taken by diabetics as they alter the insulin requirement without affecting the blood glucose level. Neem contains two chemicals viz, Nimbin and Nimbidin which are anti inflammatory in action and relieve the itching and the reddening of the skin. They work as a great emollient by preventing moisture loss and restoring the protective barrier in the skin. They also serve as a strong analgesic or pain killer and provides instant relief from the discomfort experienced by the eczema.
Internal use of neem cures the hypertension, blood clots, heart irregularities and high cholesterol levels. It  also reduces anxiety and emotional fluctuation, thus, stabilising the heartbeat rate.
Consume a decoction of tender neem leaves sweetened with honey to eliminate the toxins in the liver.