Neem Tree: A plant that we need today

Swapna Goswami

(swapna.goswami2015@gmail.com)

Neem is a native plant of India. Its scientific name is Azadirachta indica. This plant is also known as Indian lilac. Neem is a tree of the mahogany family, Meliaceae. It can grow up to 30 metres in height and 2.5 metres in girth. This plant has a life span of around 200 years. Neem grows in almost all types of soil. It can survive on dry, stony land at a shallow depth. Neem trees need little water and plenty of sunlight. It improves the soil’s fertility and water holding capacity. But neem cannot withstand waterlogged areas or poorly drained soil. The young sapling cannot tolerate excessive shade or too much cold.

Some people say that neem is an original tree of Assam and Burma, while others say that neem is native to the whole Indian subcontinent.

Neem is an extremely valuable plant. Every part of this tree, like leaves, seeds, bark, fruits, twigs, gum, roots, and kernels, is used for different purposes. More than 130 different biologically active compounds are found in the neem plant. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Its flowers have a sweet jasmine-like scent and blossom once in the afternoon and then again in the evening. White and delicate neem flowers are used in Indian cuisine in fresh, dried, or powdered form. This plant is very useful in urban forestry because of its remarkable ability to withstand air and water pollution as well as heat.

In the annals of the ancient Siddha system of medicine, the first medicinal plant mentioned in the ancient Tamil literature is neem. (Siddha medicine is one of the oldest medical systems in human history. Its origin goes back to 10,000 B.C. to 4,000 B.C.). It is also found that neem was used as a medicinal herb in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Scientists consider neem a proven solution in three critical arenas of our lives: agriculture, health care, and protecting the environment. Global awareness and increasing interest in organic products have given immense importance to the use of the neem plant.

Application of Neem in Agriculture: This is a rather new breakthrough that neem is applicable in the agriculture sector other than its usefulness as a medicinal herb. Researchers worldwide are now focusing on the importance of neem in the agriculture sector. Products derived from neem act as powerful insect growth regulators (IGRs). Some entomologists think that neem has such potential for controlling insects that it will usher in a new era of safe, natural pesticides. Neem is a non-toxic replacement for some synthetic pesticides.

Azadirachtin is the main ingredient found in the neem tree, which acts as an insect repellent and insect feeding inhibitor. It does not kill the insects immediately but rather disrupts their growth and reproduction. Neem oil, which is extracted from seeds, is a powerful natural insecticide. Neem oil can also be used as a biofungicide. The great advantage of neem extract is that it is cost-effective, and even after repeated application to crops and vegetables, these products remain harmless for human consumption.

Neem as Fertiliser: The remaining residues after oil is squeezed out of the seeds are known as seed cake. Neem seed cake performs the dual function of both fertiliser and pesticide, acts as an enhancer of soil health, and reduces the growth of soil pests and bacteria. It also helps increase the nitrogen and phosphorous content of the soil. This is eco friendly and biodegradable.

Neem as Soil Conditioner: Neem seed granules or powered seeds can be used as soil conditioners. It can be applied during the sowing period or sprinkled over the field. Proper irrigation should be followed so that the granules reach the roots. It increases soil fertility and soil health. So, planting neem trees on the high land surrounding paddy fields or other farming fields would be very beneficial and would fortify the farming fields in different ways.

Neem for Healthcare: The word ‘Neem’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nimba’ which means ‘bestower of good health’. Neem is also known as “The Village Pharmacy” or “The Divine Tree” for its extensive medicinal properties. Products made from neem are being investigated all over the world.

Neem has been widely used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Unani medicines from time immemorial for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Due to its rich source of antioxidants along with its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties, neem is widely studied for its disease-preventive potential.

Neem is a total first-aid home remedy. Modern science has confirmed the effectiveness of neem oil in fighting infection due to its active properties against all three varieties of infectious organisms, namely bacteria, fungus, and viruses. It has very powerful skin rejuvenating properties, and as such, neem oil is called the ‘Oil of Wonder”. Neem is a clinically proven solution for ailments like various skin diseases, dental illnesses, inflammation, infection, and fever. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are extensively studied in many countries for cancer treatment, particularly oral cancer treatment. From research work, it has been found that neem oil acts as a powerful spermicidal.

Therefore, neem can be used as a birth control measure with minimal side effects.

Neem as an Air Purifier: Neem is recognised today as a natural product that has much to offer in solving global agricultural, environmental, and public health problems. This magical tree and hundreds of its active compounds are used to manufacture a number of products, from cosmetics to fertiliser. But neem has a more powerful role in tackling climate change. Climate change and extreme weather (drought, heavy rainfall and floods, extreme cold, and snowfall) are common facts that human beings are confronting these days. Human-created pollution and deforestation have caused this imbalance in our environment. The National Research Council of the United States of America has placed ‘neem’ tree among the top ten plants to be studied and used for the sustainable development of the human race. One of the simple ways to cleanse our environment is to plant neem trees everywhere. By utilising available atmospheric CO2 and other pollutants in photosynthesis, the neem tree provides a “natural sink’ for air pollution. The neem tree is the most ideal for reforestation and afforestation for carbon sequestration under present-day climatic conditions. Neem is one of the most resilient and durable plants on our planet. So, to save our ‘Mother Nature’ as well as the human world, it is our august duty to plant neem trees as much as we can.

Use of Neem in Animal Husbandry: Neem is a perfect medicine for any kind of skin disease in our domesticated animals and pets. Neem leaves have a wonderful effect on treating animals’ skin diseases.

Due to its immense importance in the sustainable development of human beings, the United Nations has declared ‘Neem” the tree of the 21st century. Neem can open up many new possibilities. Neem seeds are even exported from some countries. So, there should be more research and studies on the neem plant in our country since it can open up new vistas for the Indian economy.

Sources:

Agricultural applications of neem products, by Subbalakshmi Lokanadhan, P. Muthukrishnan, and S. Jeyaraman.

Neemfoundation.org

Neempedia.com etc.