Neem Oil
Neem essential oil is extracted from neem seeds and fruits. It is used in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine for more than 2000 years. Neem is a member of the mahogany family Meliaceae. This evergreen tree is native to Burma and India. It is a fast growing tree that quickly reaches the height of 15-20m and can also grow up to 35-40m. The widespread branches of this tree are a good source of shade. Neem leaves are pinnate and alternate in nature. These leaves are reddish brown in color when they are very young. The fully mature leaves are asymmetric in nature and measure about 20cm to 40cm long.
The bark of this tree has a rough texture and is generally whitish gray or reddish brown in color. Neem roots are built with a strong taproot system. This tree has small white flowers that are fragrant. The inflorescences bear about 150 to 250 flowers that measure about 5 to 6 mm long and 8 to 11 mm wide. Neem tree bears bisexual flowers, which means both the male and female flowers are found in a single tree. The fruits of Neem tree look like olives. These elongated fruits are green in color initially and turn yellow when they are fully ripe. The outer skin of the fruit is thin and delicate. The fruit has an oval shaped seed in the center and is covered by the bitter-sweet pulp. This pulp is juicy and fibrous in nature. The neem pulp is followed by a white, hard outer shell which contains brown color neem seed.
Neem oil is also a vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds and fruits of the neem tree by cold press method. It can also be extracted by solvent extraction method where the seed, oil, cake, fruit or kernel are used. This oil is light brown to dark brown in color. Neem oil has a strong, bitter and pungent aroma. The bitter taste of this oil is mainly contributed by the presence of triterpenoid compounds and triglycerides.
Latin name: Azadirachta Indica.
Alternative names: Indian Lilac, Nimbo, Margosa, Meraimarah, Nim, Nind.
Neem tree is easy to grow and can withstand drought conditions. It is found growing plenty in the lowland tropical and woody areas of India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Indonesia and West Africa. Neem trees grow well in tropical, semi-temperate and areas of higher altitudes. Neem oil contains triterpenoid bitters, azadirachtin, flavonoids, meliacins, mono-unsaturated fatty acids, tannins, steroids like beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. This oil has insecticide, emenagogue, antifeedant, pediculocide, contraceptive, anthelmintic, diuretic, antiseptic, parasiticide and febrifuge properties.
Uses: Neem oil is used in the treatment of skin parasites, peptic ulcers, dandruff, wounds, itching, boils, eczema, lice, hemorrhoids, malaria and intestinal worms. Neem oil is also trusted for years together in the treatment of plant diseases. This powerful fungicide is used for destroying certain pests like mealy bugs, Japanese beetles, white flies, thrips, aphids, spider mites, scales and locusts. It is also used for killing ticks, fleas and other insects affecting the pets.
