Neem - Important plant

 

                               Neem / Indian lilac / –Azadirachta indica

                 Neem tree is a deciduous  plant , which are  native to the Indian subcontinent and typically in Tropical and Semi-Tropical region .  Neem are medium fast growing plant that can reach a height of 15 to 19 meter , which are  generally known for its pesticidal and insecticidal properties  . Neem  tree has a strong place in the world of medicine and wellness , which of  all part  are beneficial in different ways  . Neem leaves simple and opposite leaves about 3-8 cm long , young leaves are reddish to purple in color and mature leaves are dark green in color .It is a extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine and remedies since hundreds of years . Generally Leaves and bark is used as blood purifier , fruit are good carminative , purgative , Flower are good tonic and used for treating stomach disorder .  Neem seed pulp is generally used for the production of methane gas in methane gas plant Auxiliary flower are arranged in drooping panicles and small , white colored and fragrant . Neem is a natural air purifier , it can not withstand rising temperature but also improve soil with fertility .

Others Name of Neem – ( Family- Meliaceae ) –

Common name ( Neem , Nimtree , Nimba  , Indian Lilac ) , Sanskrit ( Aristha , Nimbaka ,  Pakvakrita ) , Kannada ( Bevu ) , Malyalam ( Aryaveppu ) , Tamil ( Veppai ) , Marathi ( Kandunimba ) , Gujrati ( Limbda ) , German ( Indischer zedrach ) , French ( Margousier ) , Hindi ( Neem ) , Telgu ( Vepa ) , Botanical name ( Azadirachta indica ) .

Properties of Neem  –

1.      Ayurvedic properties of Neem are ;Rasa – Bitter / Tikta and Astringent / Kashaya  ;  Guna/ Quality – Light to digest / Laghu ; Vipaka / taste conversion into pungency after digestion- Katu ; Verya / Potency – Cold in nature  ; Metabolic Properties –Pungent ; and it balance Pitta and Kapha doshas . Neem flower may used for reducing bile , controlling phlegm and treating intestinal worms .

2.      Other properties - Neem leaf and its constituents exhibits Immunomodulatory , Anti-inflammatory , Anti-hyperglycemic , Anti-ulcer , Anti-malarial ,  Anti-viral ,Anti-oxidant , Anti-mutagenic , Anti-carcinogenic and others properties .  Powerful  Anti-fungal , Antibacterial properties of Neem leaf help in treating infestation, burns , skin disorders  .

3.     Blood purification - Neem leaves purifies the blood , fight against  free radicals , flushes out toxins , detoxifying properties , treat insect bite and help in curing ulcer . By cleansing the blood , it improve blood circulation and facilitates removal of toxin from the bloodstream .Neem remove the harmful toxins and helps for the proper functioning of vital part like liver and kidney . Chew neem leaves daily and detoxify our blood from various impurities .

4.     Natural moisturizing  skin properties of Neem powder help in treating skin dryness by nourishing the skin cells and restoring the skin pH balance . Neem leaves powder works as an good toner for the skin . It can be used in hair problem ranging from hair loss to ultimately ripening of hair .

5.     Prevent and control diabetes - Neem leaves may be help control diabetes due to its reducing blood sugar lowering properties and its tikta , Ama removing nature that helps to improve the metabolism . Neem inhibits some enzymes that may be help digest carbohydrates . Inhibiting of these enzymes reduces the increase of blood sugar levels .

6.     Protect Brain function - Neem showed Anti-oxidant activity on the damage caused due to lack of oxygen supply to the brain . It worked by increasing the levels of vitamin C in the brain that helped destroy certain substances / free radicals . This helped reduce the damage caused due to insufficient supply of blood to the brain .

7.     Improving digestion and treat and prevent ulcer – Chewing neem leaves can be useful in mouth ulcer or any  , because leaves have healing properties which help in quick healing of mouth ulcer . Leaf extract as an antibacterial and bacteriostatic compound , they promote digestibility and metabolism .

8.     Improving liver function - Neem leaves may be help improve liver function due to rich source of Anti-oxidant which help protect the liver against damages by certain free radicals . It is rejuvenates liver and may be improve its function . Neem active  constituent Azadirachtin-A ,is a good hepatoprotective  activity .Neem leaves could be effective in preventing gastrointestinal disorder such as Ulcer and hyperacidity .

9.     Wound healer - Neem leaves is an effective natural wound healer . Neem leaves contain Nimbi din and sodium nimbi date , which possess Anti-inflammatory , Anti-fungal  and  Anti-viral activities. They help reducing pain , swelling , healing and also they minimize the chance of further infection at the injury portion .They helps in repairing the damage tissues in a shorter period time and it promote the wound healing activity .

10.  Improving immune system - Consuming of Neem leaves may be increase in the number of Lymphocytes and monocytes . Both of these  are a type of white blood cells , which are responsible for fighting off infectious microbes and help in improving  our immune system . Neem is loaded with antiviral , antimicrobial , and anti-oxidant properties , so it can boost the immune system and make it better.

11.  Control abdomen worms - Azadirachtin compound present in Neem leaves might lower the risk of parasitic worms due to its Anthelmintic property . Neem has Tikta /Bitter and Kramihar and works as Anti-worm to prevent the growth of worms in the body . Fresh leaf juice mixed with salt is best to treat intestinal worms .

12.  Controlling bleeding from nose – Grind equal quantity of neem leaves and ajmod /Parsley , apply this paste on the temples stops nose bleeding , that is , hemorrhage .

13.  Control leukemia – Neem is very useful for Leukemia patient , its component  exert anticancer effect by induction of apoptosis as well as other forms of cell death including autophagy .Neem content inhibit cancer cell proliferation .

14.  Neem seeds kernels contain near about  45-55% of the seed and remaining is the kernel portion . The fat content of kernel 30-40% and Neem seed contain 40-42 % of oil and remaining is the cellular matrix of the seed . It may be reduce blood sugar level , heal ulcer in digestive tract , kill bacteria .Due to vitamin and fatty acids in neem improve the elasticity of the skin , and thus reduces wrinkles and fine lines .

15.  Neem flowers – Flowers may minimize bile , intestinal worms  and control phlegm  .It can be used to treat acne , pimples , blackheads , itching , bloating , gas , constipation and intestinal worms . Is also effective in controlling blood sugar level .

16.  Neem oil have a properties to prevent baldness and graying of hair and used as Anti-lice and Anti-dandruff treatment . Neem oil is a naturally occurring Pesticides found in seeds. It is yellow to brown color , has a bitter taste , which are used in toothpaste , cosmetic , soap , shampoo and several medicine . Anti-bacterial activities( due to presence of Nimbi din and Azadirachtin ) of Neem can prevent the formation of dental plaque . Neem oil can be used to prevent acne-causing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes . Active component in neem oil , diterpenes –stigmasterol , triterpenes , nimbi din , Margolin are responsible for the anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties od neem . The antiseptic , antimicrobial , antiviral , antipyretic, antifungal and antihistamine properties are contributed to Neem oil due to the presence of  Triterpenoid . Several sterols such as Stigmasterol , Campestral and beta sitosterol are present in Neem oil . Neem oil also contain some fatty acid which are Oleic acid , Hexadecenoic acid /Palmitic acid , stearic acid , Linoleic acid .

Chemical properties of Neem –

1.     Neem leaves consist of mainly ; Quercetin (Polyphenolic  Flavonoids ) and Nimbosterol       ( β-Sitosterol)  with number of Liminoids ( Nimbin and its derivatives ) . Quercetin is known for Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal activities .

2.     The chemical composition of Neem leaves  are – The main bioactive  important active constituents is Azadirachtin  and  the others are  Nimbin , Nimbanene , Nimbandiol         6-desacetylnimbinene  , Nimbolide ,Ascorbic acid , n-Hexacosanol ,Salanin , Amino-acid , Nimbiol and others .

3.     Neem play role as free radical scavenging properties due to good source of Anti-oxidant, in which  Azadirachtin and Nimbolide have Anti-radical scavenging activity . Azadirachtin  is a chemical compound belonging to the Limonoid group , which is a also broad spectrum insecticide .It show an excellent fungicidal action .

4.     Nimbolide is a Triterpene Limonoid , which have Anti-malarial , Anti-bacterial , Anti-cancerous  activity against S. aureus and Anti-feed ant insecticidal activity .

5.     Nutritional value of Neem leaves  - Protein ( 7% ) , Carbohydrates ( 22% ), Minerals       ( Calcium , Phosphorus, Sodium , Magnesium , Zinc , Copper ) , Vitamins ( C , E and  Carotene ) , Amino acid ( Glutamic acid , Tyrosine , Aspartic acid , Alanine , Praline , Glutamine ) and several Fatty acids ( Oleic , Dodecanoic , Tetra decanoic , Elcosanic , Stearic, Palmitic and Linoleic acid ) .

6.     Neem seeds contain high lipid content a large number of bitter principles , like Azadirachtin , Azadiradione , Nimbin , Salannin , Salannol , Vilasinin , Vepinin etc . Azadirachtin  is best pesticides .  Neem seed extract are useful in curing ear-related issues and are commonly used in eye and ear drops . It fight against germs , maintain the alkaline levels in our saliva , keeps bacteria at bay, treat swollen gums .

7.      Neem Essential oil consist of Sesquiterpene derivatives . It also contain several sterols , including camp sterol , beta – sitosterol  and stigmasterol . Neem oil consist of some fatty acid like Linoleic acid , Oleic acid , Palmitic acid , Stearic acid .

8.     Neem Flowers contain Nimo sterol , and Flavonoids like Kaempferol , Melicitrin . Flower also yield a waxy material consist of several Fatty acid like Behenic , Arachidic , Stearic , Palmitic and Oleic .

9.     Neem trunk Bark contain Nimbin , Nimbinin , Nimbidin , Nimosterol , Tannins etc . The stem bark contain Tannins 12-14 % and non Tannin 8-10 % . The Bark contain Anti-inflammatory  Polysaccharides . The Bark is used for malaria , stomach and intestinal ulcers , skin disease and pain .

10.  The Neem tree exudes a  Gum , which contain L-Arabinose, L-Fructose , D-galactose and D-Glucuronic acid . The older tree exudes a sap containing  Sugar ( Glucose , Fructose and Xylose ) , Amino acid ,and Organic acid (Citric , Malonic , Succinic and Fumaric acid) . This sap used in treatment of general weakness and skin disease .

Side Effect of Neem –

1.     Neem are generally safe for adult when taken orally for a short period , but they should not be used in children or pregnant women . Even people having kidney or liver issues should totally avoid using  Neem supplements .

2.     Neem may increase activity in immune system , it is crucial for people with autoimmune disorder such as multiple sclerosis , lupus and rheumatoid arthritis to take caution when consuming Neem . Always take under doctor supervision .

3.     If using Neem oil for hair , while washing off the oil , it may cause burning sensation to  the eyes . Take care .  Always use in Long term  Neem  , only with consultation with doctor . Apply neem to a small area first to test for possible allergic reaction .

Disclaimer –

  This content about Neem is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be constructed as medical advice. Please when use Neem  as medicine , consult doctor before use Neem .