Neem Extract

Source Azadirachta indica A. Juss (syn. Melia azadirachta), Family- Meliaceae

Common Names : Lilac, Margosa Tree, Neem, Neem Chal

Part Used : Leaves, Flower, Oil, Seed, Bark

Description

It is evergreen and native to India and Burma. It is a fast growing tree that can reach a height of 15-20 m, rarely to 35-40 m. The bark is hard, fissured or scaly, and whitish-grey to reddish-brown. The sapwood is greyish-white and the heartwood reddish when first exposed to the air becoming reddish-brown after exposure. The root system consists of a strong taproot and well developed lateral roots. The alternate, pinnate leaves are 20-40 cm long, with 20-31 medium to dark green leaflets about 3-8 cm long. The flowers (white and fragrant) are arranged axillary, normally more-or-less drooping panicles which are up to 25 cm long. The inflorescences, which branch up to the third degree, bear 150-250 flowers. An individual flower is 5-6 mm long and 8-11 mm wide.The fruit is a glabrous olive-like drupe which varies in shape from elongate oval to nearly roundish, and when ripe are 1.4-2.8 x 1.0-1.5 cm.

 

Chemical composition

The stem bark contain: tannin, non-tannin and red dye. The bark exudes a clear, bright, amber-colored gum, known as the EAST-INDIA GUM. The leaves contain nimboin. nimbinene, 6-desacetylnimbinene, nimbandiol. nimbolide and quercetin. The presence of p-sitosterol, n-hexacosanol and nonacosane is also reported. Analysis of the mature leaves gave moisture, protein, fat, fibers, carbohydrates, and minerals, calcium phosphorus, iron, thiamine

, niacin, carotene and calcium. The amino acids present are glutamic acid, tyrosine, aspartic acid alanine, proline, and glutamine. The fruits contain gedunin, 7-deacetoxy-7a-hydroxy gedunin, azadiradione, azadirone, 17p-hydro.xy- azadiradione, 17-epiazadiradioneandnimbiol .

 

Applications

Vermifuge, Insecticide, Astringent, Tonic and Antispetic. It posseses anti diabitic, anti bacterial and anti viral properties and used sucessfully in cases of stomach, worms and ulcers. Root bark posseses anstringent, tonic and antiperiodic properties. It is also useful in Malarial fever. The oil is used in making Neem based soaps, shampoos and toothpaste.