This essay provides a brief description of neem, while also focusing on the numerous benefits of it in regards to improving human and animal health. Neem (Azadirachta indica), a central Ayurvedic medicine and rising global panacea, is a fast-growing tree

Neem and Its Fundamental Uses

December 3, 2008

PLSOILIN 297C

This essay provides a brief description of neem, while also focusing on the numerous benefits of it in regards to improving human and animal health. Neem (Azadirachta indica), a central Ayurvedic medicine and rising global panacea, is a fast-growing tree that reaches an average height of 15-20 meters and can be found in at least 30 countries worldwide. These countries include Asia, where it is native to the Indian sub-continent, Africa, Central/South America and some successful plantations in the United States. The neem is well adapted to a wide range of climates since it thrives well in sub-arid to sub-humid conditions while also tolerable to cold weather at 00C up to altitudes of 1500 m. It is notably resistant to the adverse affects of extreme droughts and is able to grow in places where the average rainfall is well below 300 mm. As a result of its lax demands on soil fertility, the neem tree can grow in a wide variety of places. These can range from eroded hilltops with infertile lands to stony, flat lands and firm laterite. The best results can be yielded from black cotton soil with a pH lower than 8.5, with deep well-drained soil and good sub-soil water.

Neem truly is a miracle plant and most every part of it contains powerful chemical properties being proved useful for humanity. The leaf is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties, aids in digestion and possesses excellent use as a carminative, delays the clotting time of blood and used as anodyne for fomenting swollen glands, bruises and sprains. The flower contains waxy material consisting of several fatty acids (linoleic, stearic, palmitic) and amino acids (tyrosine, methionion, phenylalanine) essential to the human body. Neem leaves include 7.1% protein, 22.9% carbohydrates many diverse minerals (calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C, carotene) and similar fatty and amino acids as the flower does. The tree bark contains anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor polysaccharides made up of glucose, arabinose and fructose at a 1:1:1 molar ratio while the heartwood contains several minerals including calcium, potassium and iron salts. The tree sap contains sugars, amino and organic acids useful in the treatment of general weakness and skin disease. The tree produces a gum, upon hydrolysis, consisting of L-arabinose, L-fructose, D-galactose and D-glucoronic acid which is useful in catarrhal and other skin infections (as it is a known stimulant, tonic, and demulcent). The fruit is used to manufacture herbal shampoos, soaps and creams, non-toxic wildlife food for animals, pest/insect repellants and cures for diabetes, leprosy and skin disorders, with the skin also having a high fiber content. The seed has high lipid content and contains the chemical compound Azadirachtin, which is a biodegradable pesticide against 200 insect species and has a low toxicity to mammals. Likewise the essential oils consist of sesquiterpene derivatives, which possess qualities of natural agricultural pesticides, anti-fertility properties and antihyperlycaemic agents to treat diabetes in humans and dogs.

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Through the diagnosis of the sections of neem, scientists have been able to utilize the chemicals into medicinal uses, predicting beneficial for the improvement of human struggles and mortal limitations. For example, a 1993 preliminary study by the National Institutes of Health reported positive results in vitro tests where neem bark extracts killed the AIDS virus. This can be due to the dual effect of modulating polysaccharide compounds responsible for increasing antibody production and stimulating immune function by enhancing cellular mediated response to ward off the infections accompanying AIDS. Neem has been proven effective against relieving inflamed joints than compared to aspirin, ibuprofen and other over-the-counter drugs which can cause bleeding in the upper GI tract. It has the unique power to restore balance in the immune system, which can directly affect the progression of arthritis. Several studies have been undertaken to identify the compound that possesses the anti-inflammatory effects. Suggestions include the phenol compound catechin, quercetin and the polysaccharides essential to neem. Neem has also proven to be a powerful, yet inexpensive birth control agent for both men and women since the first century B.C. Clinical trials have shown that the extract reduces fertility in male monkeys while not affecting libido or sperm production, which shows promise to be the first male birth control pill. Neem seed oil gelatin capsules, vaginal creams and suppositories are extremely popular in India as a contraceptive device and women in Madagascar chew neem leaves to prevent pregnancies or induce miscarriages. Neem has recently been tested on many types of cancers, such as skin and lymphocytic cancers using the herb internally and scientists have found that polysaccharides and liminoids in neem bark, leaves and oils have reduced tumors and effective against lymphocytic leukemia. One researcher used an extract of neem leaves to prevent the adhesion of cancer cells to other body cells, which significantly limits the cancer from spreading throughout the body.

A very important use of neem is its ability to combat the deadly malaria disease. A severe pandemic in India, water and alcohol based neem leaf extracts have been shown to block the development of the gamete in an infected person, where 100% of it is dead within 72 hours. It can also increase the state of oxidation in red blood cells, to prevent the formation of the virus. Some scientists have uncovered indirect reasons as to why neem is so effective against malaria. Such reasons include the plants abilities to lower fevers and increase one’s appetite (enabling a stronger body to fight the parasite) or the appropriate stimulation of the immune system. Neem is universally known in treating a variety of skin problem including the fungi which causes athlete’s foot, yeast infections, psoriasis, acne and eczema. It is among the most powerful antifungal extracts in Indian pharmacopeia. Due to its antibacterial properties, it is highly successful in treating sores, infected burns, scrofula, warts, indolent ulcers, ringworm and other epidermal conditions while not leaving any rashes or blemishes like other synthetic chemicals do. Practitioners and shamans believed that neem’s bitter qualities counteract the high sugar levels in the body that are known to cause skin diseases. In additional to its uses in treating skin problems, it is equally powerful in healing viral diseases such as smallpox, chickenpox, fowl-pox, Staphylococcus bacterium, herpes virus and hepatitis B since the neem leaf extract absorb the virus and prevents them from spreading to unaffected cells.

There are many other uses that the products of neem can be utilized to benefit humans and animals alike. Neem has blessed the Indian sub-continent for centuries and has since become linked to the history of the Indian civilization. In relatively recent times, it has become widely used and recognized around the world as an omnipotent answer to diseases. It is no wonder that 75% of Ayurvedic formulations use some form of neem and it is known to cure more than 100 diseases! With more research money being invested in the science behind neem, there is no doubt that we would only uncover an exponential amount of information relative to this beautiful plant, as well as debunk several myths about it.