Due to the increase in popularity of organic, or "green" pesticides and fungicides, many Americans use neem extracts in their household gardens. But most know little of the tree that these extracts come from, or its remarkable, centuries-old reputation as a healing agent.
Caution
It's important to note that, though it is widely used as medicine in other cultures, the United States still is studying neem for its safety and medical efficacy, and it is not currently recommended by the FDA for medicinal purposes. According to Drugs.com, neem oil should not be used during pregnancy or lactation, as health risks are unknown. In addition, oral ingestion of neem oil has been known to cause serious illness and death in infants. Always consult a physician before using any herbal remedy.
Identification
The neem is a large, tropical evergreen tree that's related to mahogany. Neem trees are native to southern India and surrounding regions, but it grows well in any warm, frost-free climate. It can grow to about 60 feet in height, and has a large canopy with shiny dark green leaves. It can survive and grow with little rainfall, and thrives in intense heat. Neem trees produce small, white fragrant flowers that are used in a special Indian curry called ugadi pachadi.
History
Dr. Tahir Mahmood of Grotek Manufacturing Inc.notes that the neem tree has been used for a number of medicinal, horticultural and everyday purposes for 4,500 years. However, it was not until the early 20th century that neem trees began to be seriously studied by scientists, who have since isolated the chemical compounds that make the tree an effective insect repellent. Today, the neem tree is recognized the world over for its healing properties and its effectiveness as a destructive insect repellent. It has extended its reach beyond India and Asia, and is now being grown in Mexico, California, Central America and Australia.
Medicinal Uses
Among countries where neem trees are native, there are about 700 different preparations of its components, according to Drugs.com. The stem, roots, bark, and young fruits of neem trees have been used as tonics and astringents. Mashed pulp of neem fruits has been used to make a crude antiseptic soap, and the twigs are still commonly used in India as antiseptic toothbrushes. The bark has been used as an analgesic and a malaria treatment, and juice from neem leaves is a common remedy for cutaneous infections. Various parts of the neem tree have also been used to treat diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fungal infections and ulcers. There is not enough support from clinical trials to prove that these remedies are effective against any of these ailments.
Horticultural Uses
Neem oil is widely sold in the United States as an organic insecticide. The Texas A & M University Agriline Extension notes that neem extract has been proved effective against a number of destructive insects, including beetles, aphids moths, weevils, flies, mosquitoes, caterpillars, locusts, grasshoppers, moths and roaches. It is also highly effective against fungal infections such as powdery mildew and rust. Neem is especially popular because, unlike synthetic insecticides and fungicides, it has little or no toxicity toward mammals.
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