Various plants parts have been used traditionally since ancient times, though ethnobotancial
knowledge is not well documented. A synthesis of native uses of various parts of the neem plant is
given below.
knowledge is not well documented. A synthesis of native uses of various parts of the neem plant is
given below.
Root. Fresh roots yield exudates for preparation of a drink with alcohol.
Bark. Bark is used as a tonic in central and southern India. It is also used for dressing wounds in
northern plains. In north-western parts, the males use this as an oral contraceptive for its anti-fertility
properties. Mixed with leaves, bark is given in liver complaints in central and western parts of India. It
is considered to cure several skin diseases and is effective ir, Leprosy treatment. In Meghalaya, the
bark is mixed with the juice of rhizome of Cyprus rotundus and Costus speciosus and the decoction
thus derived is effective against jaundice.
northern plains. In north-western parts, the males use this as an oral contraceptive for its anti-fertility
properties. Mixed with leaves, bark is given in liver complaints in central and western parts of India. It
is considered to cure several skin diseases and is effective ir, Leprosy treatment. In Meghalaya, the
bark is mixed with the juice of rhizome of Cyprus rotundus and Costus speciosus and the decoction
thus derived is effective against jaundice.
Leaves. In Assam and tribal areas of Meghalaya, the leaves are boiled in water and later the cooled
water is used to bathe patients after measles and chicken pox. They are also used as blood purifier
and in heart aliments. In Sikkim, they are used rheumatism. Also in the northeast region as by the
‘Khasis’ and ‘Jaintia’ tribes the decoction of leaves and flower is used to cure tuberculosis and
considerer effective against diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves along with the barks of Aegle
marmelos (Bael). Shorea robusta (Sol) and Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus (Soh-Ja:Jut) are mixed
together and stored in a bottle and given when suffering from stomach ailments. In Maharashtra and
adjoining central India, the leaves are given in bad cold treatment. Decoction of leaves is an effective
of round worms. In Maharashtra and central India, leaves are considered to possess anti-diabetic
activity.
water is used to bathe patients after measles and chicken pox. They are also used as blood purifier
and in heart aliments. In Sikkim, they are used rheumatism. Also in the northeast region as by the
‘Khasis’ and ‘Jaintia’ tribes the decoction of leaves and flower is used to cure tuberculosis and
considerer effective against diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves along with the barks of Aegle
marmelos (Bael). Shorea robusta (Sol) and Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus (Soh-Ja:Jut) are mixed
together and stored in a bottle and given when suffering from stomach ailments. In Maharashtra and
adjoining central India, the leaves are given in bad cold treatment. Decoction of leaves is an effective
of round worms. In Maharashtra and central India, leaves are considered to possess anti-diabetic
activity.
The leaves posses mosquito repellent properties and are used to natural pesticides. They are
antiseptic and are kept in books and between clothes and also occasionally in foodgrains, as
safeguard against insect attack. In southern India, these are used against skin diseases like scabies.
Young leaves are used as a pot-herb, and as fodder in drier areas. The decoction of leaves is take as
tea and is said to relieve malaria, and is effective against gout and jaundice in parts of northern,
north-western India. In northern India, leaves are an antidote for snake bite.
antiseptic and are kept in books and between clothes and also occasionally in foodgrains, as
safeguard against insect attack. In southern India, these are used against skin diseases like scabies.
Young leaves are used as a pot-herb, and as fodder in drier areas. The decoction of leaves is take as
tea and is said to relieve malaria, and is effective against gout and jaundice in parts of northern,
north-western India. In northern India, leaves are an antidote for snake bite.
Stem. Tender twigs as tooth brushes are anti-pyretic and are used widely in northern and central India.
Flower. Flowers are used as condiments. In Assam/north-eastern region, these are used against
dyspepsia. Flowers with leaves are used for dressing wounds in northern and central India and in
skin troubles and also in leprosy.
dyspepsia. Flowers with leaves are used for dressing wounds in northern and central India and in
skin troubles and also in leprosy.
Fruit/Seed. Fruit-Pulp is anti-septic and is used for dressing wounds/skin diseases. Fruits pulp is
also a famine food and is made into an alcoholic drink. It is also eaten by children.
also a famine food and is made into an alcoholic drink. It is also eaten by children.
The neem seed oil possesses medicinal properties and is used for debility cure in south India. It is
also administered for piles in the peninsular region. It is insecticidal and disinfectant and is greatly
used for curing skin diseases, in leucoderma, leprosy and as cure against rheumatism. It expels
worm being anthelmentic. It also destroys lice and is used to wash hair. It is used to cure ulcers and
small-pox in north-eastern India and is considered helpful against cancer in Sikkim and adjoining
region. It is also used against snake and scorpion bite. Seed-oil is much used for making soaps
locally and also by the industry. Click here for pure neem oil.
also administered for piles in the peninsular region. It is insecticidal and disinfectant and is greatly
used for curing skin diseases, in leucoderma, leprosy and as cure against rheumatism. It expels
worm being anthelmentic. It also destroys lice and is used to wash hair. It is used to cure ulcers and
small-pox in north-eastern India and is considered helpful against cancer in Sikkim and adjoining
region. It is also used against snake and scorpion bite. Seed-oil is much used for making soaps
locally and also by the industry. Click here for pure neem oil.
Miscellaneous. The bark fibre is used for making ropes. The leaves and twigs are good fertilizers and
mulch. The seed cake is also an excellent fertilizer and repels soil insects, especially termites and is
used in south India as a pesticide. In northern and central India, bark, leaves, flowers and fruits-seeds
are used as a febrifuge.
mulch. The seed cake is also an excellent fertilizer and repels soil insects, especially termites and is
used in south India as a pesticide. In northern and central India, bark, leaves, flowers and fruits-seeds
are used as a febrifuge.
The plant/tree is used in farm-forestry as fuel wood and as an environmental purifier or
air-ameliorator. It is a useful tree in reforestation programmes and in rehabilitating wasteland areas.
Thus the presence of the tree is inhabited lands, both urban and rural, along roadsides and in parks,
is considered beneficial to keep the area disease-free. The natives/tribal consider that sleeping under
the tree wards off diseases. It is an anti-pollutant. It is also effective against global warming.
air-ameliorator. It is a useful tree in reforestation programmes and in rehabilitating wasteland areas.
Thus the presence of the tree is inhabited lands, both urban and rural, along roadsides and in parks,
is considered beneficial to keep the area disease-free. The natives/tribal consider that sleeping under
the tree wards off diseases. It is an anti-pollutant. It is also effective against global warming.
The timber is used for house building, for making board panels, toys, ploughs, boxes, chests etc. as it
is considered pest-free and resistant to white ants. Seed oil is used for burning purposes. It is also
used as a dry by silk dyers and for cotton as source of deep yellow colour.
is considered pest-free and resistant to white ants. Seed oil is used for burning purposes. It is also
used as a dry by silk dyers and for cotton as source of deep yellow colour.
The plant is considered sacred and is used by the Hindus in several ceremonies, rituals and in
worship on the New Year day. In Mysore it is used in the worship of the daughter of Lord with austerity
and it is traditional among certain section of people to chew few leaflets of neem as an emblem of
grief on returning from funerals. A rural festival ‘Ghatasthapana’ is associated with installation of a
sacred pot at a public place- a pot filled with water on which five twigs of neem and a coconut are put.
This is covered with flowers and worshipped and even sacrifices are made before it. It is believed that
the festival averts disease and ill-luck.
worship on the New Year day. In Mysore it is used in the worship of the daughter of Lord with austerity
and it is traditional among certain section of people to chew few leaflets of neem as an emblem of
grief on returning from funerals. A rural festival ‘Ghatasthapana’ is associated with installation of a
sacred pot at a public place- a pot filled with water on which five twigs of neem and a coconut are put.
This is covered with flowers and worshipped and even sacrifices are made before it. It is believed that
the festival averts disease and ill-luck.
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