Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Neem

Synonym                                              :           Margosa tree , In dian lilac

Biological Source                                  :           It consist of the leave and other aerial parts
                                                                               of the Azadirachta indica

Scientific Name                                    :           Azadirachta indica

Family                                                  :           Meliaceae.

Geographical Distribution                      :           India , Indomalayan region , Africa etc .

Organoleptic Characters :
                       
  ( A )  Leaves – 20 to 37 cm in length , leaflets are opposite or alternate , lanceolate ,
                           dark-green to greenish yellow in colour and bitter in taste

  ( B )  Flowers -  White cented , 5mm long , pentamerous , staminal tub e is den ted ,
                              Anthers inserted inside .

  ( C )  Fruits – 1.2 to 1.8 cm lonng ,      seeded smooth  , greenish yellow in  colour .
                          Intensely bitter in taste .

  ( D )  Bark -  Rough grayish to brownish in colour , channnelled in shape , about 10mm
                         in thickness with scars and fissured surface . Internally yellowish in colour and fibrous

Chemical constituents –

   ( A ) Neem leaves – Azadirachtin , meliacin , quercitin , nembosteral , ascorcic – acid

    ( B ) Seed -  Azadirachtin , Azadirahtol .

    ( C ) Kernels of Neem – Oil of margosa ( 40 -90% ) .

    ( D )  Neem bark – Nimbidine , Nimbidin , Nimbosterol , Nimbidal , Margosin .


Therapeutic uses
i)                    It is used as antiseptic , stimulant , anti-rheumatic and in skin diseases .
ii)                   Externally neem paste is used in small pox or chicken-pox .
iii)                 It is commercially used as insecticidal agent .
iv)                 Neem oil is used as anti-fertility , anti-fungal and anti-microbial agent .
v)                  It is also used as tooth b rush .

vi)                 It is useful in the treatment of AIDS .

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