G.S. Verma

For thousands of years the beneficial properties of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) have been recognized in the Indian tradition. Each part of the neem tree has some medicinal property. Biswas et al (2002) have recently reviewed the biological activities some of the neem compounds, pharmacological actions of the neem extracts, clinical study and plausible medicinal applications of neem along with their safety evaluation.

Neem has two closely related species: A. indica A. Juss and M. azedarac, the former is popularly known as Indian neem (margosa tree) or Indian lilac, and the other as the Persian lilac. Neem has been extensively used in ayurveda, unani and homoeopathic medicine.The Sanskrit name of neem tree is Arishtha meaning 'reliever of sickness' and hence is considered as Sarbaroganibarini. The tree is still regarded as 'village dispensary' in India. The importance of the neem tree has been recognized by US National Academy of Sciences, which published a report in 1992 entitled 'Neem – a tree for solving global problems'.

This book "Miracles of Neem Tree" has a useful introduction to the neem tree, its propoerties and uses and details the use of neem in treating numerous diseases.… (altro)