Neem : The Miracle Tree
It is popularly known as the miracle tree. It is known as Nimba in India. The Sanskrit name of Neem is Arishtha meaning the reliever of the sickness. Margosa tree . Neem tree is commonly known as margosa tree in English language and Azadirachta indica in biological terms. Odia name: Nimba .

Neem needs no introduction in today’s world. A very famous herb of India with worldwide fame and having magical properties known for its miraculous medicinal values from past 5000 years. Neem is known as free tree of India as it is found almost everywhere in India. It is considered as a magic tree, which has properties that not only relieves but also cures from illness. It is part of every Indian home due to its great application and hence is considered as a place of worship.

Margosa tree attains a maximum height of 40 to 50 fts. It is an evergreen tree whose branches spread all over. Neem has been used as pesticide since early ages because of its remarkable property of fighting away with pest and microorganism, that are supposed to be harmful for agricultural and homely purpose and hence makes neem the most wonderful partner of human in his evolution.

Margosa tree possesses the sheet (cold) virya potency. It contains tickt and kashaya rasa, it possesses the laghu (light) gunna (property). Combination of these makes neem a unique herb. Due to tickt rasa it suppresses kapha and due to sheet virya potency it suppresses pitta dosha. Chemically neem contains complex compounds called triterpenes, limonoids, nonterpenoids, hexanortriterpenoids, and pentattriterpenoids. The most important active ingredient of neem is azadirachitin, which makes neem possess the power, what it projects in its usage. Every part of the plant is used i.e. flower, leaves, bark, seed, oil, branches and the excludant called neera, which flows out of the bark

Neem is a multipurpose herb, which is recommended in every type of ailment. Following are the wonders of neem, which ayurveda has to offer to this world and modern life style of living.

Neem has been an inherent part of the traditional medicine system for centuries and it has now been universally accepted as a 'Wonder tree', having multiple functions and uses. It is now being used by leading pharmaceutical companies for producing high quality allopathic medicines.

Neem parts are widely used in veterinary medicine and helps to cure different animal diseases. Neem is said to have anti viral properties, which in turn helps to cure many animal diseases. Neem is also used as an animal feed because it contains significant amount of protein, minerals except zinc, carotene etc. Neem leaf extracts are used by manufacturers in making poultry immuno stimulants.

Description : It is a tall evergreen tree with the small bright green leaves. It is up to 100 feet tall. It blossoms in spring with the small white flowers. It has a straight trunk. Its bark is hard rough and scaly, fissured even in small trees. The colour of the bark is brown grayish. The leaves are alternate and consists of several leaflets with serrated edges. Its flowers are small and white in colour. The fruit is oval, round and thin skinned.

Other Species : A. juss, A. azedarac are the other related species of Neem tree. A. juices, A. azedarac are the other related species of Neem tree.

Location : Neem tree is found throughout India. It is a popular village tree. Although it is also widely grown in Ranthambore National Park, Bandhavgarh national Park, Mrugavani Naional Park, Bannerghata National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary and Guindy National Park.

Cultivation : Neem tree can easily be grown in the dry, stony, shallow and clayey soils. It needs very little water and plenty of sunlight. It grows slowly during the first year of planting. It can be propagated through the seeds and cuttings. Young neem tree can not tolerate excessive cold. .

Medicinal uses in past : The indigenous people of Nilgiris consume the dried and powered tubulers of the terrestrial orchids as an energizing tonic. Neem also holds medicinal value. Each part of neem is used in the medicines. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicines for more than 4000 years. Neem oil extracted from its seeds is used in medicines, pest control and cosmetics etc. Its leaves are used in the treat Chickenpox.. According to the Hindus, it is believed that the Goddess of the chickenpox, Sithala lives in the Neem tree. Neem tea is usually taken to reduce the headache and fever. Its flowers are used to cure intestinal problems. Neem bark acts as an analgesic and can cure high fever as of malaria. Even the skin diseases can be cured from the Neem leaves. Indians even believe that the Neem can even purify diseases.

Other uses : People in India use its twigs to brush their teeth. Neem is considered as the useful tree in rehabilitating the waste land areas. Neem seed pulp is useful for methane gas production. It is also useful as carbohydrate which is rich base for other industrial fermentations. Neem bark contains tannins which are used in tanning and dyeing. In south India its wood is used to make the furniture. The bark of the yields the fiber that is woven into ropes. Neem cake is widely used in India as fertilizer for sugarcane, vegetable and other cash crops. Many countries have been consistently growing the Neem tree against the global warming. The worldwide Neem Foundation has helped in making the people aware about the importance of neem and its uses globally.
Cultural Importance : One can find Neem in almost all the parts of India. It is said that planting Neem tree in the house is a ensured passage to heaven. Its leaves are stung on the main entrance to remain away from the evil spirits. Brides take bath in the water filled with the Neem leaves. Newly born babies are laid upon the Neem leaves to provide them with the protective aura. Neem gives out more oxygen than other trees. The neem tree is also connected with the Sun, in the story of Neembark 'The Sun in the Neem tree'. Neem is the wonder tree and finds mention in the number of ancient texts.

Best action:
· Neem act as anti bacterial, anti parasitic, anti fungal, anti protozoal and anti viral thus helps in protection from all the microorganisms, which are always ready to invade in our body causing serious ailments.

· Local application of neem powder or neem oil has miraculous results. As it is a famous anti microbial herb, it renders all the microorganisms inactive therefore helping in proper healing of wound without causing any infections and septic conditions.

· Taking bath of neem leaves water is a very common sight in Indian homes that helps our body to counter mild infections, which our body might get in day-to-day activity.

· Its tropical application makes us relieved from acne, eczema and even ringworms

· In skin related diseases, neem works as blessing of God on mankind. It has an action on almost every kind of skin disease thus making its indication in eradicating every kind of itch, rash, infection and allergy.

· Neem water is extensively used in burn injuries, thus to protect them from any kind of infection and also promote healing.

· Neem oil is extensively used in hair fall and early graying of hairs with very satisfying results. It also find its application in dandruff and in lice growth

Internal action:
· Due to presence of tickt rasa it is beneficial in indigestion, constipation and restoring taste of mouth.

· It helps in fighting with the intestinal worms there by act as a deworming agent
· It is highly recommended in hyperacidity and epigastric pain as it suppresses pitta that is the main culprit in the aggravation of such illness.

· Good results have also been seen in gastritis

· Widely and extensively used as blood purifier as it possess the properties like tickt rasa which helps in detoxifying any toxins floating in our blood stream which may lead to illness.

· It gives wonderful results in diabetes incipidus and diabetes mellitus due to presence of tickt rasa.

· It is very helpful in curing urinary tract infection

· It stimulates liver for proper functioning therefore helps in maintaining proper secretions of liver

· It acts on all kinds of skin disorders and provides great relief.

· It works as an anti inflammatory and pain relieving agent

· It also helps in suppressing extra heat generated in body due to any reason thus helps in maintaing normal condition in hyperthermia. Very useful in suppressing fever.

· Anti malarial action of neem has also been seen

· Since old times neem leaves have been used as an agent that helps in increasing vision as it helps in suppressing kapha disorders thus releasing congestion on eyeballs caused due to mucus accumulation in sinuses.

· Coughing is relieved by use of neem water

· It helps in reducing excess micturation

· It has given very good results in diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis

· It works as an immunoboosting agent therefore making our immune system very strong and efficient to fight against any foreign invasion making our body strong and disease free

MEDICINAL USES OF NEEM OIL
Neem oil is well known Indian System of medicine as disinfectant, anti-bacterial, ant-fungal, repellent to keep surroundings free from mosquitoes and flies, treatment of skin diseases and inflammations.

About 3 to 5 drops of neem oil taken internally result in gradual reduction of oral antidiabetic drugs, alternatively 2-3 drops of Neem can be taken with betel leaf.

Neem oil 3-5 drops, mixed with 2 tea spoons of sugar taken once a day, for 15 days help to cure tropical eosinophilia

Apply 2-3 drops of neem oil externally for sun burn, chapped lips, minor cuts and bruies, cracked nipples, dry skin, dapper rash and as after shave.

Apply few drops of neem oil soaked in cotton for dental and gum troubles.

For Rheumatic Pains, Inflammation, Swelling, Massage of neem oil mixed with Eucalyptus Oil for Relief.

For ear ache apply 1-2 drops of warm neem oil into ear.

Few drops of neem oil o used Mosquito mats or kerosene lamps containing 1% Neem repel mosquitoes.

To cure piles take 5-10 drops neem oil and gently rub on the hermorrohoids for about a week.

For relief of elephantiasis, liberally massage Neem on the affected leg. Always sleep with affected leg placed at a higher position than your body.

A wick made from neem oil put in fistula helps to heal it wothout operation

Apply few drops of neem oil to cure pimples, black spots on the face.

Neem is mosquito repellent. Rub few drops of oil on the exposed parts of body for overnight protection. Alternatively 5% Neem in coconut oil also may be used. Apply Neem children before going to bed.

Mix few drops of neem oil with coconut oil to stop falling hair and to enhance growth. It prevents greying of hair. In case of baldness due to disease,other than hereditary continue the treatment for three months.

To get rid of lice and dandruff massage neem oil on the scalp at night and wash hair in the morning. This may be done for a period of 3 months.

Externally neem oil is applied as antiseptic dressing in Leprosy, Urticaria, Eczema, Scabies, Ring worm, and maggot infected wounds.

Neem oil 3 to 5 drops taken internally for curing Malaria, other than skin diseases.

ANTIFERTILITY AND FAMILY PLANNING
Cotton soaked in neem oil 5 to 10 drops is kept in the vagina 15 minutes before intercourse kills and hampers the speed of sperms (spermicide). This is an effective contraceptive. Neem has antifertility property and without interfering with spermatogenesis. The mechanism of the action is non-hormonal, and is reversible. Fertility can be restored after stopping the treatment. Neem soaked in cotton wick can be used as suppository.

Neem oil is antiseptic to tone up Vagina, controls different types of metritis, relieves cervical inflammation, leucorrohea and other vaginal disorders and Sexually Transmitted Diseases and squamosa cell carcinoma of the cervix which is one of the most common cancers in women.