The botanical name for Neem is Azadiracta Indica. Ancient Indians have long revered the Neem Tree. For centuries, millions have used various parts of the plant. Neem twigs for cleaning teeth, smeared skin disorders with Neem leaf juice, taken Neem as a tonic and placed Neem leaves in their beds, books, grain bins, cupboards, closets, to keep away insects and moths. Various parts of the plant have also been used for treatment of ailments like fever, infections and other complaints.

The Neem Tree was introduced in West Africa in the early part of this century and quickly went on to become a valuable source of both shade and firewood. It helped arrest the spread of the Sahara Desert in Somalia and Mauritania and was later used extensively for a forestation programs in Saudi Arabia and the Caribbean.

Neem is a member of the mahogany family and is a hardy, fast-growing evergreen tree. It has a straight trunk, long spreading branches, grows to a height of 50 feet or more and up to 30 feet wide. These stately umbrella-shaped trees have fragrant white flowers about one-half inch across and may live for more than 200 years. While native to India, neem grows in many Asian countries, throughout arid zones of Africa and has been planted in tropical areas of the Western world as well. It thrives in poor soil and has deep roots that allow it to withstand long periods of drought and neutralize soil acidity with their alkaline leaves. Both seeds and leaves of Neem Tree have antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive and anti-ulcer effects, making them medicinal. Even the Neem bark has antiseptic compounds. In Germany tests have proved that Neem extracts prevent tooth decay and gum inflammation.

Refined, Neem oil loses its unpleasant smell and is used in soaps, cosmetics, toothpaste, disinfectants and various industrial products, without any harmful side effects.

Neem wood is termite resistant and is used for carpentry and construction work. It is only in the recent years Scientists in the Western countries started believing that this tree could be the source for providing tremendous benefit to the people in general.

Today Researchers are saying that Neem could be called a "Wonder Tree" and eventually expect it to benefit everyone on the plant. This tree is expected to usher in a new era in pest control, provide millions with inexpensive medicines, cut down the rate of population growth, reduce erosion, deforestation and control the global warming process.

Price $17.95

Neem The Ultimate Herb by John Conrick Neem, The Ultimate Herb is the most comprehensive book about neem, the world's most amazing plant.

Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems

Besides being able to grow in difficult conditions, Neem has the ability to control farm and household insects.

Researchers in the US Department of Agriculture have been studying this property of Neem since 1972. In laboratory experiments, it has been found that the various parts of this Neem tree has remarkable powers for controlling insects, that entomologists believe that it is now possible to develop safe natural "pesticides".

Neem leaves contain an ingredient that disrupts the fungi that produce aflatoxin on mouldy peanuts, corn, and other foods — it leaves the fungi alive, but switches off their ability to produce aflatoxin, the most powerful carcinogen known.

Neem products benefit human health.

The seeds and leaves contain compounds with demonstrated antiseptic, antiviral, and antifungal activity. There is also evidence that Neem has anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, and anti-ulcer effects.

Research has shown that compounds of Neem bark are strongly antiseptic. Neem is also effective in taking care of dental hygiene. In Germany, tests have proved that Neem extracts prevent tooth decay, as well as prevent inflammations of the gums.

The crude extract of the oil from Neem seeds can be used for various purposes like heating, lighting, or crude lubricating jobs. Refined, it loses its unpleasant smell and is used in soaps, cosmetics, toothpaste, disinfectants, and various other industrial products without having any harmful side effects.

In conclusion, Neem tree has enormous potential to benefit entire mankind.

The above write-up is based on the Report of an Ad Hoc Panel of the Board of Science and Technology for International Development, National Research Council, USA, published as Neem: A Tree For Solving Global Problems, by National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., in 1992.

Price $22.95

A Tree for Solving Global Problems by Noel Vietmeyer - Study Director This book is an overview of the potential for the neem tree of India to solve global problems. The tree produces an oil that acts as non-toxic insect control.