azadirachta indica

​​​Azadirachta indica is a shade providing tree where its extracts have insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Oil from the seed is used to make a wide variety of products such as soap, toothpaste, lotions and insecticides.

Taxonomy:

• Family : Meliaceae

Common Names:

• Malay : Pokok Semambu, Mindi Kecil
• English : Neem Tree, Nim Tree

Habitat and Distribution:
The exact origin of Azadirachta indica is unknown. It is probably found in Indo-Pakistan Subcontinent and Myanmar, but widely cultivated and naturalized in tropical Asia and Africa.

Uses:

• Food (Herb or Spice) : In Southeast Asia, young twigs and flowers are reportedly boiled and eaten as vegetable. In Africa, the leaves are chewed to prevent conception and induce abortion.​

• Medicinal : In India, people bathe in water with neem extracts to treat health problems such as boils, ringworm, ulcers and rheumatism. It is a sacred tree to the Hindus and often used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

• Timber & Products : The wood is hard and termite resistant, good for construction such as making carts, furniture, plywood and blockboard. In West Africa, the wood is used as firewood and fuel. In East Java, tree is tapped to extract exudates to make paper glue.

• Cultural / Religious : There is 1 individual of Azadirachta indica listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore. It can be found in St. John’s Island.

• Others : It is commonly grown in tropical countries to provide shade. Neem tree contains Azadirachtin, which have insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Oil extracted from the seed is used to make soap, toothpaste, lotions and pesticides in South Asia. The residue after oil extraction (Neem cake) is used as livestock feed, as well as fertilizer.