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Neem

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Synonyms: Nimba, Margosa tree, Nim

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Biological source:

Botanical name: Azadirachta indica

Part used: fresh, dried leaves and seed oil

Family: Meliaceae

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Geographical source:

Indigenous to Asia.

Widely grows in tropical and subtropical parts of the world.

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Macroscopical features (Leaf)

    • Color: dark green
    • Odor: characteristic
    • Taste: bitter
    • Shape: ovate lanceolate
    • Size: 27-37 cm in length, leaflets 3-8 cm
    • Other features: imparipinnate, attenuate at apex, unequal base, bluntly serrate margin

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Macroscopical features (fruit)

Fruit is drupe 1.2-1.8 cm long

Greenish yellow when unripe and becomes yellow to brown when ripe.

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Microscopical features (Leaf)

    • Epidermis with tangentially elongated cells with distinct cuticle.
    • Unicellular trichomes present.
    • Few glandular trichomes present on the lower epidermis made up of unicellular stalk and multicellular head.
    • Lower epidermis consist of number of anomocytic stomata.
    • Single layered palisade layer below upper epidermis and above lower epidermis
    • 5-6 layered spongy paranchyma
    • Few cells contain rosette type calcium oxalate crystals
    • Patches of non lignified fibers present at dorsal and ventral side around the vascular bundle.

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Chemical constituents

Important constituent include azadirachtin, meliacin, quercetin, nembosterol, ascorbic acid etc

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Pharmacological action / Uses

    • Possess antibacterial and antifungal properties
    • Extremely effective in the treatment of leprosy and skin diseases.
    • Commercially used as insecticidal agent
    • Useful in worms infestation and jaundice