The Village pharmacy

atula

I just wanted to share more about a tree that grows commonly in India called the Neem Tree. Since I was child ihave heard from my parents and grandparent how useful this tree is to us. THIs is in fact the only tree whose each and every part can be used and is of utmost medicianl benefit.

That is why it is also known as the Village pharmacy. Earlier when peole did not have much access to alopathic medicines, this was the only tree that could cure many ailments....

HEre is a list of some of the wonderous things a neem tree can be used for,
Neem Oil - extracted from seed and has medicinl and pesticidal properties.
NEem Seed cake - after oil extraction the leftovers when added to soil makes it more fertile.
Neem leaves - to treat chiken pox
Neem twigs as toothbrushes
Neem barks to control pet ticks
Neem leaf extracts for spermicidal effects

There is more...I'll add on to the list as I know more about the tree.....

Eric Frei

Neem trees were sold a lot down the Gold Coast here to keep the midgies down ... biting tiny little sandfly type things.

Yes, there's a few common cure all trees and neem is one, so is tea tree and who's never used eucalyptus oil to remove chewing gum or unblock your stuffy nose.

Has anyone got a pic or worked on a mature neem tree? I personally wouldn't know what one looked like even if it fell on me head!

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ninikins

Do you have any photos of this tree? I'm curious to see...never heard of it!

TreeCo

I've heard good things about Neem based pesticides but have never used them.

Sean Freeman

Here are some pics from the front of my place...this Neem Azadirachta Indica is about 10yrs old, they grow very quickly and nearly all the seed is viable, mine has just come into flower.

Attached Thumbnails

       

Eric Frei

Errr, what do they say? Oh yeah, it's the plumber who has leaking taps. LOL

Crikey mate, you gotta do some weeding.

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Sean Freeman

Ha, ha yep thats they way I like my yard wild and unkept...trees grow, trees fail....at one time I had 70 trees planted in that yard. Plenty of experiments going on there...the Neem is just one.

atula

Thanx sean...that is the neem tree....
In India we have another variety of the neem that is known as 'meetha neem' or the sweet neem. This neem's leaves are what is known as the famous curry leaves put in many of delectable dishes for flavor.

Here almost every house has a neem tree and a meetha neem tree.....

Sean Freeman

Yes got about 6 of the curry leaf great tough little plant all mine are under 300mm high

Troppo

Thanks for the great pix.
I use Neem insecticide in Thailand, black juice!