Scientists all over the world have turned their attention towards this wonder tree and are studying the chemical composition of extracts from its leaves, seed kernel, bark and other parts. Their research efforts involve identification, extraction and isolation of active constituents. Currently, neem seems to have vast business potential. Tremendous international interest in it can be gauged by the number of patents being filed on various properties, chemical composition and active principles of this plant. The growing innovative and commercial activity in the neem-related products underscores the need to focus on research efforts and technology trends in this area.
The research on neem oil and cake began in the 1920s at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. In 1942, a scientist of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) isolated nimbin, a biologically active compound from neem. But Indian scientists failed to take their work forward to the stage of industrial or commercial production. Various laboratories including the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, have been doing research for a long time on the important qualities of neem as a pesticide, as a nitrification inhibitor to prevent the loss of applied fertilizers and as a soil improver.
In a landmark discovery in the 1970s, researchers at the University of Keele, UK, isolated azadirachtin, the key active ingredient of neem that most current patents focus on. Another country that was showing interest in neem at this time was Germany, which had organized the first international neem conference in 1980. Subsequent international neem conferences were held at Germany (1983), Kenya (1986), India (1993), Australia (1996), and Canada (1999). This reflects the research interest shown by the scientists in neem.
Οur ancient texts on medicine and the traditional wisdom are repositories of valuable information on the usefulness of our plant-life as a remedy for number of human and animal ailments. Neem is one among the many useful plants bestowed to us by nature. For centuries, neem has been held in high esteem because of its medicinal and insect repellent properties. Medicinal uses of neem have been mentioned in the Puranas. In the Agni puranam it is recommended as a remedy for kushtaroga leprosy, and in the Padma puranam it is reported to increase longevity. In the Rigveda reference has been made to neem as a pest-control agent, and in the Atharvaveda, persistent reference has been made to it as a handy remedy for many ailments. The Charak and Sushruta Samhita describe various properties of neem as a remedy for leprosy, anaemia, jaundice, piles, chronic ulcers, hypertension, blood-clotting, diseases of teeth, scaling of hairs, itching, etc.
Neem has been used in rural households for treating wounds, boils, pains, skin disorders, rheumatism, worm infections and ulcers. Neem is thus often called a village pharmacy due to its common availability and wide efficacy. Besides these therapeutic uses, it has diverse properties. The farmers use the leaves to repel insect-pests by mixing them with food grains. Even today, it is a common sight to see a villager brush his teeth with a twig of neem (Fig 1).
The traditional wisdom has withstood the test of the time and now is being gradually validated by the modern scientific methods. Recent re-searches on neem are excellent examples of blending traditional wisdom with scientific knowledge. It has been proved beyond doubt that many of the traditional and folklore medicinal and insecticidal uses of neem are correct.
Neem can grow easily on degraded land without competing with food crops. Hence, it is being recommended as a popular species in the projects for the reclamation of various types of wastelands. The tree has been found to be valuable in improving fertility and water-holding capacity of the soil. It may thus reduce erosion, deforestation, and possibly excessive temperature of overheated earth.
The all pervasive use of synthetics in every walk of life, be it healthcare, agriculture, preservation or clothing, is now paving way for ecofriendly products. Neem certainly provides several such products. Its remarkable pestcontrol potential makes it an ecofriendly bio-pesticide. Its medical propensities such as control of deadly diseases like AIDS and cancer on one hand and the control of ever increasing population on the other hand has aroused global interest. This multipurpose tree is gradually unfolding its potential.
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