|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
Neem Tree
|
|
|
The Wonder Tree of the Humid Tropics
Neem tree (Azadirachta Indica or Melia Azadirachta) is a wonder tree
native to parts of South Asia and other humid tropics is ecologically
very special evergreen. It can tolerate very high levels of
pollution and has the capacity to recover even if most of its foliage
is dropped. It can reach heights of 30 meters and live for over two
centuries. Its deep root system is very well adapted to retrieving
water and
nutrients from the various soil profile even shallow, infertile, stony
and acidic soils, but sensitive to boggy, watery soil. The trees begin
their reproductive stage at about three to five years of age, and
become fully reproductive when they are ten years old. Trees with a
large leaf area such as neem, accumulate
relatively higher quantities of lead, has huge
capacity to absorb many pollutants like particulate dust, CO2, oxides
of
sulphur, nitrogen and other polutants. Increasing the number of neem
trees would have great impact in
improving human and environmental health, especially in the areas where
polution and health problems are rising. Planting more wonder trees
like neem and use of its natural powers would lead to a healing chain
reaction superior to any other!
Parts of neem tree have been used for thousands of years as building
material, powerful herbal medicine, and safe bio-pesticide in many
nations. There are reference to neem tree and its various uses in
Sanskrit writings that are over 4,000 years old. It was used in
Ayurvedic, Unani
and traditional Asian folklore medicine, in the treatment of a wide
range of
afflictions (for the treatment of tetanus, urticaria, eczema, scrofula,
erysipelas). It also has powerful skin
rejuvenating qualities. The most frequently reported indications in
ancient
Ayurvedic writings are skin diseases, inflammations, leprosy, malaria,
ophthalmia, tuberculosis and fevers, and
more recently rheumatic disorders, treatment of acne, insect repellent
and insecticide effects. Various other folk remedies for neem include
use as an anthelmintic, antifeedant, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue,
contraceptive, febrifuge, parasiticide, pediculocide and insecticide.
It is the use of neem tree as an insecticide that now draws interest
from many industrialized countries. It is seen as an environmentally
safe alternative to synthetic pesticides. Researches are showing that
almost 200 species of insects are affected by this trees extracts at
concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1,000 ppm, even insects that have
become resistant to synthetic pesticides are controllable with the
extracts from neem tree. We hope that this unique tree will be able to
play much bigger role in an integrated and healthier pest management
system.
Neem oil can be used as a household pesticide for ants, bedbugs,
cockroaches, houseflies, sand flies, snails, termites and mosquitoes
both as
repellent and larvicide. Neem oil also controls black spot, powdery mildew, anthracnose and rust (fungus).
Formulations made of Neem oil also find wide usage as a
bio-pesticide for organic farming, as it repels a wide variety of pests
including the mealy bug, beet
armyworm, aphids,
the cabbage worm, thrips, whiteflies, mites, fungus gnats, beetles,
moth larvae, mushroom flies, leafminers, caterpillers, locust, nematodes
and the Japanese beetle. Neem Oil is not known to be harmful to
mammals, birds or some beneficial insects such as earthworms,
butterflies, honeybees and ladybugs.
|
|
 BIO PESTICIDE |
| For
use as a bio-pesticide, pure Neem oil should be diluted at the
rate of 1 teaspoon per quart, or 4 teaspoons per gallon of water
(metric:
5.2 millilitres per litre) and used as a foliar spray or used as a soil
drench at the rate of 1 liter per square meter of soil (3 ounces per
square foot). Adding a surfactant
greatly enhances its effectiveness. Ordinary liquid dishwashing soap
may be used as a surfactant, added at the rate of 1 tablespoon per
gallon. (source Wikipedia). |
|
| HUMAN USE |
Neem tree has also a long record
of safety to human health and wide acceptability
as a herbal medicine. Neem offers a non-toxic alternative to powerful
and
sometimes damaging prescription medicines. Every part of this
fascinating tree is packed with anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal, anti-histamine, anti-septic, anti-viral, and immune
stimulating compounds for treating hundreds of maladies. It boosts the
immune system on all levels
while helping the body fight infection even before the immune system is
called into action. Unlike synthetic antibiotics, neem does not destroy
beneficial bacteria and other micro organisms needed to maintain
optimum health.
Neem oil
has an extensive history of human use
in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and surrounding regions for a variety of
therapeutic purposes. Neem oil is made
from the leaves and bark of the neem tree. It is generally light to
dark brown, bitter and has strong odour (like combination of the odours
of peanut and garlic). In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is used
for preparing cosmetics products like: soap, hair products, body
hygiene creams, hand creams etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Copyright
© 1998, RomWell.com. All rights reserved. |
|
|
SPONSORED LINKS