The History Of The Neem Tree

The Many Names for the Neem Tree

The medicinal properties of the Neem tree have been well known in India for over 4,000 years. The healing properties of Neem are spoken about in some of the world’s oldest books. The Sanskrit word for Neem was “nimba,” which means “good health.” The Vedas called Neem “sarva roga nivarini”, which means “one that cures all ailments and ills”.

It has also been referenced as “Divine Tree”, Life giving tree”, “Nature’s Drugstore”, and “Village Pharmacy”.

Neem in the Villages of India

For the people of India, the Neem tree had many fascinating aspects.  A botanical cousin of the mahogany tree, the hardy evergreen is a common feature of the drier regions of India and southeast Asia. It needs very little water but plenty of sunlight. The Neem flowers bare fruits that are green drupes, which turn golden yellow when ripe.

The Neem tree was a symbol of health. In the sun and heat this evergreen, tree was a haven with its cooling shade. It was also safe from bugs and biting insects because of its natural repellant action. And millions of Indian people have used all parts of this sacred tree as medicinals – the seeds, leaves, flowers, fruits, oil, roots and bark.

The Neem was planted in the vicinity of a home where Indians practiced daily interaction with this extraordinary tree.

As a Beauty Treatment

For the women, the Neem was the mainstay of the herbal beauty tradition. The Neem proved an invaluable source of health, hygiene and beauty that was freely available.

Having a bath with Neem leaves kept their skin supple and healthy. Neem leaf powder or crushed leaves incorporated into their face packs provided emollient and anti-aging action. The antiseptic properties of Neem leaf extracts helped in controlling pimples and acne.

As a Fertilizer and for Livestock

For the men, the tree provided seeds, leaf and bark which could be converted into fertilizer and pest control material. It also provided medicinal potions for their cattle and livestock.

To Cure All Ills

It was also a source of medicine to treat more than a 100 health problems, from scratches and skin rashes to malaria and diabetes. The Neem tree was known to relieve so many different pains, fevers, infections and other complaints that it had been called “the village pharmacy.”

The Neem was used in ancient Indian cures to treat inflammation, infections, skin diseases and for dental care. The Neem leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark and fruits contain antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antihistamine and antiseptic properties.

Many countries have been sourced for their own unique elixir of ills – Aloe Vera from Mexico, Tea tree from Australia, Ginseng from Korea and Gingko biloba from China. According to the Neem Foundation “Neem” is likely to exceed them all.

JustNeem Uses Neem From Africa

JustNeem Body Care and Skin Care products use the healing properties of Neem to restore healthy skin to those suffering from eczema, psoriasis, acne or dry skin. We get our Neem raw goods from Mauritania, West Africa.

Our team regularly travels to Mauritania where we collaborate in a Neem tree planting program initiated in 2007 and centered upon an orchard in the southern village of Kaedi. Since the establishment of this orchard, a solar-powered water pump and well have been built, and over 2,000 Neem trees have been both planted within the orchard, and distributed locally to community members. Read more about our Mission.

Information Provided by The Neem Foundation, Mumbai, India, 2008.