Raw material information: Neem
The tropical neem tree (neem tree) originally comes from India and neighbouring countries. Its botanical name "Azadirachta indica A. Juss" comes from the Persian and translates as "the free tree of India". The tree, which belongs to the Meliaceae family, is avoided by many harmful insects and parasites - a tree in front of the house keeps the malaria fly away and even the devastating swarms of locusts, which otherwise devour everything, give it a wide berth.
To date, no other plant is known to produce as many beneficial substances as the neem tree. It is therefore not surprising that neem plays a key role in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In millennia-old Sanskrit writings, the neem tree is described as a gift from heaven, as its wood, bark, branches, leaves and seeds contain valuable, unique ingredients that are still used today. Mahatma Gandhi is also said to have made use of this fascinating "village pharmacy" and drank a cup of neem leaf tea every day to strengthen his immune system.
Current literature contains numerous references to the antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and pain-relieving properties of neem. Various natural cosmetics and body care products containing neem, such as soaps, lotions, toothpastes and mosquito repellent creams, bear witness to the increasing appreciation and trust placed in this all-rounder.
Neem is used to restore the natural balance of human, animal and plant organisms.
In Asian, African and Latin American countries, neem (Niem) is used against parasites in pets, such as ticks, lice, fleas and intestinal parasites. In agriculture and horticulture, it is the universal plant-strengthening and disease-repellent effect of neem (Niem) that is used by many crops. Indian farmers use ground neem seeds (niem seeds) or neem press cake (niem press cake) not only to enrich the soil, but also to repel and ward off harmful insects such as caterpillars, beetle larvae, grasshoppers, cicadas, leaf miners, aphids and bugs. They prepare a water extract by mixing the ground neem seeds (neem seeds) or the press cake in water and leaving the mixture to infuse for a few hours. After sieving off the coarse components, they spray or water the plants with the water extract. Ground neem seeds (neem seeds) are also used as a scattering powder to keep slugs and snails away; they are scattered directly on the vegetable patch or around the plants. Numerous scientists, including Prof Schmutterer, long-time head of the institute at the University of Giessen, have proven the effectiveness of these home-made home remedies. Neem products (rivet products) are also considered to be gentle on beneficial insects. In organic farming, the use of home-made neem extracts (rivet extracts) to repel insects from plants is permitted.
You can find lots more interesting information and detailed articles on the subject of neem in our collection of articles "All about neem"!