The word neem is derived from Sanskrit Nimba, which means ‘bestower of good health’. The neem tree has been venerated through the ages for its miraculous healing powers. Patients drank infusion of various parts as advised by Ayurvedic tradition. They used young twigs for oral hygiene first thing in the morning, ate tender leaves as salad or cooked leaves with vegetable as food. Neem gum was used as lozenges for dryness of throat and to relieve thirst. And in summer, ripe fruit were sucked for their sweet pulp.
Products made from neem trees have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties: Believed to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral and contraceptive, neem is a major component in Ayurvedic medicine.
This popular tree prevents topsoil runoff and promotes sustainable agriculture by preserving water in the soil layers badly needed by farmers to secure ground water. The Intaran tree is one of Bali’s most respected plants and people sometimes clean their hands by rubbing them on the trunk, believing it to contain a natural antiseptic solution. In parts of Bali, Intaran is a genuine solution to the undesirable impact of uncontrolled chemical pesticide and fertilizer usage providing a natural alternative. The tree has tremendous capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and purify the air, making it a perfect tree for lawns and backyards. Neem tree can adjust to climatic changes easily and can be used in reforestation projects where it grows quickly and lasts long.