Ancient India tests refer to NEEM as Sarva Roga Nivarini, "THE CURER OF ALL AILMENTS" The Persian name for NEEM is Azad-Dirakth or the "FREE TREE". The medicinal properties of NEEM have been described in ancient Indian medical texts (4000BC) and the Sanskrit name, Nimba, is a derivative of the term NIMBATI syasthyamdadati, meaning "TO GIVE GOOD HEATH".

For a very long time, the NEEM tree has been India's best kept secret! Ancient India was envied for its Black Pepper, Cardamom, Saffron, Turmeric, Sandalwood etc. and these prized ingredients were sought after and taken across the seas to Europe for centuries! The colonial powers that ruled India failed to grasp the significance of the presence of the NEEM tree in every nook and corner of the country. Perhaps, if they had known about the wonderful array of uses of this tree, it would have become a worldwide phenomenon ages ago!!

For Indians, the NEEM tree has always had many fascinating aspects. For the children this evergreen, attractive tree was a haven from sun and rain - they spent hours in its cooling shade, plucked the sweet ripe fruit for a snack and built tree houses, which they shared with butterflies, birds and bees.

What the dictionary says about NEEM

1. A tall, usually evergreen East Indian tree (Azadirachta) widely cultivated in tropical Asia for its timber, resin, bar, and aromatic seed oil, which is used medicinally and as an insecticide
2. A large tree of India, all parts of which are useful to man: the leaves act as a natural pesticide, the fruit and seeds yield a medicinal oil, the bark is used to make a tonic and the trunk exudes a gum.