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Azadirachta indica (Neem)

This member of the mahogany family has been used medicinally for at least 4,000 years in India. Gandhi encouraged scientific investigation of the neem tree as part of his program to revitalize Indian traditions, eventually leading to over 2,000 research papers and intense commercial interest.

At least 50 patents have been filed on neem, and neem-based products are licensed in the United States for control of insects in food and ornamental crops. Many organizations have united to overthrow some patents, which they regard as "folk-wisdom piracy." One fear is that if neem is patented, indigenous people who already use it will lose the right to continue to do so. Another point is the fundamental question: Who owns the genetic diversity of plants: the nations where the plants come from or the transnational corporations that pay for the research into those plants?

At least 100 bioactive substances have been found in neem, including nimbidin, azadiracthins, and other triterpenoids and limonoids. Although the scientific evidence for all of neem's uses in health care remains preliminary.

The uses of neem are remarkably diverse. In India, the sap is used for treating fevers, general debilitation, digestive disturbances, and skin diseases; the bark gum for respiratory diseases and other infections; the leaves for digestive problems, intestinal parasites, and viral infections; the fruit for debilitation, malaria, skin diseases, and intestinal parasites; and the seed and kernel oil for diabetes, fevers, fungal infections, bacterial infections, inflammatory diseases, fertility prevention, and as an insecticide. However, there is no reliable research evidence to support any of these uses. 

Dosage
Because of the numerous parts of the neem tree used, and the many different ways these can be prepared, the only advice we can give at this time is to follow the directions on the label of the neem product you purchase.

Safety Issues
Based on its extensive traditional use, neem seems to be quite safe. However, formal safety testing has only involved neem oil, the insecticide product made from the plant. While neem has been found adequately safe for use as an insecticide, animal studies suggest that long-term oral use of neem oil might produce toxic effects.

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