Neem is a native tropical evergreen tree found throughout the Indian subcontinent. It grows up to 50 feet in height and is renowned for its many uses. It has been used for more than four millennia as a cure for many skin diseases. It was used as an all-purpose medicine in village dispensaries as early as the first millennium BC.
Neem tree is widely used in agriculture. Its leaves, fruits, and bark are used as food additives and toothpaste. Neem oil contains antioxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals in the body. This makes it a valuable alternative to chemical-based pesticides. It also helps protect stored food against pests.
Neem oil is a natural insecticide with good antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It can be used to control pests to kill them. The active ingredient in neem oil is azadirachtin, which acts as a repellent by interfering with the hormones of insects, preventing them from feeding. It can also slow down the growth of nematodes, which are parasitic on plants. It is effective against a number of pests, including leafminers, mealy bugs, thrips, and lacebugs.