A REVIEW ARTICLE ON AZARDIRACHATA INDICA LINN. (ENGLISH NAME MARGOSA TREE)

English name Margosa Tree (Local name: Neem) found all over India the Tree measures around 8 to 10 mts. Oil is extracted from the seed leaves fall in winter and in autumn new reddish tender leaf appears. External skin astringent but internal is pungent. The bark contains a bitter resin called Margosin. It also contains a volatile oil, gum, white secretion, sugar and an astringent elemen. Seed contains 40% stable oil and traces of Sulphur. Leaves and bark is antimicrobial. It removes foul smell, reduces burning sensation and itching. Seed oil has wound healing, antileprotic, analgesic, therefore it is used in treatment of abscess, lymphadenitis, ulcer. In pruritis hot water bath with decoction of neem leaves is given. Neem oil is also used as massage oil. The fruit is purgative. Leaves are anti-helminthics and stimulant of liver functions. Its Bark decoction with honey is useful in jaundice, anorexia vomiting, dysentery, intestinal worms, liver diseases. Ointment preparation from seed is applied in piles. The Fruit is useful in constipation. Leaves are more useful in excessive mucous secretion. Bark decoction is used in chronic cough. 30 to 60 cc of liquid collected from the trunk is given in T.B. and leprosy. It is also useful in Diabetes. Its seed is uterine stimulant. Seed powder is used in dysmenorrhea and puerperium. The juice of neem leaves should be given to postpartum women just after delivery as it is a uterine tonic. It is useful in all skin condition especially in burning and irritation sensations