For centuries millions of people have benefited from using various parts of the neem tree. Its recognised traditional uses are being confirmed by modern research findings. During the last 20 years more than 2000 research papers have been published on neem in journals, books and proceedings of international congresses.

Neem tree in totality has been a village dispensary and a qualified plant by itself. It is so popular that time is not far when neem would emerge as a universal pharmacy and an omnipotent panacea. Every part of this plant finds use as medicine for itching, skin disease, leprosy, blood disorders, worms, diabetes, piles, dysentery, jaundice, vomiting, wounds, eye disease, paraplegia, female genital diseases and all kinds of fevers.

More than 150 compounds have been so far isolated from neem. Out of these seed accord for 101 including 43 from the malodorous fraction, the leaves 37; and flowers, bark and root furnish the rest (Dhan Prakash et al, 1996).

Neem products are used for treatment of a whole gamut of diseases, including skin infection, cardiovascular disorder, diabities and cancer (Govindachari, 1992). It has important fungicidal and Antimalarial properties. Nimbidin from neem oil is effective in various skin diseases. Neem oil inhibits the growth of all the three strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. pyrogensn var. aures ( Chopra et al., 1956). The water extract (10%) of leave shows antiviral activity. The gum from bark is a stimulant and demulcent tonic. It possesses anti-leprosy, antispirochaetal, and immenagogue properites (Nadkarni, 1954; Dastar, 1970; Satyavarthi et al., 1976 ; Subramanian, 1986).

The neem tree can also save India and the world from the scrouge of malaria. According to scientists at the International Centre For Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi, mosquitoes exposed to the volatiles of crushed neem seeds and neem oil, stop laying eggs. While a 90 minute exposure to odours from broken neem seeds suppresses egg laying. The report prepared from Dr. Hema Dawar and her colleagues at IGEB and National Institute Of Immunology, New Delhi may provide an effective weapon to counter Malaria. Exposure to neem volatiles, derived from unaltered neem oil, or its extracts, results in retention of a larger number of eggs in mosquitoes who alight on water to lay eggs, but are unable to do so. A complete inhibition of egg laying was observed in mosquitoes to neem oil and volatile components for seven days, the scientist said.

Despite all the vicissitudes India has gone through over the centuries, neem has managed to remain a friend, philosopher and guide to the average Indian. It is time this heritage is appreciated and in area of promotional and preventive health care, our indigenous knowledge and resources are made use of on an increasing scale as low-cost, effective ingredient for the realization of the lofty goal of ‘Health for all’.