Neem - The Natural Herb
Neem, or Indian Lilac has its own unique bitter taste but it’s advantages are innumerable. And this is the only reason I would recommend you to have this plant at your home.
Before going ahead let’s have a quick look towards what are the medicinal and other uses of Neem.
1. Neem is the only medicinal plant that comes with all of its parts useful for
several purposes. Its roots, leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds and bark each and every part is useful.
2. Neem is the best antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic
and immunity booster.
3. Neem is beneficial for hair, skin, liver, kidneys, urinary tract infection, blood
sugar management and even heart disease.
4. Neem is good to maintain teeth health, reducing tooth decay and plaque
buildup.
5. Ulcer and skin problems like acne can be treated with Neem.
6. Last but not least its always been recommended to use Neem oil to
safeguard your plants from intruders.
I would like to share my personal experience here, when I was 9. I had got badly infected with chickenpox and was suffering from high fever. Days were unbearable and nights were terrible.
Uhhh!! Just can’t think of those days again. My parents somehow got some Neem leaves from somewhere in the village and finally I took a bath with them. Within 2 days the things started getting better and within a week I was absolutely fine.
Now let’s go deeper in this to understand which part of Neem plant is helpful for what
So here we have covered the medicinal significance of Neem. Now let’s see how to grow and care Neem plant at home.
Neem is the proven natural skin care, that's the reason why it is being used in several skin care products including beauty soap, face wash, face packs etc.
Pot Selection: If you have a single cutting of Neem tree then you can start with a 7-8 inches deeper pot. Check for the growth of the plant and keep
your eye on root bound when you will need to get a larger pot or a big tray for it.
Soil: Well drained sandy black soil (pH range = 7 to 8.5).
Sunlight: 5 to 6 hours full sun with some shadow in between. Choose a place where it will get a good amount of full sunlight.
Temperature: 50° to 80° F as Neem loves warm weather
Planting: Neem can be planted using seeds or cutting. Usually we go for bringing a plant from a nursery if growing it as houseplant where we
have less space to grow plants.
If you have a large foreground then you can prefer sowing seeds directly in the ground where it will get enough rain and sunlight both.
Water needs: No overwatering. While watering the plant make sure the soil is wet enough and has not become soggy.
Before watering the plant for the second time check if the soil is dried enough. Finger tests will be helpful to accomplish this task.
Fertilizers: Organic fertilizers which can be easily decomposed and mixed in the soil. Seaweed solution or Rice water can also be good options to
nourish the soil and plant. Add fertilizers once in a month to maintain the level of soil nutrients.
Pest and Cure: Usually due to neem’s bitter taste and strong aroma, intruders stay away from it. As neem itself is a best remedy to keep away
intruders. Still Neem oil can be used to keep insects away.
Harvesting: When the plant becomes 2-3 years old, it starts blooming. When it becomes 3-4 years old it starts hiding fruits once in a year.
Picking the fruits will give the new seeds of the Neem plant.
You can pick the leaves gently, wash them and after drying them completely, grind it to store in the form of powder and use
whenever you need.