Wonder medicine

A few years back, thereappeared a news item in various dailies regarding the dispute overneem patent. India, along with International Federation of OrganicAgriculture Movement and Green Party in European Parliament, had beenopposing a patent for neem tree granted to a chemical multinationalfirm and the United States Department of Agriculture. After yearsof legal battle, in 2005, the European Patent Office gave the verdictcancelling the patent and it was highlighted as a victory for thetraditional users of neem tree.


Neem or Azadirachta indica,has a significant role in Indian culture and lifestyle. The tree isgrown and nurtured in many courtyards of Kerala too. Since ages, ithad been part of our lives and had been a major ingredient in manyAyurvedic medicines for skin disorders and diabetes.


The neem twigs were once usedfor oral care and you can still see many elderly people in the ruralareas of Kerala using them for that purpose. The medicinal quality ofneem leaves, flowers, twigs etc is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts andyou can see that neem trees are present in almost all herbal gardensmanaged by any kerala ayurvediccenter.Neem is also used in Ayurvedic concoctions for treatingulcers, gastro intestinal problems, urinary tract problems, highblood pressure and bad cholesterol. So plant a neem tree in yourgarden and ensure the presence of a doctor there.