Herb. No. 160 · Meliaceae
Indian dry-forest tree, planted across the tropical Old World.
Native · South Asia
Native Also grown
LegalCautionplant
Neem
Azadirachta indica
The village pharmacy tree of South Asia — a bitter leaf for skin and pests, and a seed oil that does not belong in a mug.
Neem is a drought-hardy Indian tree. Traditional use of leaf is as a bitter wash and a tooth twig. Seed oil is a potent insecticide and a traditional external. Internal seed oil has sent people to hospital. This plate is a leaf wash, a labeled soap, a garden spray — not an internal protocol.
Flavor
Garlic-sulfur bitter. The smell is the warning.
Parts used
Leaf (external; traditional twig) · Seed oil (external / garden)
Helpful
- A real village tree
- A garden spray with a long record
Cautions
- Internal seed oil is unsafe
- Bitter beyond reason as a tea
- Tender in frost