Therapeutical and medicinal properties of Neem (Azadirachta indica) in context of Unani system of medicine: a review study

Abstract

Neem is very important medicinal plant which is used to treat different diseases in Unani System of Medicine as well as traditional system of medicine (Ayurveda, Homeopathic Chines and European “Materia Medica”). The use of traditional medicine and medicinal plants in most developing countries, as a normative basis for the maintenance of good health, has been widely observed. In the last century, approximately 130 pharmaceutical products have been discovered based on the information obtained from the traditional scientist and physician. The importance of the neem tree has been recognized by the US National Academy of Sciences, which publish a report in 1992 entiteled ‘Neem- a tree for solving global problems’. The scientific name of neem, Azadirachta indica, is derived from the Persian, Azad means “Free” dirakht means “tree” I-Hindi means “of Indian Origin” .Hence it literally means “the free tree of India”. The Chemical principles from natural sources have become much simpler and have contributed significantly to the development of new drugs from medicinal plants and because of these facts the domain market for plant derived chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, flavor’s, and color ingredients, alone exceeds several billion dollars per year. The present review highlights a Unani medicine literature as well as scientific on taxonomical, botanical, and pharmacological discussion on Neem. Keywords: Neem, Azadirachta indica, Unani Medicine, Nim.