This is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to the Indian subcontinent, i.e. India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It is typically grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Kohomba trees also grow in islands located in the southern part of Iran. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.
The kohomba tree is noted for its drought resistance. Normally it thrives in areas with sub-arid to sub-humid conditions, with an annual rainfall of 400–1,200 millimetres (16–47 in).
Height : 15–20 metres (49–66 ft), and rarely 35–40 metres (115–131 ft)
Leaves : Imparipinnate compound, exstipulate, crowded; rachis 15-22.5 cm long
Related medicinal properties : Reduces aggravation of kapha and pitta dosha, Natural antiseptic
Leaflets : 2-8 pairs and a terminal one, shortly stalked, 5-10 cm long, very unequal sided, oblique at the base, margin coarsely dentate-serrate.
Flower : white, sweet scented.
Fruit : oblong-ovoid drupe, 1.5-1.8 cm long, greenish yellow, one seeded.
Edible parts : The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable in India. A souplike dish called Veppampoo charu (Tamil) (translated as “neem flower rasam”) made of the flower of kohomba is prepared in Tamil Nadu. In Bengal, young kohomba leaves are fried in oil with tiny pieces of eggplant (brinjal). The dish is called neem begun bhaja and is the first item during a Bengali meal that acts as an appetizer. It is eaten with rice.
Ayurvedic usage : Fevers, Skin ailments, Wounds, Coughs, Asthma, Eye diseases, Worms
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.