Status Report on Global Neem Usage - Gtz

2. GLOBAL NEEM DISSEMINATION AND USAGE2.2 Potential Uses of NeemThe neem tree has numerous potential uses; in fact, a use can be found for all parts of thetree (1, 2, 5, 13, 15-19).Table 2.1:Overview of the ways of using the different parts of neem trees and theirraw materialsPart of plant/raw materialSeedsOilPress cakeFruitsLeavesTwigsWoodBarkRootsPotential UsagesOil extraction, plant protection, raw material for producing commercialpesticides, stock protection, medicine, animal carePlant protection, raw material for producing commercial pesticides, soiladditive, fertiliser, animal fodder and hygieneOil extraction, ripe fruits as food, medicineMedicine, cosmetics, mulching material, plant protection, stock protection,animal care, animal fodder, vegetablesFeathery leaf stalk (twigs) for dental hygieneFirewood, construction material, furnitureToothpaste and dental hygiene, medicine, cosmeticsMedicineThe tree is found in at least 78 countries and is used in a further nine (for details, refer to thetable in the Annex: “Occurrence and usage of neem by countries”).Table 2.2:Estimated occurrence of neem by world regionsNeem occurrencein millionsSoap production, raw material for producing commercial pesticides andcosmetics, plant protection, stock and textile protection, medicine, animalcare, refining to edible oil, lubrication oil for engines, lamp oil, candle productionWorldwideAsia/OceaniaAfricaCaribbean/Latin AmericaIndustrialisedcountries64.1 - 91.1 27.1 - 39.1 31 - 45 5.5 - 6.5 ca. 0.5- Medicinal Plants (13, 15, 19, 47)The oldest known use of neem is as a medicinal plant. The therapeutic properties of thefruits, seeds, oil, leaves, bark and roots, which have a long tradition in Indian Ayurveda andUnani medicine, are expounded in 3000-year-old Sanskrit writings.11