Science / Medicine : Neem Tree Called Wonder Plant

Its leaves can make painkilling drugs and skin ointments. Its twigs are decay-preventing toothbrushes. And its seeds can be used to make environment-friendly insecticides. An extract may work as a contraceptive and oil from its seeds has antifungal and antiseptic properties and can be used in soaps and cosmetics.

All this from a tree called neem, which some researchers call a wonder plant.

A study released last week by the National Research Council said the neem, now being grown throughout the tropics, deserves to be studied as a plant that could solve many of the problems of the poverty-stricken Third World.

“If neem lives up to its early promise, it will help to control many of the world’s pests and diseases, as well as reduce erosion, desertification, deforestation and perhaps even slow the rate of increase in population,” the study said. The report called for an orderly creation of neem plantations and laboratory research to determine the best way to harvest and process the tree’s leaves and seeds.