A few years back, there appeared a news item in various dailies regarding the dispute over neem patent. India, along with International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement and Green Party in European Parliament, had been opposing a patent for neem tree granted to a chemical multinational firm and the United States Department of Agriculture. After years of legal battle, in 2005, the European Patent Office gave the verdict cancelling the patent and it was highlighted as a victory for the traditional users of neem tree.
Neem or Azadirachta indica, has a significant role in Indian culture and lifestyle. The tree is grown and nurtured in many courtyards of Kerala too. Since ages, it had been part of our lives and had been a major ingredient in many Ayurvedic medicines for skin disorders and diabetes.
The neem twigs were once used for oral care and you can still see many elderly people in the rural areas of Kerala using them for that purpose. The medicinal quality of neem leaves, flowers, twigs etc is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts and you can see that neem trees are present in almost all herbal gardens managed by any kerala ayurvedic center.
Neem is also used in Ayurvedic concoctions for treating ulcers, gastro intestinal problems, urinary tract problems, high blood pressure and bad cholesterol. So plant a neem tree in your garden and ensure the presence of a doctor there.
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