Neem Tree Uganda's Miracle Trees

This tree belongs to the Mahogany family and native to South Asia. It’s been proven by that is has medicinal and pesticide properties. In India the tree has been relied upon for centuries as a medicinal plant, variously known as “Divine Tree”, “Heal All”, “Nature’s Drugstore”, and “Village Pharmacy”. In Kenya it has been dubbed “arobaini”, because it cures “40” diseases. The neem tree is toxic to insects, the traditional herbalists and scientists from around the world have used their knowledge about plants’ natural deference to identify and develop pesticides.

Various parts of the Neem tree are extracted ranging from leaves, flowers, bark, and oil from the seeds each of which contain one or more of a complex range of active ingredients. Because the active ingredients in Neem have very complex molecular structures, it is not feasible to manufacture them synthetically.

In Uganda its used as natural pesticide by small scale organic, its also grown by organic farmers as a bio pesticides on farm to reduce pest predation of their crops. The farmers pound and soak Neem tree leaves for a night and then spray over their crops the following day.

Neem oil is extracted from the seed, contains quite a different combination of chemicals, and works rather differently. Neem-oil products are reportedly effective against aphids, white flies, scale crawlers, and spider mites, It can also be used in the house as a be used as a household pesticide for ant, bedbug, cockroach, housefly, sand fly, snail, termite and mosquitoes both as repellent and larvicide.


It is claimed that only the insects that feed on plant tissues actually succumb. Those that feed on nectar (butterflies, bees, etc) or other insects (such as spiders, and ladybirds) tend to survive. Thus some promote Neem as a ‘selective’ bio pesticide that gets the bad guys, while saving the ‘good guys’ (depending on your view of spiders!). However, larvae (including caterpillars) are highly susceptible so it’s not all perfect.

The Neem tree is natural and non-toxic to mammals,therefore can be used in organic crops, and indoors, and quickly breaks down in the environment posing no long term toxicity problems - though on the other hand this means it must be reapplied regularly to retain effectiveness.

To the human’s it’s a medicine remedy, particularly prescribed for skin conditions such as acne eczema, and fungal infections, typically through inclusion of Neem Oil in cosmetics such as soaps, shampoo, balms, creams. It can also be used as an antithetical (treating intestinal worms) through drinking of a rather bitter ‘tea’ made with bark and/or leaves. Some claim that it also treats head lice, and scabies, viruses and infertility. Neem twigs have for long been used for brushing teeth in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, representing perhaps one of the earliest and most effective forms of dental care. Today, Neem oil is included in some toothpastes.

It thrives in most parts of Uganda, and is noted for its tolerance of a wide range of soils, and its drought resistance. It will grow in full sun to partial shade, growing best in a well-drained soil mix, with some sand. It is fast growing and typically reaches a height of 15-20m. With white and fragrant flowers, and a yellowish-white fruit, Neem has been widely planted in gardens around the tropics (Uganda being no exception), often solely for its ‘ornamental’ and ‘curiosity’ value and never being used.