Neem (Azadirachta indica) is widely recommended for use in agriculture as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. It leads the list of plants with the highest potential to control pests largely because it contains a variety of biologically active compounds. These compounds together called limonoids, are present in various parts of the plant including the leaf, bark and seeds. However the seeds contain the highest quantities.

Neem has two closely related species: A. indica A. Juss and M. azedarac, the former is popularly known as Indian neem (margosa tree) or Indian lilac, and the other as the Persian lilac. Neem has been extensively used in ayurveda, unani and homoeopathic medicine.The Sanskrit name of neem tree is Arishtha meaning 'reliever of sickness' and hence is considered as Sarbaroganibarini. The tree is still regarded as 'village dispensary' in India. Various parts of the neem tree have been used as traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India. Neem oil and the bark and leaf extracts have been therapeutically used as folk medicine to control leprosy, intestinal helminthiasis, respiratory disorders, constipation and also as a general health promoter. Its use for the treatment of rheumatism, chronic syphilitic sores and indolent ulcer has also been evident. Neem oil finds use to control various skin infections. Bark, leaf, root, flower and fruit together cure blood morbidity, biliary afflictions, itching, skin ulcers, burning sensations and pthysis. Neem oil is used on humans, on animals, and on plants, for a huge range of different problems and diseases.