What Is Neem Used for Today? | Safety Issues The neem tree has
been called "the village pharmacy" because its bark, leaves,
sap, fruit, seeds, and twigs have so many diverse uses in the
traditional medicine of India. This member of the mahogany
family has been used medicinally for at least 4,000 years and is
held in such esteem that Indian poets called it Sarva Roga
Nivarini "the One That Can Cure All Ailments." Mohandas Gandhi
encouraged scientific investigation of the neem tree as part of
his program to revitalize Indian traditions, which eventually
let to more than 2,000 research papers and intense commercial
interest. At least 50 patents have been filed on neem and neem-
based products in the United States for control of insects in
food and ornamental crops. However, the Indian government and
many nongovernmental organizations have united to overthrow some
patents of this type, which they regard as "folk-wisdom piracy."
One fear is that if neem is patented, indigenous people who
already use it will lose th