The land where the neem tree abound,
Can death, disease therein be found?'

This ancient proverb underlines the deep and abiding trust that the people of India have in the Neem tree. No matter what the affliction, Indians have instinctively reached out for the Neem tree in the neighbourhood, as the first line of treatment and the neem has rarely ever let them down!!

With this special issue on Neem in Human Health, we hope to present   some important aspects of the unique gift of healing of this evergreen tree. We hope 'The Bitter Neem Makes You Better' will demystify the issue. The emphasis has been to provide the scientific basis for each cure.

So great is the current interest in the potential of Neem in well-being that not a day goes by without our mailbox being innundated with queries from patients from every part of the globe.

This issue also carries some authentic recipes of Neem. Keeping up with Neem and From the Internet provide guidance on novel ways of consuming Neem to enhance health and to fight scrouges as menacing and widespread as AIDS and malaria. 

At the last World Neem Conference the session on Human Health was the most eagerly awaited and not surprisingly, also had the highest attendance. In this issue, we reproduce two highly acclaimed presentations made at NEEM 2002 on pages 7 and 9. 

Some 'Traditional Neem Remedies for Good Health' compiled over the years by the Foundation appear on the back inside cover. Treat these tips as a guideline to use Neem in a safe and healthful way.

In January 2004 bids were invited from African Governments and Organisations to host the next World Neem Conference in 2005. The WNC, Secretariat approached several Ministries in different parts of Africa.  Apart from Mauritius, Kenya and Senegal, Nigeria and Cameroon have also sent in their bids of intent. Formal proposals are awaited. As mentioned before the final decision will be made on the basis of the feasibility, logistics and the quality of infrastructure available with each bidder.

Live each day in joy for each day is a little life.

PThakkar
PThakkar