The Trees of the Nature Collection—Part 2: Neem

In behind the design of the Nature Collection Analise shared how the Palaash, Neem and Khejari trees really stood out to her as she began looking to the flora and fauna of Udaipur for inspiration for the Nature Collection. When she asked me to research each tree, I was thrilled! I don't know much about trees myself but I am always ready to learn a little more about nature and of course the way people here think about it. I wrote all about the Palaash tree last time but today...

Let's talk all things Neem!

I grew up hearing about the neem tree from a friend who used it medicinally in Africa to treat malaria and various skin related issues. When I was in Southern India in my late teens, I had my ears pierced and my local friends put twigs from the neem tree in my newly pierced ears to speed up the healing process. Fast forward 15 years and here I am with a neem tree on every corner. It is widely known for its healing properties, whether from the leaves, the berry or the bark. The leaves of the neem tree contain a compound that repels insects so the leaves are often burned outside of homes to keep away mosquitoes. I have even used neem oil on my kids as an insect repellent!

Almost unanimously, everyone I asked about the neem tree said, “neem trees give the best shade!” In the local language, there is even a song written about it. 

While talking to a friend about the benefits of the neem tree, she mentioned nonchalantly that her father eats a raw neem leaf every morning on an empty stomach. Of course, I went to google to tell me why I should also start eating neem leaves every day. I was not disappointed. One of these days, maybe I too will eat a neem leaf a day!

Besides being used for medicine, insect repellent and protection from the summer sun, neem trees are also revered in the religious realm as well. To ring in the New Year of the Hindu calendar, people will decorate their homes with dried neem leaves and offer them in temples as sacrifices to their preferred deities. Unfortunately for the local goats, the last meal they will have before being ritually sacrificed should always be a neem leaf. It’s a bitter way to go. 

The Neem tree inspired two prints: neem stem, which is more geometric in nature, and neem leaf, which captures the sunlit dance of falling leaves. 

Neem trees are large but made up of little leaves in uniform rows. To me, they’ve always been distinct in their color too. The Neem tree: big, bright, and beautiful.

Bye for now!

Sarah