‘Jamun’ or ‘Nim’ is a kind of ‘Java Plum’ that is a medium-sized or large tree with a straight trunk. The tree is graceful in form and evergreen. ‘Nim’ is a native to India, Malaysia, Burma and Sri Lanka and very much recognizable to most of the people for its medicinal properties. Though it has uniquely designed leaves and it profusesweet-scented flowers annually, very few people recognize it in that way. The tree thrives best in the dry areas.

The ‘Nim’ is scientifically known as ‘Azadirahtata Indica’. The family of the tree is ‘Meliaceae’. In Hindi, people use to call it as ‘Nim’, ‘Balnimb’ or ‘Nind’. Bengalis named it like ‘Nimgach’ or ‘Nim’. It is ‘Vepa’ in Telugu; ‘Vepe’ in Malayalam and ‘Vepa’ or ‘Vempu’ in Tamil. The English people call it ‘Nim’ or ‘Margosa’ Tree. In a ‘Nim’ tree, the flowers appear from the month of March to May. Generally, they are tiny stars bearing great numbers on long, relaxed stems. They spring from the axils of the leaves. The pollen attracts bees and other insects and people can easily see lively crowds hanging round the tree all through the flowering season. When the fruit is ripe later in the year, numerous birds visit the tree very frequently. The tree has some long leaves that hang from the above. They crowd near the end of the branches and bear up to a number of leaflets that count twenty-nine to thirty-one. Each of the leaves is about 7.5 cm in length, severely jagged, sharply pointed and curvy like a sweep. Their surface is fresh and green in colour and very shining. It gives the tree a delicate and appealing view. During the monsoon, the flowers falls down and the tree gets in full flora. To recognize easily, the curved and notched leaves mass around the branches and make a distinguishing appearance.

The young leaves are usually pale and tender green and also painted with oxidize. The Hindus eat it in their New Year’s Day in order to stay away from the diseases in the upcoming year. The tree is sacred to them. They also hang fresh ‘Nim’ leaves across their houses when there is an epidemic of smallpox or when there is a birth or death to keep evil spirits away. The ‘Nim’ that is well known as ‘Sweet Nim’ is known as ‘Murraya Kcenigii’ to the scientists. The leaves of these trees are frequently used by the Indians in making chutneys or curries etc. People also use these “magic” leaves in poultice form when they are employed to heal festered wounds. From the small olive sized yellow fruit, the famous Margosa oil is obtained. This oil is very effective in the treatment of leprosy and skin diseases. An external application of oil obtained from the seeds is believed to cure rheumatism and it also has antiseptic properties. The bark and gum of the tree also yield valuable medicines. In fact, every particular part of this fine tree is valuable. Nim timber resembles mahogany to some extent. It is beautifully mottled, hard and heavy and is commonly used by the people for shipbuilding, cart and Furniture making and has numerous other uses as well.