Neem-Based Traditional Medicine in Latur's Drought Economy

In Latur's drought-prone landscape, neem (Azadirachta indica) trees are among the most resilient and medically significant plants used by rural communities. Traditional healers in Latur district use every part of the neem tree: bark tea for malaria and fever, leaf juice mixed with jaggery for jaundice, dried leaf powder as a natural pesticide for stored grain, neem oil for skin infections and head lice, and young leaves as a bitter tonic consumed at Ugadi festival. Neem cake (after oil extraction) is used as an organic fertiliser and soil conditioner. Communities in drought-affected Latur rely on neem's resistance to prolonged dry periods as a constant resource when other vegetation fails. Traditional healers (vaidyas) in Latur prepare neem-based preparations including nim quath (decoction), nim taila (oil), and nim churna (powder) for skin disease treatment. CSIR-CIMAP has documented Latur's neem folk medicine practices as part of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library project.