La Paz Pearls: Neem Trees

La Paz is dotted with neem trees, and they recently bathed the town with their delicate, fragrant perfume during their annual flowering. Neem supplements, neem toothpaste, or neem skin products were regular where I grew up, and I was happily surprised to reconnect with this incredible tree when I moved here. Given its extensive list of properties and uses, I was also surprised to observe how little locals and expats knew about it, let alone the various ways you can incorporate it into your life.

The Neem tree, often called “Indian Lilac”, is an evergreen tree belonging to the mahogany family and is a cornerstone of traditional medicine and sustainable agriculture, earning it the nickname “village pharmacy” in its native lands. It is believed to be native to the Indian subcontinent and other dry forest areas throughout Asia. 

Its use in India dates back centuries, deeply ingrained in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, with ancient texts extensively documenting its effectiveness in treating a wide array of ailments.

Coming back to La Paz, my curiosity was triggered when I identified this humble tree casually hanging out in literally every street in La Paz. My first question was how the neem tree made its way to Mexico from India, and secondly, was Mexico fully tapping into its economic potential?

The global spread of the neem tree to other regions was largely influenced by Indian laborers during the colonial era, who brought the seeds to new lands, recognizing its immense value. Over the last century, neem has been established in at least 30 countries, including parts of Africa (especially along the Sahara’s southern fringe), the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius (where I grew up), and numerous countries in Central and South America. 

Neem seeds were introduced to Mexico in 1989 from the Philippines as part of a government program to help lower-income area farmers protect their crops from pests. It has properties that, when its seeds are crushed and fermented, produce a simple, cost-effective, and natural insecticide, more affordable than potentially dangerous chemicals, and planting neem trees forms a natural barrier against insects carried by the wind. Aside from that, various parts of the tree, including leaves, bark, seeds, flowers, and oil have been used for medicinal and household purposes.

Here in Mexico, the focus has primarily been on low-cost pest control, and in hot places like La Paz, to provide shade. Is Mexico missing out on the economic potential of this tree?

While there’s definite economic activity, the neem industry in Mexico is likely smaller and less vertically integrated compared to countries like India. Local companies often import processed neem oil or extracts, suggesting that large-scale domestic cultivation and processing for industrial use is a demand that Mexico could fulfil locally. 

Baja California Sur’s arid climate is highly suitable for neem cultivation, as we can clearly see around town. The tree’s resilience and low water requirements, once established, make it an excellent fit for regions with water scarcity. Why are we not exploring this more as a region?

The global market for neem extracts, currently valued at approximately $2.66 US billion in 2023 (including oil, powders, and other derivatives), is a significant and growing industry with projections reaching $9.36 US billion by 2032. This indicates a strong global demand for natural, sustainable products.

Can Mexico benefit from more neem expansion? Instead of importing neem products, Mexico could develop a more robust domestic supply chain, from cultivation and seed collection to processing (oil extraction, powder production) and manufacturing pesticides, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Mexico could eventually become an exporter of high-quality neem products to North American and other Latin American markets, leveraging its geographical proximity. Keeping in mind the time it takes for a tree to bear fruit and be profitable, the neem tree has the potential to be a thriving industry.

As for me, I use the neem leaves in multiple applications. I make teas and tinctures with leaves which have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic properties. I often wash my eyes with neem water, especially if they are itchy or over tired which is a tip that I learned here in La Paz. I also use the leaves as a paste on my skin, especially after prolonged sun exposure. I love using a natural neem toothpaste from Jalisco, which reduces plaque, prevents gum disease, and combats bad breath. (Neem twigs are traditionally chewed as toothbrushes, and extracts are used in toothpaste and mouthwashes.)

If you are in La Paz, I invite you to pick some neem leaves during your next stroll and explore the different ways it can improve your life. As for Mexico, I do hope that it leans deeper into an industry that seems to already align with its ecology. – Naailah Auladin 

For more on my work: www.naailahauladin.com

Naailah Auladin is a life and relationship doula in La Paz, specializing in emotional trauma, crisis management, mediation, and mental health. She focuses her writing on inspiring individuals to take responsibility and ownership in participating in their civic duties, focusing on the well-being of the self-first, as she believes that fostering and maintaining well-managed emotional, mental, and physical health is our first civic duty.