Question 1

What is Kohomba tree used for in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Kohomba (Azadirachta indica) is used extensively in Sri Lankan Ayurvedic medicine to treat fevers, skin ailments, wounds, coughs, asthma, eye diseases, and intestinal worms. The leaves, bark, seeds, and roots all carry medicinal value. Beyond medicine, neem oil from the seeds is used as a natural pesticide, and the twigs have traditionally served as tooth-cleaning sticks.

Question 2

What is the Sinhala name for the neem tree?

Accepted Answer

The neem tree is called Kohomba in Sinhala, written as කොහොඹ in the Sinhala script. In Tamil it is known as Vembu or Veppai, and in Sanskrit as Nimbha. These regional names reflect the tree's deep cultural and medicinal roots across South Asia.

Question 3

What does Azadirachta indica mean in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In Ayurveda, Azadirachta indica is classified as a plant that reduces aggravation of kapha and pitta doshas — two of the three fundamental biological energies. It is regarded as a natural antiseptic and purifier, and appears in classical formulations targeting inflammatory conditions, skin disorders, and fevers. Its bitter quality is considered central to many of its therapeutic effects.

Question 4

Where does the neem tree grow in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Neem grows naturally across Sri Lanka's dry zone and intermediate zone, particularly in the North Central and Northern provinces. It is also widely cultivated near homes, temples, and Ayurvedic facilities across the island. The tree thrives in poor soils and tolerates long dry periods, making it well suited to Sri Lanka's dry lowlands.

Question 5

Can neem leaves be eaten or used at home safely?

Accepted Answer

Neem leaves are used in traditional cooking and home remedies in small quantities across South Asia, though their strong bitter taste limits culinary use. External applications such as leaf pastes for skin conditions are generally considered safe in traditional practice. However, concentrated neem preparations should not be taken internally without advice from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, particularly for children, pregnant women, or those with existing health conditions.

Question 6

What is neem oil used for?

Accepted Answer

Neem oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of Azadirachta indica and is widely used as a natural pesticide in organic agriculture. Its active compound, azadirachtin, disrupts insect development and acts as a deterrent against many crop pests. It is also used in cosmetics, soap-making, and some Ayurvedic skin-care formulations for its antimicrobial properties.

Question 7

What is the botanical family of the Kohomba tree?

Accepted Answer

Kohomba belongs to the family Meliaceae, commonly known as the mahogany family. This family includes many tropical trees of economic and medicinal importance. Within Meliaceae, Azadirachta indica is one of the most widely studied species due to its broad range of bioactive compounds.

Azadirachta Indica (Kohomba)