The cooperation between AOI and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the conduction of the project “Promotion of cooperation in private sector to develop comprehensive inclusive business models (IB) and responsible investment (IR) in the rice value chain in Vietnam. (2019-2020)

Dr. Nguyễn Công Thành, Viện AOI

Xoan is a tree that grows wild or is planted in many places in Vietnam. In good soil, the tree grows healthier. Xoan is easy to plant and grows quickly. After only 6 years, it can be exploited for wood to build houses and furniture. Xoan wood is beautiful and durable, valued as precious forest wood because it is resistant to termites. Xoan is suitable for many types of soil: sandy beaches, plains, hills, and fields. Usually planted by seeds.

According to Wikipedia, Xoan is native to India, southern China and Australia.

Figure 1: Branches, leaves and oval fruit Vietnamese name: Xoan, Sau Dong, Xoan Trang, Sau Dau…Scientific name: Melia azedarach L. Family: Meliaceae (Xoan)

Since 1973, Do Tat Loi (Professor, Doctor Do Tat Loi is a famous pharmaceutical researcher and a "big tree" of Vietnamese traditional medicine) and his colleagues have extracted the active ingredient of Xoan bark and made it into 0.1g tablets named Melia tablets, used in doses of 1-3 tablets for children from 1-4 years old, 4-6 tablets for children from 5-15 years old. Over 15 years old use in doses of 7-10 tablets. In addition to the use of treating worms, people also use the leaves to kill harmful insects and pests. They also put Xoan leaves in jars containing seeds such as beans to avoid weevils, or boil water to bathe animals (buffalo, cows, horses) to treat scabies. Xoan bark is an effective medicine but is toxic, so be careful when using it.

Figure 2: Neem branches, leaves and long fruits The scientific name of the Indian neem tree is Azadirachta Indica, Meliaceae family. Same family as the Xoan tree in Vietnam.

Neem leaves are used as a natural pesticide to preserve some foods. Because of their toxicity, Xoan leaves and fruit are inedible.

Preparation method:

– Xoan leaves: Soak dried Xoan leaves for 24 hours at a ratio of 1kg leaves/10 liters of water. After soaking, crush the leaves and filter the solution into a bottle. When using, add another 10 liters of water and add 0.1% soap or dishwashing liquid before spraying. Spray 2 tanks of 16l/1000m2.

– Xoan powder: Take almost ripe Xoan fruits, dry them and grind them into powder, then soak them in water to create a solution (as above) for spraying.