Question

why do some people prefer to use neem or tulsi leaves for storing food grains

Answer 1

Neem leaves have a bitter fragrance and store some alkaloids which repel the insects and pathogens from attacking the stored food. Stored food grains are prone to attack by insects, pathogens and other rodents. Storing food grains along with neem leaves repels the insects attacking the food grains.Neem leaves act as insecticide during storage.