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Azadirachta, Neem, NimbaMargosa tree
Nimba, Nimbaka, Arishta (Ayurveda) Neem, Aazaad-Darakht-e-Hindi (Unani) Vemmu, Vembu, Veppan (Siddha) Nim Pa ནིམ་པ (Tibetan) |
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'Azeadarach', Ortus sanitatis
Cube, Johann von, 1501
Cube, Johann von, 1501
Lobel, M. de, Plantarum seu stirpium icones,
vol. 2 (1581) |
Prodromi fasciculi rariorum plantarum,
Breyne (1739) |
Botanical name:
Azadirachta indica (syn. Melia azadirachta)
M. toosenden and M. azedarach are regarded as different by Bensky who lists the latter as an adulterant while theplantlist.org lists it as a synonym. We have given them separate entries but they may in fact be medicinally equivalent. See Melia toosenden
Parts used:
Leaf, Bark, Seed oil, Fruit (less commonly); all parts of the plant are used in Folk Medicine
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter
Warm according to some
Classifications:
2F. PURIFYING
3Q. ANTHELMINTIC
TCM:
S. WORMS & PARASITES
Azadirachta indica (syn. Melia azadirachta)
M. toosenden and M. azedarach are regarded as different by Bensky who lists the latter as an adulterant while theplantlist.org lists it as a synonym. We have given them separate entries but they may in fact be medicinally equivalent. See Melia toosenden
Parts used:
Leaf, Bark, Seed oil, Fruit (less commonly); all parts of the plant are used in Folk Medicine
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter
Warm according to some
Classifications:
2F. PURIFYING
3Q. ANTHELMINTIC
TCM:
S. WORMS & PARASITES
Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Poison (Bark; Ayurveda; Tibetan, Unani):
-High Fever; Chronic Fever; Malarial Fever; Dengue Fever; Postpartum Fever (usually bark)
-Measles, Small Pox (leaf, bark)
-Poisoning
-Boils, Abscesses
-Malignant Ulcers; Internal Tumors; Glandular Swellings
-Hot-phlegm Cough; fruit has also been given in Bronchitis
2. Clears Heat from the Blood (Leaf; Ayurveda, Unani, Tibetan):
-skin conditions from excess Bile and Blood Heat
-Skin diseases, Eczema, Psoriasis, Erysipelas, Leprosy; Burning Sensations
-Inflammatory conditions of the Uterus
-regarded as an excellent Blood purifier in Ayurveda, Unani, and Tibetan Medicine
3. Clears Stomach Heat:
-Hyperacidity, Stomach Ulcers (Leaf)
-Thirst (Tibet)
-Colitis, Crohn's Disease
4. Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urine:
-Urinary discharges
-Edema, Ascites
-Neem oil has been found beneficial in Diabetic patients (relieved itching, indigestion, tiredness, increased wound healing)
5. Kills Worms:
-Worms; Ascaris, Helminthiasis (leaf, bark, fruit)
6. Anti-Fertility:
-Neem oil has been showed to have anti-fertility effects on males and females; it is spermicidal.
7. Externally:
-all fungal and bacterial skin diseases (oil topically)
-inflammations of the mouth and throat; Toothache (leaf infusion as a wash)
-the fresh twigs are chewed and used to cleanse the teeth and gums; used in Toothpastes
-leaf juice or strong infusion as an eyewash for red, sore, inflamed eyes, Conjunctivitis; also Night-blindness
-Oil is used topically for Ulcers
-Paste or Oil is applied to Ringworm, Skin disease, Ulcers and Leprosy
-in compound oils for rheumatism, arthritis, hemiplegia, paralysis
-Fissures, Fistulas and Hemorrhoids
-the oil is used intra-vaginally as a contraceptive
-strong wash or the oil is used to kill Lice
-Mosquito repellent (oil, 5% dilution)
-used in soaps and shampoos
-used as an insecticide in home and garden
Dose:
Powder of the Bark: 500mg–4 grams; Decoction of the Bark: 3–9 grams; Tincture of the Bark (1:3, 25% alcohol): 3–15mls;
Powder of the Leaf: 500mg–2 grams; Leaf Juice: 10–20mls.;
Powder of the Seed: 200–500mg
Oil: 5–10 drops
Correctives:
1. Aniseed (Unani)
2. In India, it is common to correct the coldness of Neem with Ginger or Pepper
Powder of the Bark: 500mg–4 grams; Decoction of the Bark: 3–9 grams; Tincture of the Bark (1:3, 25% alcohol): 3–15mls;
Powder of the Leaf: 500mg–2 grams; Leaf Juice: 10–20mls.;
Powder of the Seed: 200–500mg
Oil: 5–10 drops
Correctives:
1. Aniseed (Unani)
2. In India, it is common to correct the coldness of Neem with Ginger or Pepper
Main Combinations:
Commonly prescribed with Picrorhiza
1. Skin diseases:
i. Neem is often combined with Madder (Ayurveda)
ii. Neem, Bacopa
iii. Neem, Centella, Swertia
iv, Neem, Madder, Psoralea, Licorice
v. Neem, Madder, Turmeric, Picrorhiza
vi. Neem, Cassia Fistula, Picrorhiza, Madder
vii. Neem, Sandalwood, Hemidesmus
viii. Neem, Psoralea, Picrorhiza
ix. Neem, Barberry, Eclipta
x. Neem, Chrysanthemum, Rose, Madder
xi. from Wind-Phlegm, Neem, Turmeric, Licorice
xii. Neem with Phyllanthus amarus, Psoralea, Madder
xiii. Neem, Madder, Sandalwood, Rose, Licorice
xiv. Inflammatory skin conditions, Neem, with Turmeric, Gotu Kola, Madder, Tinospora, Rose
2. Acne, Neem, Bdellium, Tinospora, Turmeric, Triphala
8.. Blood Heat, Neem, Andrographis, Madder, Barberry, Rose
4. Inflammation from Damp-Heat (Phlegm-Bile), Neem with Turmeric and Tinospora
5. As a blood purifier in Scabies, Abscess and Syphilis, Neem with Fumitory, White Sandalwood and China root (Unani)
6. Syphilis:
i. crushed leaf is besten with polished rice and applied to Syphilis (India)
ii. bark powder is taken with sugar candy for Syphilis (India)
iii. Neem with Fumitory, White Sandalwood and China root
7. Fever:
i. from mixed Humors, Neem, Coriander seed, Sandalwood
ii. from Damp-Heat (Phlegm-Bile), Neem, with Basil, Pepper
8. Malaria: leaves of Neem, Morinda lucida, Alstonia boonei and Mango
9. Hepatitis, Liver inflammation from excess Bile (Pitta):
i. Neem, Picrorhiza, Tinospora
ii. Neem, Picrorhiza, Phyllanthus amarus, Long Pepper
iii. Neem, Eclipta, Madder, Picrorhiza, Long Pepper
10. Liver congestion with Heat, Neem, Tinospora, Barberry
11. Intestinal Inflammations, Neem with Picrorhiza, Licorice, Shatavari, Chebulic and Emblic Myrobalans
12. Lung Heat Cough, Bronchitis:
i. Neem, Licorice, Adhatoda
ii. Neem, Licorice, Asparagus root
13. Diabetes:
i. Neem with Fenugreek, Gymnema, Turmeric
ii. Neem, Gymnema, Bdellium, Bitter Melon, Turmeric, Shilajit
iii. Neem with Gymnema, Turmeric, Shilajit
14. Daibetic Foot, Neem, St. John's wort
15. Mouth inflammations, Ulcers, Neem with Myrrh topically
14. Intermittent Fever, Neem with Black Pepper
17. Worms and Parasites:
i. Neem with Andrographis and Pumpkin seed
ii. Neem with Bitter Melon, Garlic
18. Infections, Neem with Picrorhiza and Andrographis
19. As a wash for Fungal infections, Neem with Mugwort as a wash
20. Hemorrhoids, Neem, Tinospora, Aloe, Triphala
21. Topically for Heat and Inflammation, Neem with Turmeric as a wash
22. Topically for Lice, Neem Oil, Coconut oil (equal parts), with essential oils of Rosemary, Lavender, Tea Tree added
23. Tinea: topical application of Neem, Turmeric and Cassia tora seed (this has been studied)
Major Formulas:
Arsoghni Vati (Hemorrhoid Pills) (Ayurveda)
Nimbadi Churna (Neem Powder) (Ayurveda)
Notopterygium 29 Pills (Spru nag nyer dgu) (Tibetan)
Cautions:
1. Wind constitution or Yin deficiency (very bitter and drying)
2. Not used in Cold symptoms.
3. Wasting, deficiency or weakness
4. Pregnancy or those wanting to become pregnant
5. Allergic contact stomatitis caused by neem leaves (Azadirachta indica).
6. Haemolytic anaemia after ingestion of Neem (Azadirachta indica) tea.
Toxicity:
–Azadirachta indica A. Juss. In Vivo Toxicity-An Updated Review
–Toxicological evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil: acute and subacute toxicity.
–A 90-day subchronic toxicity study of neem oil, a Azadirachta indica oil, in mice.
–Toxicity profile of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica stem bark in male Wistar rats.
–Cytogenetic toxicity of neem.
Main Preparations used:
Oil
1. Wind constitution or Yin deficiency (very bitter and drying)
2. Not used in Cold symptoms.
3. Wasting, deficiency or weakness
4. Pregnancy or those wanting to become pregnant
5. Allergic contact stomatitis caused by neem leaves (Azadirachta indica).
6. Haemolytic anaemia after ingestion of Neem (Azadirachta indica) tea.
Toxicity:
–Azadirachta indica A. Juss. In Vivo Toxicity-An Updated Review
–Toxicological evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil: acute and subacute toxicity.
–A 90-day subchronic toxicity study of neem oil, a Azadirachta indica oil, in mice.
–Toxicity profile of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica stem bark in male Wistar rats.
–Cytogenetic toxicity of neem.
Main Preparations used:
Oil
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'This tree, in Sanskrit Nimba, is a native of India, and is cultivated in all parts of the country on account of its medicinal properties. The leaves, bark and other products of the Nim have been articles of the Hindu Materia Medica from a very remote period, and are mentioned in the Ayurvedas of Susruta. The bark is considered to be bitter, tonic, and astringent. The leaves are added to poultices to disperse glandular tumours, and are used generally as a discutient; beaten into a pulp they are applied to pustular eruptions, more especially to the eruption of small-pox; their juice is anthelmintic, and is given in a variety of diseases, such as jaundice, purigo, boils, &c. Chakradatta recommends a poultice of the leaves mixed with Sesamum seeds for unhealthy ulcerations. The fruit is described as purgative, emollient, and anthelmintic. The oil of the seeds is applied to suppurating scrofulous glands, is given in leprosy, and a variety of diseases. The gum is said to have stimulant properties. The young trees tapped yield a saccharine juice, which when fermented is used as a stomachic ; several observers have noticed that in certain years this juice appears to flow with unusual abundance. The air waved with a Nim branch is supposed to be a cure for syphilis, hence the Hindustani saying— "Khuda kare nim ki tahni hath men ho." "May God place a nim branch in his hand." Anglice,—"A pox take him." The insane are passed through a cleft of the tree or a stem which having parted and reunited forms a circular opening. This useful tree naturally attracted the attention of the Mahometans upon their arrival in the country, and they named it Azaddarakht-i-Hindi, from its resemblance to the Melia Azedarach or Persian lilac.
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The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya is careful to point out that the Indian Nim is not found in Persia. He describes the Nim and Azadarakht separately, giving Bakayan as the Indian name for the latter. The quotation from the Makhzan in the Bengal Dispensatory appears to be incorrect, as I can find no such statement under the articles Nim or Azaddarakht. The Mahometans use the different products of the Nim in the same manner as the Hindus, and like them consider it to be cold and dry.
Amongst European physicians, Dr. White, of Bombay, has recommended the bark as a febrifuge; others have spoken favourably of the leaves as a local application to ulcers and certain obstinate skin diseases. Dr. Hove (1787) thus speaks of the Nim tree:— "The Gentoos here worship this tree, and their barren women invoke and perform the same ceremonies round it every morning as they usually do in the other Pergunnahs about the Ficus religiosa. The leaves are of a powerful bitter, and they use a strong decoction with great success in intermittents, and which I usually drank for my liver complaint and found myself much relieved by it." He also notices the use of the gum by lying-in women.— (Hove, account of Mitampoor.) From recent experience detailed in the Pharmacopoeia of India, it would appear that the opinion of the natives of India regarding the medicinal properties of the different parts of this tree is substantially correct. The bark is now official in the above-mentioned Pharmacopoeia.' (Vegetable Materia Medica of Western India, Dymock, 1885) |
Last updated 01/24