Scientific name : Azadirachta indica
Family name : Meliaceae
Azadirachta indica, commonly known as margosa, neem nimtree or Indian lilac.
A.indica(linn)is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 metres (49–66 ft), and rarely 35–40 m (115–131 ft). It is evergreen, shedding many of its leaves during the dry winter months. The branches are wide and spreading. The fairly dense crown is roundish and may reach a diameter of 20–25 m (66–82 ft). The opposite, pinnate leaves are 20–40 cm (8–16 in) long, with 20 to 30 medium to dark green leaflets about 3–8 cm (1+1⁄4–3+1⁄4 in) long. The terminal leaflet often is missing. The petioles are short.
White and fragrant flowers are arranged in more-or-less drooping axillary panicles which are up to 25 cm (10 in) long.
The fruit is a smooth (glabrous), olive-like drupe which varies in shape from elongate oval to nearly roundish.
Chemical constituents :
Azadirachta indica L. (neem) shows therapeutics role in health management due to rich source of various types of ingredients. The most important active constituent is azadirachtin and the others are nimbolinin, nimbin, nimbidin, nimbidol, sodium nimbinate, gedunin, salannin, and quercetin. Leaves contain ingredients such as nimbin, nimbanene, 6-desacetylnimbinene, nimbandiol, nimbolide, ascorbic acid, n-hexacosanol and amino acid, 7-desacetyl-7-benzoylazadiradione, 7-desacetyl-7-benzoylgedunin, 17-hydroxyazadiradione, and nimbiol. Quercetin and ß-sitosterol, polyphenolic flavonoids, were purified from neem fresh leaves and were known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties and seeds hold valuable constituents including gedunin and azadirachtin.
Properties :
Guna: Laghu
Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
Virya: Sheet(cold)
Vipaka: Katu
Pharmacological actions: anti-mocrobial, antipyretic, anti-pruritic etc.
Benefits :
1.Neem leaf is used for leprosy, eye disorders, bloody nose, intestinal worms, stomach upset, loss of appetite, skin ulcers, diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), fever, diabetes, gum disease (gingivitis), and liver problems.
2.The bark is used for malaria, stomach and intestinal ulcers, skin diseases, pain, and fever.
3.The flower is used for reducing bile, controlling phlegm, and treating intestinal worms.
4.The fruit is used for hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, urinary tract disorders, bloody nose, phlegm, eye disorders, diabetes, wounds, and leprosy.
5.Neem twigs are used for cough, asthma, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, low sperm levels, urinary disorders, and diabetes. People in the tropics sometimes chew neem twigs instead of using toothbrushes.
Is Nimba safe :
Doses of up to 60 mg daily for up to 10 weeks have been used safely.
Neem is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in large doses or for long periods of time. It might harm the kidneys and liver.