# Nimba Beeja

> Nimba Beeja (Azadirachta indica) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) or nanoemulsions improve bioavailability 2-4 fold. Neem seed oil fatty acids (oleic, stearic, palmitic) are well absorbed and may enhance co-absorption of lipophilic actives.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Azadirachta indica

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | [Nimba](/herb/nimba/) Beeja |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Snigdha, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Seed oil (cold-pressed), Capsule (oil-filled soft gel), Tablet (de-oiled seed cake extract), Emulsifiable concentrate, Granule (for soil application), Cream/ointment (topical)

**Standard Dosage:** 500-1000 mg [neem](/herb/neem/) seed oil in soft gel capsules daily; 1-2 g de-oiled seed cake powder daily; topical oil application diluted 2-5% in carrier oil

**Bioavailability:** [Azadirachtin](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#azadirachtin) from seed has limited oral bioavailability (~10-20%) due to instability in gastric acid and poor membrane permeability. Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) or nanoemulsions improve bioavailability 2-4 fold. [Neem](/herb/neem/) seed oil fatty acids (oleic, stearic, palmitic) are well absorbed and may enhance co-absorption of lipophilic actives. Topical bioavailability depends on oil concentration and skin integrity.

**Optimal Timing:** Oral: after meals with food to improve lipid-based absorption. Topical: evening application preferred; avoid sun exposure on treated areas due to photosensitivity potential.

**Standardized Extract:** Cold-pressed neem seed oil with minimum azadirachtin 1500 ppm, acid value <8 mg KOH/g, peroxide value <10 mEq/kg. De-oiled seed cake extract standardized to azadirachtin >0.3%.

**Shelf Life:** Cold-pressed oil: 12-18 months; De-oiled cake powder: 12-18 months; Soft gel capsules: 18-24 months; Standardized extract: 24 months

**Storage:** Oil: amber glass or HDPE containers, below 25 deg C, nitrogen headspace to prevent oxidation. Powder/extract: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, RH <50%. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources.

**Marker Compounds:** Azadirachtin A, Azadirachtin B, [Nimbin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#nimbin), [Salannin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#salannin), Oleic acid, [Stearic acid](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#stearic-acidstearic-acid), Palmitic acid, [Gedunin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#gedunin)

### Extraction Methods

- Cold-press mechanical extraction of seed oil (traditional Ghani method)
- Solvent extraction with food-grade hexane (industrial scale)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for high-purity azadirachtin fractions
- Aqueous kernel extraction for water-soluble bioactives
- Enzymatic extraction for improved oil yield

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Karanja](/herb/karanja/) seed oil (synergistic biopesticide and skin care)
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (enhanced [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) and [wound-healing](/reference/wound-healing/) oil formulation)
- [Coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) (carrier oil with complementary antimicrobial activity)
- Tea tree oil (synergistic antifungal for topical preparations)

---

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/nimba-beeja/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.