Nimba

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Neem
Latin/Botanical	Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

Parts Used

• Leaf
• Bark
• Seed
• Oil
• Flower
• Root

Dosha Effects

Dosha	Effect
Pitta	Decreases
Kapha	Decreases
Vata	May Increase

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Azadirachtin (limonoid - primary bioactive, 72-90% of biological activity)
• Nimbidin (bitter compound with anti-inflammatory activity)
• Nimbolide (cytotoxic tetranortriterpenoid)
• Nimbin (triterpenoid)
• Gedunin (limonoid)
• Salannin (tetranortriterpenoid)
• Quercetin (flavonoid antioxidant)
• Nimbidol (antimicrobial compound)

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Anti-parasitic
• Blood purifier
• Anti-diabetic
• Antipyretic
• Insecticidal

How does it work?

• Nimbolide antimicrobial cell wall disruption: Nimbolide inhibits microbial cell wall synthesis and shows greatest zone of inhibition against S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae
• Azadirachtin immunomodulatory activity: Modulates immune cell function including T-cell and macrophage activity, relevant to immune-mediated skin conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis
• Limonoid anti-inflammatory cascade: Nimbidin and gedunin suppress prostaglandin synthesis and inhibit complement activation
• Antifungal membrane disruption: Neem compounds disrupt fungal cell membrane integrity, with reported activity against dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum) and Malassezia species

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

• Acne (Yauvanpidika): traditionally used for acne. A clinical study reported reduced inflammatory acne in participants using a neem face wash.
• Fungal skin infections (Dadru/Kushtha): traditionally used for fungal skin infections. Research has reported broad-spectrum antifungal activity against dermatophytes and Malassezia.
• Dandruff/scalp conditions: traditionally used for dandruff and scalp conditions. A clinical study reported reduced dandruff with neem leaf paste.
• Wounds and antiseptic use (Vrana): traditionally used on wounds and as an antiseptic. Research has reported antimicrobial activity against major wound-infecting pathogens.

How is it used traditionally?

Called ‘Sarva Roga Nivarini’ (curer of all ailments). Extensively used in Kushtha (skin diseases), Prameha (diabetes), and Krimi (parasitic infections). Twigs used as toothbrush (Datun).

Where is it described in the classical texts?

• Charaka Samhita
• Sushruta Samhita
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu

What do recent studies show?

• Gopinath H, Karthikeyan K 2021. Neem in Dermatology: Shedding Light on the Traditional Panacea. Indian journal of dermatology. PMID 35283494 · doi:10.4103/ijd.ijd_562_21
  Dermatology review summarised reported uses and evidence for neem in acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts, and fungal infections, including proposed anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant mechanisms, while noting the need for more rigorous clinical trials.
• Dani PB, Ghorpade VK 2025. Effect of Neem Leaf Paste Application on Dandruff. Cureus. PMID 40242687 · doi:10.7759/cureus.80685
  A clinical study reported that applying neem leaf paste reduced dandruff symptoms. Neem is traditionally used for scalp conditions, including those linked to Malassezia species.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Topical neem preparations are generally well-tolerated; however, neem oil can cause contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals. Internal consumption of neem oil has raised toxicity concerns especially in children - oral neem oil should be used with caution
• Long-term safety data for cosmetic-grade neem preparations is limited; comprehensive safety testing needed. Neem oil should not be applied undiluted to skin. Pregnancy contraindicated for oral neem use due to potential abortifacient effects

Recommended Dosage

Leaf powder: 1 to 3 g (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. II); Leaf juice: as given under Standard Dosage; Neem oil: external use only

Safety, contraindications and cautions

• Pregnancy (abortifacient)
• Trying to conceive (anti-fertility)
• Infants/children (internal use)
• Organ transplant patients (immunostimulant)

What is it made of?

Part(s) Analyzed: Leaf/Bark/Seed

Terpenoids

• Azadirachtin (0.2-0.6%)
• Nimbin (0.1-0.3%)
• Nimbidin
• Nimbinin
• Nimbolide (0.05-0.2%)
• Salannin
• Gedunin
• Mahmoodin

Flavonoids

• Quercetin (0.1-0.3%)
• Kaempferol
• Myricetin
• Rutin

Alkaloids

• Nimbimine
• Nimbidine
• Nimbinine

Phenolics

• Gallic acid (0.5-1.0%)
• Catechol
• Protocatechuic acid

Tannins

• Condensed tannins (2-5%)
• Gallic acid tannins

Steroids_Saponins

• Beta-sitosterol (0.1%)
• Stigmasterol
• Campesterol

Glycosides

• Nimbosterol
• Nimbioside

Fatty_acids

• Oleic acid (40-50%)
• Stearic acid (15-20%)
• Palmitic acid (15-18%)

Coumarins

• Scopoletin (trace)
• Margosine

Principal limonoid content

• Azadirachtin: 0.2-0.6%
• Nimbin: 0.1-0.3%
• Limonoids: major fraction

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Tablet, Capsule, Churna, Kwatha, Arishtam (Nimbarishta), Oil (external), Cream, Tincture, Swarasa (fresh juice)

Standard Dosage: 1-3 g bark powder daily; 400-600 mg standardized bark extract twice daily; 10-20 mL Nimbarishta after meals; 10-15 mL fresh juice

Optimal Timing: Before meals for digestive and hepatoprotective benefits. Arishtam taken post-meal, with equal water.

Storage: Dry powders and extracts: below 25 deg C, RH <60%, protected from light. Arishtam: amber glass bottles, room temperature, no refrigeration needed. Do not store in reactive metal containers.

Marker Compounds: Nimbidin, Nimbolide, Nimbin, Nimbinin, Gallic acid, Catechin, Margolone, Margolonone

Synergistic Combinations

• Kutaja (synergistic anti-diarrheal and anti-dysenteric)
• Patola (blood purification in Tikta Rasa formulations)
• Guduchi (hepatoprotective combination)
• Haridra (anti-inflammatory and skin health)
• Triphala (comprehensive detoxification)