Botanical name: Melia azadarach
Family name: Meliaceae
Identification No.- SDACH/HG/173
Vernacular names
Hindi name– Bakain
English name– Persian lilac
Bengali name– Bakarjam
Tamil name– Kattu Vembhu, Malaivembu
Telugu name – Kali-yapa, Turka Vepa
Malyalam name – Malaveppu
Kannada name – Bevu
Synonyms-
महानिम्बः स्मृतो द्रेका रम्यको विषमुष्टिकः ।
केशमुष्टिर्निम्बकश्च कार्मुको जीव इत्यपि ॥९७॥
महानिम्बो हिमो रूक्षस्तिक्तो ग्राही कषायकः ॥९८॥
कफपित्तभ्रमच्छर्दिकुष्ठहृल्लासरक्तजित् ।
प्रमेहश्वासगुल्मार्शोमूषिकाविषनाशनः ॥९९॥
Bhav Prakash
Classification
Charaka samhita– Krimighna, Kandughna
Bhavaprakasha- Guduchyadi varga
Habitat & Distribution: Commonly found in various parts of India, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharastra, Odisha, Punjab
Morphology- It is a large tree growing up to 20-25 m. high. Leaves- imparipinnate, crowded at the ends, of branches; leaflets 9-17, opposite, sub opposite; lanceolate, acuminate, serrate or dentate, glabrous. Flowers-numerous, white, honey-scented. Fruits- 1- seeded drupes, oblong, yellow when ripe., Seeds contain oil. (Flowers in February-April and fruits during June-August)
Phytochemicals:
Azadirachtin, azadirachtanin, azadirone, nimbandiol, nimbin, nimbolide sitosterol, kulinone, margosinolide, margosene, linoleic acid, arachidic acid etc.
Raspanchaka–
Rasa– Katu;
Guna- Laghu, Ruksh, Tikshna;
Virya– ishat ushna;
Vipaka– Tikta, Katu, Kashya;
Prabhava- Arshoghan,
dosha shamakta– Tridosha shamak
Karma– Arshoghan,
Rogaghnata- Kushtaghan, vranshodhan, Krimighan, Arshoghan, Raktshodhaka, Jwarghan, Kasa, Swasa, Kastaartava, Prameha,
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses
External:
1) It is useful in all skin conditions specially in burning sensation.
2) Ointment prepared from seeds is applied in piles.
Internal:
1) Digestive system by its astringent and bitter property it improves taste and is constipative.
2) Leaves are stimulant of liver. Its bark decoction with honey is useful In jaundice, anorexia, vomiting, dysentery, intestinal worms, liver diseases.
3) It is effective in diabetes.
Part used:
Root, Twak, phalasthi
Dose:
decoction- 50-100 ml,
phalasti churna 1-3 grams
Yoga/Formulations:
Arshoghani vati
IUCN Status: Least concern
Research updates
- Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity: Research continues to evaluate the effectiveness of Mahanimba in alleviating pain and reducing inflammation, particularly in conditions like sciatica. Studies often compare Mahanimba’s efficacy with conventional pain relievers.
- Antipyretic Activity: Studies are investigating Mahanimba’s ability to lower fever, with findings indicating its potential as a natural remedy for fevers, including those associated with malaria.
