Mahanimba

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 samhitaKrimighna, 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

  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
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