Danta-mañjana Cūrṇa · दन्त-मञ्जन चूर्ण
daily tooth care; fresh breath.
Neem (Nimba)
Nimba निम्ब
Azadirachta indica · Meliaceae
Common: Neem · Margosa · Indian lilac
tree leafbarkseed oiltwig shita cultivated
Rasa-Panchaka — five-fold pharmacology
- Rasa
- tikta · kashaya— tastes at first contact
- Guna
- laghu · ruksha— qualities
- Virya
- shita— potency (cooling)
- Vipaka
- katu— post-digestive effect
Dosha effect
V
Vata
·neutral
P
Pitta
↓pacifies
K
Kapha
↓pacifies
pacifies (↓) aggravates (↑) neutral (·)
Functions
anti-microbial supremeanti-fungalanti-acneanti-Kushthatooth-cleansing
The premier anti-microbial herb in Ayurveda. Leaves, bark, seeds (oil), and twigs all used.
Active compounds: azadirachtin (insect-deterrent, anti-parasitic), nimbidin (anti-microbial), gedunin (anti-fungal), margolone (anti-bacterial).
Cosmetic uses
- Tooth-cleansing twigs (Danta-kashtha) — neem stick is the original toothbrush (Sushruta Cikitsa 24.3)
- Acne face lepas — leaf powder + honey
- Anti-dandruff scalp masks — leaf paste + buttermilk
- Bath water — neem leaves boiled in bath water for skin disorders
- Neem oil at 0.5-2 % in anti-Kushtha Tailas
Used in 7 recipes
Lākṣādi Lepa · लाक्षादि लेप
post-acne marks; scarring.
Mahānīla Ghṛta · महानील घृत
severe Kushtha — incurable form; Shvitra (leucoderma).
Mahātikta Ghṛta · महातिक्त घृत
Kushtha (all skin disease forms); chronic fevers.
Mukha-saundaryakara Lepa · मुख-सौन्दर्यकर लेप
general dullness; uneven complexion.
Tikta Sarpis · तिक्त सर्पिस्
mild Kushtha; chronic fever.
Dāruṇaka Lepa · दारुणक लेप
Darunaka (dandruff); scalp itch.