Botanical Name

Melia azedarach L.

Family

Meliaceae.

Synonyms

Melia cochinchinensis M.Roem,; Melia dubia Cav. ; Melia japonica G.Don

Regional Name

English : Persian Lilac, Hindi : Bakain, Drek, Sanskrit : Ramyaka, Dreka, Urdu : Neem, Punjabi : Dharek, Bakain, Drek, Assamese : Khammaga, Bengali : Ghoranim, Gujrati : Bakan Limado, Bakai Nimbu, Kannada : Kadu bevu, Malayalam : Malaveppu, Marathi : Bakana Nimb, Tamil : Malaivembu, Telugu : Turakavepa.

Part Used

Fruit

Description

Mahaneem a moderate sized deciduous tree native to southern Asia, Indomalaya, China, Japan,  Australasia and is found throughout India and occurring wild in the sub-Himalayan tracts upto 1800 m. It heights up to 9 to 12 m. The fruit is a drupe, marble-sized, light yellow at maturity, hanging on the tree all winter, and gradually becoming wrinkled and almost white.

Phytoconstituents

The main chemical constituents are Tannins and Alkaloids. It contains Melianoninol, melianol, melianone, meliandiol, vanillin  and vanillic acid.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kasaya, Guna : Ruksa, Vipaka : Katu, Virya : Sita, Karma : Dahanasaka, Grahi, Kaphajita, Pittajita, Pittakaphahara, Raktadahahara, Rakta Vikarajita

Ayurvedic Applications

Arsa, Bhrama, Chardi, Gulma, Hrllasa, Kustha, Musika Visa, Prameha, Svasa, Visuci, Visamajvara.

Medicinal Uses

It is used in various diseases such as piles, skin problems, Eczema, ring worms, itching on skin, burns, dandruff, fever, inflammation , Mouth ulcer, gum problem and bad breath. It is also used in Leucorrhoea, heavy periods, blood purification, Goitre, Gout, Arthritis, excess fat in body, tumours, abnormal cell growth, Intestinal parasites, Intestinal infection, Menstruation related problems, Vaginal and uterus infection.