Article by Dr Shilpa Ramdas Bams MD (Ayu)

Maha Nimba also known as the Malabar Neem, belongs to the Meliaceae family. It is often confused with the common Neem (Azadirachta indica). Maha Nimba is valued for its medicinal properties.  It is also cultivated for wood and agroforestry benefits. It is widely used in plywood, paper industries, and reforestation projects. Its leaves and bark have traditional uses in Ayurveda medicinal preparation , particularly for their antimicrobial and insect-repellent properties.

Scientific Name: Melia azedarach
Family: Meliaceae (Mahogany family)

Synonyms
महानिम्बो मदोद्रेकः कार्मुकः केशमुष्टिकः |
काकाण्डो रम्यकोऽक्षीरो महातिक्तो हिमद्रुमः ||११|| ( R N)

महानिम्बः स्मृतो द्रेका रम्यको विषमुष्टिकः |
केशामुष्टिर्निम्बकश्च कार्मुको जीव इत्यपि ||८५|| (BP)

Mahodreka
Karmuka
Keshamushtika
Kakanta
Ramyaka
aksahira
Mahatikta
Himadruma
Jiva
Vishamushtika – It is useful in rat poisoning

Common Names:
English name: Indian Lilac, Persian Lilac, Bead Tree,
Hindi – Bakain / Drek
Punjabi – Dharek
Bengali: Ghoranim
Sanskrit: Mahanimba
Kannada: Kadu Bevu
Punjabi: Dharek, Bakain, Drek
Malayalam: malaveppu

Botanical Description:
A medium-sized deciduous tree that grows to a height of 30–60 feet. Leaves are Dark green, alternate, bipinnate compound leaves with serrated edges.
Flowers: Small, pale purple colored
Fruits: Small, round, yellowish when ripe.
Bark: Greyish -brown, rough with fissures

Parts Used: Leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, and roots

Medicinal Uses:
It has antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties.
Leaves are used in treating skin diseases, ulcers, and fever. Treats bacterial and fungal infections
Wound Healing: Paste made from leaves and bark is used to heal wounds
Bark has  Astringent taste, it has anthelmintic property.
Fruits & Seeds are used as a purgative and insect repellent
Liver Health: Aids in detoxification and supports liver function

Properties
महानिम्बस्तु शिशिरः कषायः कटुतिक्तकः |
अस्रदाहबलासघ्नो विषमज्वरनाशनः ||१२|| ( R N)

महानिम्बो हिमो रूक्षस्तिक्तो ग्राही कषायकः |
कफपित्तभ्रमच्छर्दिकुष्ठहृल्लासरक्तजित् |
प्रमेहश्वासगुल्मार्शोमूषिकाविषनाशनः ||८६|| (BP Ni Guduchyadi varga)  

महानिम्बः स्मृतोद्रेकी कार्मुको विषमुष्टिकः |
केशमुष्टिर्निम्बवरो रम्यकोऽक्षीव एव च ||३४||
कैडर्यः पिचुमन्दश्च निम्बोऽरिष्टो वरत्वचः |
छर्दिघ्नो हिङ्गुनिर्यासः प्रियशालश्च पार्वतः ||३५||
महानिम्बो रसे तिक्तः शीतः पित्तकफापहः |
कुष्ठरक्तविनाशी च विषूचीं हन्ति शीतलः ||३६||
(Dhanwantari Nighantu / Guduchyadi varga)

Taste – Kashaya (Atringent), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter )
Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
Virya – Sita
Vipaka – Katu
Action on dosha – Pitta kapha samaka
Action on Dhatu – Rakta prasadaka

Rogaghnata –
Vishamajvara nasana – indicated in fever
Bhrama – Giddiness
Hrillasa – Nausea
Chardhi – Vomiting
Kushta – Skin disorders
Rata pitta- bleeding disorders
Prameha – Diabetes
Swasa – Breathing disorders
Gulma – phantom tumour
Arshas – Hemorrhoids
Mushika visha – Rat poisoning

Its cold potency and Kashaya, katu rasa helps to pacify pitta dosha, and katu vipaka and katu, tikta, Kashaya taste pacifies kapha dosha.
The Sarngadhara Samhita text describes the use of Mahanimba seeds in the management of Diabetes Mellitus. Mahanimba seeds are triturated with rice water, ghee is added and taken internally.

Dose
Decoction – 50 – 100 ml
Seed powder – 1 – 3 gram

Other Uses:
It is mainly used in furniture industry.
Leaves and seeds act as natural insecticides. A decoction or aqueous extract of Mahanimba leaves and seeds is sprayed on crops to repel and control pests.
Seeds are used to make rosaries and jewelry

Chemical Composition (Active Compounds)
Mahanimba contains several bioactive compounds, including:
Alkaloids: Azaridine (Margosine)
Seeds contain fatty oils like Stearic, palmitic acids.
The saponins and tannins present in Mahanimba exhibit antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Toxicity:
Fruits and seeds contain neurotoxins that can be toxic if ingested in large amounts, causing vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and neurological symptoms in humans and animals.

Toxic Effects:
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Weakness, tremors, respiratory distress, seizures, paralysis
Fatal in large doses

Toxic Compounds:
Meliatoxins & Toosendanin (affect nervous and digestive systems)

8. Comparison with Azadirachta indica (Neem)
Both Melia azedarach (Mahanimba) and Azadirachta indica (Neem) belong to the same family (Meliaceae) and have similar properties, but they have key differences:

Feature	Melia azedarach (Mahanimba)	Azadirachta indica (Neem)
Leaves	Bipinnate, larger, serrated	Simple, smaller, serrated
Flowers	Purple/lilac, fragrant	White, mild fragrance
Fruits	Yellow, round,	Greenish-yellow,
Medicinal Value	Lesser medicinal value compared to Neem, mainly used as an ornamental plant and for furniture making	Stronger medicinal properties
Toxicity	More toxic, especially seeds	Less toxic, safe in small amounts
Growth Rate	Faster-growing	Moderately fast-growing

Home remedies

1. Crush fresh leaves and apply the paste to the affected area
2. Boil leaves in water and use the decoction as a skin wash
3. Leaf Extract is used to spray on crops to repel insects
4. Burnt Leaves Smoke can be used as a mosquito repellent
5. Animal Health (Veterinary Uses) – Treats parasites and skin diseases in livestock
6. Improves soil fertility by adding organic matter
7. Leaves and twigs are used as green manure in fields
8. Used in  Furniture, tool handles, and fuelwood
9. Seeds are used to make rosaries, prayer beads, and decorative items
10. Bark and leaves contain tannins used in natural dyeing

Precautions & Side Effects
Over dose of seeds and fruits are toxic to Humans & Animals .
Keep away from children and pets
Avoid during pregnancy & breastfeeding
Use only under expert guidance in medicinal applications

Summary
Mahanimba (Melia azedarach) is a tree with medicinal, environmental, and commercial benefits. However, due to its toxicity, it must be used with caution. It is similar to Neem but more toxic, making it less suitable for direct medicinal use. It is mainly valued for pest control, timber, and environmental benefits.