Year - 2026Volume - 4Issue - 1Pages - 88-94
Medicinal Use of Nimba (Azadirachta indica) in Ayurveda: An Integrated Review
24 Mar 2026
5
About Author
Patil D1,Narvekar D2,Nandedkar D3,
1 PG Scholar, Department Of Agad Tantra avum Vyavahara Ayurveda, YMT Ayurvedic Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
2 Associate Professor & Guide, Department of Agad Tantra avum Vyavahara Ayurveda, YMT Ayurvedic Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
3 Professor & HOD, Department of Agad Tantra avum Vyavahara Ayurveda, YMT Ayurvedic Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
Correspondence Address
B 43 A wing ABHINANDAN Room no 402 gokuldham goregaon East
Contact No. : 9145200569, Email : janhavipatil0610@gmail.com
Date of Acceptance : 31 Mar 2026
Date of Publication : 31 Mar 2026
Article ID : SD-IJAY_171
How to cite this article : http://doi.org/10.55552/SDNJAY.2026.4113
Abstract
Nimba (Azadirachta indica) is a prime medicinal plant in Ayurveda, widely used for skin diseases, fevers, infections, prameha, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Classical texts describe Nimba as tikta, sheeta, ruksha, and laghu, with predominant action on kapha–pitta doshas and utilities as krimighna, kushtaghna, jvaraghna, and raktashodhaka. Modern phytochemical studies reveal a rich liminoid profile
(azadirachtin, nimbin, nimbidin, etc.), along with flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and alkaloids, which underlie its broad‑spectrum pharmacological activities. Experimental evidence supports antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti‑inflammatory, wound‑healing, hepatoprotective, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and anthelmintic effects of Nimba extracts. This integrated review summarises standard Ayurvedic dosages and formulations (e.g., Nimba churna, Pancha Nimba Churna, Nimbamritasavam, Nimbadi Churna) alongside their alignment with modern pharmacological findings, highlighting Nimba as a model example of synergy between classical Ayurvedic knowledge and contemporary scientific validation.
Introduction
Nimba (Azadirachta indica), commonly known as Neem, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in Ayurveda, referred to traditionally as the “village pharmacy” due to its multiform therapeutic potential. The plant is used internally and externally for conditions ranging from skin diseases, fevers, and infections to metabolic disorders such as prameha and diabetes. Classical Ayurvedic texts describe Nimba as predominantly bitter (tikta), cooling (sheeta), and light (laghu), with strong action on Pitta and Kapha doshas. In recent decades, modern pharmacological research has validated many of these traditional claims, demonstrating antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti‑inflammatory, wound‑healing, and immunomodulatory activities of its extracts and constituents. This article presents an integrated review of Nimba’s medicinal use, focusing on dosage, formulations, phytochemistry, and pharmacological actions, viewed from both classical Ayurvedic and modern scientific perspectives.
Classical reference (single line):
“निम्बः निक्िशीिो रूक्षः कटुविपाकः कफवपत्तघ्िः कुष्ठकृमिज्िरहरः” – Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Nimba varga.
Materials and Methods
This review is based on a structured collation of:
Classical Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, focusing on description of Nimba under Rasa‑Guna‑Virya‑Vipaka‑Karma and therapeutic indications.
Modern pharmacological and phytochemical reviews on Azadirachta indica from PubMed, PMC, and peer‑reviewed journals (2012–2024).
Data extraction was limited to:
Standard Ayurvedic formulations and dosages.
Major phytochemical constituents.
Key pharmacological activities (antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti‑inflammatory, wound healing, hepatoprotective, anticancer, immunomodulatory, anthelmintic).
Discussion
The medicinal use of Nimba in Ayurveda exemplifies the integration of simple, time‑honored plant‑based therapeutics with modern mechanistic understanding.
Classical descriptions of its bitter, cooling, and detoxifying properties align closely with the high content of liminoids and phenolics identified in modern phytochemical studies. The broad‑spectrum pharmacological activities—antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti‑inflammatory, wound‑healing, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and anthelmintic— support its traditional indications in skin diseases, fevers, prameha, krimi‑roga, and chronic inflammatory conditions.
Clinically, Nimba is most beneficial when used in appropriate part‑specific formulations (leaf, bark, fruit, pancha‑nimba, liquids such as Nimbamritasavam) and at judicious doses, individualized to dosha, agni, and age. High or prolonged doses should be avoided in vata‑dominant, undernourished, or pregnant patients, as the ruksha and teekshna gunas may aggravate vata and reduce strength.
From a postgraduate‑research perspective, standardized extracts, fixed‑dose trials, long‑term safety, and studies on synergy with conventional drugs are areas needing further exploration. At the same time, carefully framed, text‑based Ayurvedic protocols (e.g., Pancha Nimba‑based detox–relief–rehab sequences) can be validated in clinical settings, preserving the classical wisdom while integrating modern pharmacology.
Conclusion
Nimba (Azadirachta indica) is a key drug in Ayurveda, used traditionally for skin diseases, fevers, infections, prameha, and inflammatory disorders. Its classical description as tikta, sheeta, ruksha, and laghu with kapha–pitta‑hara and raktashodhaka action matches modern findings of liminoids, flavonoids, and phenolics that give antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti‑inflammatory, wound‑healing, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and anthelmintic effects. Formulations like Nimba churna, Pancha Nimba Churna, Nimbamritasavam, and Nimbadi Churna, used in rational doses and individualised to prakriti and agni, remain clinically relevant today. For Ayurvedic postgraduates, further standardisation, dose‑response studies, and integrative clinical trials can strengthen Nimba’s place as a pReferences
Kumar S, et al. “Therapeutics Role of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and their active constituents.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2016.
Saleem S, et al. “A comprehensive review of phytochemical profile, pharmacological attributes and therapeutic prospective of Azadirachta indica.” Pharmacogn Rev, 2018.
Sharma R, et al. “Pharmacological activities of neem (Azadirachta indica): A review.” Pharmacognosy Journal, 2017.
Classical (Ayurvedic texts) – to cite in your own reference list:
Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 4 and Chikitsasthana (Kushtha, Jvara, Prameha).
Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana and Chikitsasthana.
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Nimba varga.