Ingredient profile
Neem
Azadirachta indica
Bitter neem leaf, traditionally used in Ayurveda to support skin health.
- Hindi
- नीम
- Sanskrit
- Nimba
- Family
- Meliaceae
- Part used
- leaf
Traditional use
Neem is a fast-growing evergreen tree with feathery leaves and small, olive-like fruits. Almost every part of the tree is used in tradition.
In Ayurvedic tradition
Ayurveda values neem as a bitter, cooling herb for the skin and for oral care. Neem twigs were traditionally used as toothbrushes, and its leaves are a staple of skin formulations.
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa (taste): Bitter, astringent
- Guna (qualities): Light
- Virya (potency): Cooling
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Pungent
- Effect on the doshas: Balances pitta and kapha
How it is traditionally taken
Leaves are used as a powder, in capsules, as a paste on the skin, or in water for bathing.
Safety notes
Very bitter and cooling; not for long-term use without advice, and not during pregnancy or for young children. Use as directed on the product label. This profile is for general education and is not medical advice.
References
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (monograph: Nimba) pharmacopoeia