Neem
Sanskrit: Nimba
Azadirachta indica
A bitter tree whose leaves and oil have long been part of household skin, scalp and mouth-care traditions.
Also known as
Neem · Nimba · Indian lilac · Margosa
- hindi:
- Neem
- tamil:
- Vembu
- telugu:
- Vepa
- bengali:
- Nim
- marathi:
- Kadunimb
Parts used
- Leaves
- Bark
- Twigs
Traditional overview
- Neem twigs were traditionally used as a chewing stick for mouth cleaning.
- Neem leaves are traditionally boiled and the cooled water used for external rinses.
- Neem oil is a traditional external preparation for skin and scalp care, always diluted.
Common traditional forms
- leaf infusion for external rinse
- diluted oil
- powder
- paste
Wellness tags
- skin
- scalp
- oral hygiene
Body focus
- skin
- mouth
- scalp
Concerns
- oily skin
- scalp buildup
- oral hygiene
What to know before use
Predominantly an external household herb — leaf pastes, washes and scalp rinses. Patch-test before wider skin use. Internal use of neem leaf is not a casual practice and needs practitioner guidance; neem seed oil must never be swallowed and is dangerous to children even in small amounts. Avoid internal use in pregnancy, while trying to conceive, in breastfeeding and in childhood.
Important cautions
External household use of diluted neem is the traditional pattern. Internal use of concentrated neem oil, seed extracts or capsules is a very different thing and carries real risk, especially for children.
Who should avoid it
- Anyone considering internal use of neem oil or seed extracts
- People with liver or kidney conditions
- People trying to conceive, as traditional texts caution against it
- Anyone with a known neem allergy
Medicine interactions
- May add to the effect of medicines for blood sugar
- Caution alongside immune-modulating medicines
- Caution with medicines processed by the liver
PregnancyAvoid internal use during pregnancy and while nursing. External diluted use should still be checked with a practitioner.
ChildrenNever give neem oil or neem seed preparations internally to children — serious harm has been reported. External diluted use only, and patch test first.
Quality and buying guidance
Fresh leaves should be bright green and intensely bitter. Dried leaf or powder should smell clean and bitter, not musty — bitterness fading indicates age. Buy labelled Azadirachta indica products from a licensed manufacturer with batch and expiry, and keep any neem oil clearly labelled and well out of children's reach. Store dried leaf airtight and dark.
What does the evidence say?
This entry rests on traditional and household use recorded over generations, not on clinical trials. Treat it as cultural and educational information.
Traditional wellness information only — not medical advice. Start small, and check with a qualified practitioner if you are pregnant, nursing, treating a child, or managing a medical condition.