- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (South and Southeast Asia, China), Oceania (Australia)
- Sanskrit
- Nimba
- Other names
- Perzische sering
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 522
Melia azedarach
Herb · Asia
Chinaberry
Melia azedarach
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antipyretic, expels worms; fruit laxative; oil insecticidal and antiseptic.
Safety notes
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Chinese materia medica: Toxic: an overdose causes nausea, vomiting, breathlessness and arrhythmias. Do not use yourself.
Preparation
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Nimba. The tree is related to neem and bears fragrant lilac flowers. The bark and fruits (ku lian pi in Chinese medicine) were used against worms and externally against scabies; the fruits are poisonous. The hard seeds served as rosary beads, hence the Dutch name.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Astringent, tonic, antipyretic, expels worms; fruit laxative; oil insecticidal and antiseptic; for intermittent fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness, lack of appetite, skin diseases, leucorrhoea, leprosy, ulcers, rheumatism, eczema, ringworm, scabies.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: decoction, tincture, powder, oil (partly external).
Caution: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, cold
- Meridians
- liver, spleen, small intestine
Attributed effects
The fruit of the related Melia toosendan (chuan lian zi) drains damp heat and moves qi in pain in the stomach area, abdomen and flanks and in hernia, and was used against intestinal worms; powdered externally for fungal infections.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist. The root bark (ku lian gen pi) is bitter, cold and toxic; it was used against roundworms, hookworms and pinworms and externally for fungal infections.
Combinations
- With corydalis for pain
- Root bark with areca nut for hookworm
- Root bark with bai bu for pinworms
Caution: Toxic: an overdose causes nausea, vomiting, breathlessness and arrhythmias. Do not use yourself.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionTincturePowder and kitchen
- Formulas
- Yi guan jian