Ayurvedic Herb

Neem (has a safety note)

SanskritNimbaBotanicalAzadirachta indicaAlso calledMargosa, Indian lilac

One of the most bitter plants in Ayurveda, a cooling leaf used mostly on the skin and in the mouth to clear excess heat.

* Safety note: Neem oil is poisonous if swallowed, and neem is not for pregnancy or children; read the cautions. Read the cautions

Neem is a tall, shady evergreen that grows almost everywhere in India. People sit under it in the heat of the day, and for generations a fresh neem twig was the morning toothbrush.

Chew a leaf and you will never forget it. Neem is one of the most bitter tastes in the plant world. In Ayurveda, bitter means cooling, light and drying, and neem is the go-to herb when pitta's heat shows up in the skin and blood.

Today most people meet neem on the outside of the body, in soaps, face masks and herbal mouth rinses. That is also where it is gentlest.

Ayurvedic Properties

RasaTastes
  • Bitter
  • Astringent
ViryaHeating or cooling
Cooling
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Pungent
AgniEffect on digestion
Neutral for agni

Very bitter and cooling; it is not taken for digestion.

GunaQualities
  • Light
  • Dry
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: increases in excess
  • Pitta: decreases
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Neem is a strong ally for pitta and kapha. Its cold, light and dry qualities can quickly unsettle vata, so vata types keep it to occasional, topical use.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support clear, calm skin when there is excess heat.
  • Traditionally used to support healthy gums and fresh breath.
  • Traditionally used to support a healthy scalp and hair.
  • Traditionally used to support cooling and balance during the hot pitta season.

How People Use It

  • TopicalMix 1/2 teaspoon of neem leaf powder with a spoonful of chickpea flour and enough rose water or yogurt to make a paste. Leave it on the face for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse. Patch test on the inner arm first.
  • WaterA mild tea of neem leaf (1 teaspoon per cup, cooled) can be used as a mouth rinse and spat out, the way neem twigs were once chewed.
Try This

Cooling Neem and Rose Face Mask

A simple weekly mask for warm skin that reddens easily.

  • 1/2 teaspoon neem leaf powder
  • 1 tablespoon chickpea flour
  • 1 pinch turmeric (optional)
  • Rose water or plain yogurt to mix
  1. Patch test a little of the paste on your inner arm and wait a day before using it on your face.
  2. Stir the powders together and add rose water or yogurt a little at a time until you have a smooth paste.
  3. Spread a thin layer on clean skin, avoiding the eyes, and rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  4. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Use it no more than once a week.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Never swallow neem oil. It has caused severe poisoning in both children and adults, including vomiting, seizures and coma. Keep neem oil products away from children.
  • Neem on the skin can cause rash, itching, dryness or allergic reactions. Always patch test, and stop if irritation appears.
  • Do not use neem internally during pregnancy, while trying to conceive or while breastfeeding, and do not give it to children by mouth.
  • Neem extracts may affect how some medications are broken down. Talk with your doctor before taking neem by mouth if you take prescription drugs, including diabetes medication.
  • Internal use of neem leaf should only be done under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, and with your doctor's knowledge.

From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.