MELIACE Z. 393 
Vernacular.—Nimb (Hind.), Nim (Beng.), Nimb, Balata- 
nimb (Mar.), Bevina-mara, Isa-bevu (Can.), Nimbamu, Vepa- 
chetta (Tel.), Vembu, Veppam (Z'am.), Limbado (Guz.). 
History , Uses, &c.—This tree, in Sanskrit Nimba and 
Arishta, is a native of India, and is cultivated in all parts 
of the country on account of its medicinal properties. The 
leaves, bark and other products of the Neem have been articles 
of the Hindu Materia Medica from a very remote period, and 
are mentioned in the Ayurvedas of Susruta. The bark is con- 
sidered to be bitter, tonic, and astringent. The leaves are 
added to poultices to disperse glandular tumours, and are used 
generally as a discutient; beaten into a pulp they are applied 
to pustular eruptions, more especially to the eruption of small- 
pox ; their juice is anthelmintic, and is given ina variety of 
diseases, such as jaundice, prurigo, boils, &c. Chakradatta 
recommends a poultice of the leaves mixed with Sesamum 
‘Seeds for unhealthy ulcerations. The fruit is described as 
purgative, emollient, and anthelmintic. The oil of the seeds 
18 applied to suppurating scrofulous glands, is given in leprosy, 
rheumatism, and a variety of diseases. It is vermifuge, and is 
a remedy for mange in dogs. Tt has been used in the manu- 
facture of soap. As the oil contains a marked amount of 
sulphur, neem oil soap might possibly be useful m cutaneous 
affections in which a mild sulphuretted application is indicated. - 
The beneficial effects of the oil when rubbed into the skin in ~ 
 Theumatism is doubtless due to the presence of organically — 
combined sulphur. The gum is said to have stimulant pro- 
perties.. The young trees tapped yield a saccharine juice, 
which when fermented is used as a stomachic; several 
observers have noticed that in certain years this juice appears — 
__ to flow with unusual abundance. 
The dried flowers are used as a tonic after fever, and under 
the name of Pancha-nimba, a medicine is prepared which con- 
tains the flowers, fruit, leaves, bark, and root of the tree, of 
each 15 parts, and one part each of an 
The nimba is also one of the Pancha-tikta or fie be 2 
umber of other drugs. : 
