Daun Semambu (Neem Leaf / Azadirachta indica)
A Multi-Traditional Healing Herb
🔍 1. Botanical Information
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Scientific Name: Azadirachta indica
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Family: Meliaceae
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Common Names:
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Malay: Daun Semambu
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English: Neem
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Tamil: Veppilai
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Hindi: Neem
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Sanskrit: Nimba
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The Neem tree is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It thrives in tropical and semi-arid climates and is highly valued across Southeast Asia for its medicinal, agricultural, and ecological roles.
🌿 2. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Interpretation
Neem is not indigenous to China, but based on its properties, it is interpreted in TCM terms as follows:
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Nature (Qi): Cold
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Taste (Wei): Bitter
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Meridians Entered: Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine
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Therapeutic Functions:
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Clears heat and toxins (qing re jie du)
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Dispels wind-heat (qu feng re)
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Kills parasites (sha chong)
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Reduces inflammation and swelling
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Promotes healing of skin conditions
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Indications (based on TCM theory):
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Skin rashes, eczema, acne, boils
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Fever, sore throat
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Intestinal parasites
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Ulcers, inflammation of digestive tract
🪷 3. Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) Uses
In Malaysia, Daun Semambu is part of traditional health maintenance and acute illness treatment.
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Energetics: Considered "sejuk" (cooling) to counter internal heat (panas dalam)
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Uses:
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Bathing herb for chickenpox, measles, rashes, body heat
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Topical paste for skin infections, insect bites, acne
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Decoction/tea for fever, detox, appetite stimulation
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Used in postnatal confinement baths to cool the body
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🧘🏽♂️ 4. Ayurveda Uses
Neem (Nimba) holds a sacred and central place in Ayurveda, India’s ancient healing science.
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Rasa (Taste): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
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Virya (Potency): Sheeta (cooling)
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Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): Katu (pungent)
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Dosha Action:
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Pacifies Pitta (excess heat, inflammation)
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Pacifies Kapha (mucus, heaviness)
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May aggravate Vata if overused
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🌿 Ayurvedic Applications:
| Condition | Neem Use |
|---|---|
| Skin disorders | Paste or oil for eczema, psoriasis, acne |
| Fever | Decoction to reduce heat and toxins |
| Blood detoxification | Neem juice or capsules |
| Diabetes | Neem leaf tea to regulate blood sugar |
| Oral health | Chewing sticks to prevent gum disease |
| Worm infestations | Anthelmintic action through leaf or bark |
| Liver & spleen health | Supports detox and bile function |
🔬 5. Phytochemical Components & Functions
| Phytochemical Group | Compound | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Limonoids | Azadirachtin | Insecticidal, antiparasitic, anti-malarial, immune modulator |
| Nimbin | Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, liver protective | |
| Nimbidin | Antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, hepatoprotective | |
| Salannin | Insect repellent, immune stimulant | |
| Flavonoids | Quercetin | Antioxidant, antihistamine, vascular support |
| Kaempferol | Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective | |
| Tannins | Catechin-type | Astringent, wound healing, antimicrobial |
| Sterols | Beta-sitosterol | Anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, prostate health |
| Terpenoids | Various | Antimicrobial, aromatic, immune-enhancing |
| Alkaloids | Margosin | Antipyretic, detoxifying |
| Coumarins | Scopoletin | Antioxidant, antifungal, liver protective |
| Polysaccharides | Neem polysaccharides | Immunomodulatory, anti-tumor activity |
| Saponins (minor) | Neem saponins | Antiparasitic, detox support |
🥗 6. Nutrient Content
Neem leaves are not primarily nutritional but contain valuable micro-nutrients:
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Vitamin C – Antioxidant, immune support
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Provitamin A (Carotenoids) – Skin and vision health
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Polyphenols – Anti-aging and cellular protection
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Trace Minerals – Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus
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Chlorophyll – Detoxifying, blood-purifying
✅ 7. Health Benefits
| Health Effect | Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Antibacterial & Antifungal | Inhibits growth of skin and gut pathogens |
| Anti-inflammatory | Reduces cytokines, prostaglandins |
| Antiviral | Traditionally used for chickenpox, measles |
| Antiparasitic | Destroys intestinal worms, lice |
| Blood Sugar Regulation | Stimulates insulin-like activity |
| Liver Protection | Supports detox enzyme pathways |
| Wound Healing | Speeds up tissue regeneration |
| Skin Clearing | Treats acne, eczema, rashes |
| Antioxidant | Neutralizes free radicals |
| Immune Modulation | Enhances white blood cell activity |
| Oral Health | Strengthens gums, reduces plaque |
⚠️ 8. Safety & Precautions
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Pregnancy: Avoid internal use; may cause miscarriage in high doses.
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Children: Use in diluted external forms; high-dose internal use can be toxic.
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Chronic use: Long-term high dosage may stress liver or nervous system.
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Taste: Extremely bitter; may cause nausea in sensitive individuals.
🌱 9. Common Usage Forms
| Form | Application |
|---|---|
| Paste | Acne, wounds, skin infections |
| Tea/Decoction | Fever, blood sugar, detox |
| Infusion bath | Chickenpox, heat rash |
| Oil (Neem Oil) | Eczema, scalp issues, fungal infections |
| Capsules/Powder | Internal detox, diabetes support |
| Chewing stick (twigs) | Oral hygiene |
🌍 10. Sustainability & Cultural Respect
Neem is deeply embedded in spiritual, medicinal, and ecological traditions of Asia. It is considered sacred in India and respected in many Southeast Asian cultures for its cleansing and protective properties.
Reference -Data compile with Chat GPT
Biswas, K., Chattopadhyay, I., Banerjee, R. K., & Bandyopadhyay, U. (2002). Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Current Science, 82(11), 1336–1345.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/24107799
Subapriya, R., & Nagini, S. (2005). Medicinal properties of neem leaves: a review. Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents, 5(2), 149–156.
https://doi.org/10.2174/1568011053174828
Kaur, S., & Pandit, D. (2013). Neem (Azadirachta indica): Prehistory to contemporary medicinal uses to humankind. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 6(3), 1–4.
http://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ajpcr/article/view/186
National Institute of Ayurveda. (2012). Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia of India (Vol. I–III). Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
Zakaria, M. (2007). Traditional Malay Medicinal Plants. Kuala Lumpur: Institut Terjemahan Negara Malaysia.
Deng, S., May, B. H., Zhang, A. L., Lu, C., & Xue, C. C. (2013). Phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine herb Azadirachta indica. Journal of**
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