Melia azedarach, Ku Lian Pi 苦楝皮

Persian Lilac, Pride of India, Chinaberry
Mahanimba (Ayurveda)
Bakayan, Bakain, Azad Darakht (Unani)
Malaivembu (Siddha)
Ku Lian Pi (TCM)
 Picture
Picture Melia azedarach
F.A. Michaux, The North American sylva, vol. 3 (1819)

Picture Melia azedarach fruit, used in Unani
(Unani Medicine College, Kolkata, Adam, 2019)

Botanical name:


Melia spp.
  1. M. azedarach
  2. M. dubia is used in some parts of China.
  3. M. toosendan
M. toosendan can be used as a source for the stem-bark, but M. azedarach is not used as a source for Chuan Lian Zi (fruit of Sichuan Chinaberry)

Parts used:


Bark (Stem or Root)
Fruit is used in Unani, mostly externally. It appears to be used similarly to M. toosenden, Chuan Lian Zi.

Temperature & Taste:


Stem or Root bark: Cool, dry. Pungent, Bitter, astringent (slightly Toxic)
Fruit: Warm and Dry. Toxic in overdose “It is Hot in Third and Dry in Second degree”. (Avicenna)

Classification:


S. Worms and Parasites

Uses:


1. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-Wine-Heat with Toxin (old TCM)
-obstinate skin diseases; Abscess, Syphilis (Ayurveda, TCM)
-Leprosy (leaf, stem-bark, fruit)
-High-fever in Children (old TCM)
-Dizziness, Vertigo (Ayurveda)
-“The extract of the tips of its twigs, mixed with honey, serves as an antidote against all Poisons”. (Avicenna)

2. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine: (Ayurveda, TCM)
-obstinate Urinary diseases including Diabetes
-Leukorrhea (TCM)
-Stones

3. Kills Worms and Parasites: (Ayurveda, TCM)
-Roundworm, Hookworm, Pinworm
-Vaginitis trichomonas

4. Clears Heat, Opens Obstructions: (Ayurveda)
-Phantom Tumor
-nausea, vomiting
-Dyspnoea
-‘The fruit, especially its pulp, is a cleansing agent for the viscid humours and it removes the obstructions of the viscera when used after mixing it with vinegar and water’. (Avicenna)

5. Externally:
-anti-rheumatic (seed oil)
-topically for Ringworm, Tinea (paste with vinegar applied or used as a wash) (Ayurveda, TCM)
-fruit is used for pityriasis, freckles, scars (Avicenna)
-fruit in ointnents for all types of hard swellings and Warts (Avicenna)


FRUIT:
1. Moves the Qi, Eases Pain:
-Stomach pain (TCM)
-removes obstruction of the Viscera (with Vinegar and water, Avicenna)
-Spasms, Convulsions (Avicenna)
-Hardness of the Liver and Spleen (Avicenna)

2. Kills Worms:
-abdominal pain due to Worms

3. Externally:
–Pityriasis, Freckles, Spots, Scars, Acne, Scabies (Avicenna)
-Ointment for Hard Swellings (Avicenna)
-Warts (Avicenna)


Dose:


1. Strictly avoid overdose.
2. Give less than a full dose for the first 1 or 2 doses.
3. Fruit is more toxic than the bark.
4. Taken with Honey to clear Phlegm.
Of the Stem-Bark: 5–9 grams in Decoction
2–3 grams (up to 5 grams) in Powder
Leaf, Seed, Root: 50–100mls of standard decoction

Substitute:


1. It is similar to Neem and in some cases, Neem may substitute
FRUIT:
1. Equal amount of Madder (Avicenna)
2. Half the amount of Cassia bark (Avicenna)
3. Mace (Avicenna)

Comment:


1. There can be confusion between Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica (Neem). They are very similar in appearance so the former was named after the latter.
2. Also note this is equivalent to Melia toosendan, Chuan Lian (Sichuan Chinaberry). Both these species may be used as a source of the Bark or Root-bark. However, only Melia toosendan is used as a source of the Fruit. (see separate entry)

Main Combinations:


Often combined with Neem

1. Skin diseases, to clear Heat and Toxin from the Blood:
i. Melia azedarach with Neem, Barberry, Fumitory, Cassia seed (as in Habb e Musaffi e Khoon)
2. Worms:
i. often combined with Betel nut for a variety of worms
ii. Melia azedarach with Garlic, Betel nut (Bing Lang), Carpesium He shi
iii. Roundworm, Melia azedarach with Dryopteris root (Mian ma guan zhong) and Quisqualis Shi Jun Zi.
iv. Roundworm in the Bile duct, Melia azedarach with Torreya Fei Zi, and Prunus Wu Mei
v. combine with Prunus Wu Mei (orally or in enemas)
3. Fungal infection
i. Melia azedarach with Alum as a wash topically
ii. Melia azedarach with Neem

Major Formulas:


Arsoghni Vati (Hemorrhoid Pills) (Ayurveda)
Habb e Musaffi e Khoon

Cautions:


1. Strictly avoid overdose (see Toxicity). Fruit is Toxic: “sometime its fruit causes death”. (Avicenna)
2. Damages the Stomach Qi due to its bitterness and coldness; use cautiously in those with weak digestion. Avicenna said 1 mithqal (4.5 grams) causes severe vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Not used during Pregnancy, with Heart or Liver disease, severe weakness, anemia or gastric ulcers.
4. Side effects may occur within normal dosage ranges. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness and cease when the herb is discontinued.

Toxicity:


Overdose can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, toxic hepatitis, internal bleeding, and even circulatory failure.

Main Preparations used: