Chinaberry Powder / Malai Vembu Podi

Kingdom: Plantae

Family: Meliaceae

Genus: Melia L.

Species: Melia azedarach L.

Scientific Name: Melia azedarach

Most people get confused between the ordinary neem tree and the mountain neem tree. Mountain neem tree is also called chinaberry tree, bead tree, pride of India, Cape lilac. The properties, characteristics, and texture of this chinaberry tree differ from the native neem tree. This tree is scientifically known as Melia azedarach belongs to the Meliaceae family.

The native is Japan, China, south-eastern Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. This ornamental tree has multiple uses. It also has some medicinal properties, it is used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to treat some health problems.

Health Benefits

• Chinaberry has a good amount of antidiarrhoeal properties, so it helps to treat nausea, thirst, vomiting, and general debility.
• Chinaberry juice is used to treat chickenpox and diabetes.
• Applying the paste of the leaves is good to treat smallpox, skin disease, and rheumatism.
• The bark of this tree is effectively treated against ascariasis.
• It is traditionally used to treat some health problems like mouth ulcers, piles, dandruff, inflammation, gout.
• In China, this herb is used to treat urinary retention and typhoid fever.