The Neem tree is indigenous to parts of South Asia and Africa and has been use in Ayurveda medicine for over 5000 years, the oldest botanical medicine in the world! Neem has been dubbed “The Village Pharmacy” in India for it myriad therapeutic and personal car applications. Neem can also be found in the agriculture industry as a fertilizer, and a pesticide. Almost every part of the tree is medicinal, bark, cake, flowers, leaves, oil, twigs and roots.

People in North America are the highest users of refined “poisonous” sugar with creates a huge number of health problems and here is the alternative, a herbal Neem tea is very bitter which our body really needs and can be used treating a variety of ailments.

What is a Neem tea?

A Neem tea can be made as a herbal infusion or alternatively as an herbal decotion from the leaves, flowers or bark – the leaves are one of the most bitter teas in the world – also in powder form. On its own it is incredible bitter and most people would not enjoy it. Therefore it is suggested to blend it with other Ayurvedic herbs. Since it wide use in traditional medicine there are many names for it such as:

• Azadirachta indica
• Antelaea Azadirechta
• Arishta tea or Arishtha chai
• Bead Tree tea
• Holy Tree tea
• Indian Lilac or Persian Lilac

• birth control
• blood purification
• coughs, colds, allergies and upper respiratory ailments
• gastrointestinal health
• inflammation
• liver disorders
• overall detoxification
• parasite elimination
• skin improvement

Here are some Neem tea recipes:

You can prepare it like any other herbal infusion and decotions. Use fresh or dried leaves or as powder. One teaspoon (three to five leaves) per cup of hot water. Steep with boiled water for between five or up to 20 minutes. Alternative steep a few pinches of dried, crushed Neem leaves with 34 ounces of hot water for 20 minutes.

In Ayurveda Neem is always mixed with other herbs which increases it efficacy and to balance it out and to keep it from being too bitter. Try it with honey, cane sugar, lemon juice and or spices like cardamom, cinnamon, orange peel, rooibos, licorice root and fennel seed. Furthermore you can blend it with green or black tea for milder taste.

Caution:

Neem tea is not safe for pregnant or breast feeding women to use and may interact with some medications. Consult with your doctor, herbalist, or Ayurvedic practitioner before beginning treatment!

Words of Wisdom

The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.
Hippocrates

References:

Chaturvedi Suresh, Neem in Ayurveda, Bhavan's Book University, 2001.
Grover Sukhamani, Neem and it miraculous healing powers, Amazon Digital Services, 2014.
Jarrad GM, Neem: Health benefits from India's tree of life, Woodlands Publishing, 2006.
Norten Ellen, Neem: India's miraculous healing plant, Healing Arts Press, 2000.

About Klaus Ferlow

Klaus Ferlow, HMH (Honorary Master Herbalist, Dominion Herbal College, Burnaby, B.C., est. 1926), HA (professional Herbal Advocate Canadian Herbalist's Association B.C., Victoria), is a traditional herbalist, innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, founder of Ferlow Botanicals, Vancouver, B.C., www.ferlowbotanicals.com now retired and Peter Ferlow is acting President, manufacturing/distributing herbal medicinal and personal care products with no harmful chemical ingredients to holistic practitioners and selected stores in traditional medicine in Canada and parts of USA since 1993, the company was founded in 1975.

His educational articles about health, healing, herbs, nutrition have been published in health & women's magazines, newspapers, newsletter in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa in print and online and on the internet.

Klaus founded in 2013 NEEM RESEARCH, Mission,, B.C. to protect and promote the precious healing gift of the Neem tree from India to humanity and with over 23 years experience working with Neem he published in 2016 the book "Neem - Nature's Healing Gift to Humanity", www.neemresearch.ca and is also a co-author of the book "7stepsdentalhealth.com" and author of the book “Neem – Nature's Healing Gift to Humanity.”

He is a member of the National Health Federation, Monrovia, Ca., International Herb Association, Jacksonville, Fl, United Plant Savers, Rutland, OH, Neem Foundation, Bombay (Mumbai), India and he can be contacted via neemresearch1@gmail.com.

HMH – Honorary Master Herbalist, Dominion Herbal College
HA = Professional Herbal Advocate, Canadian Herbalist's Association of B.C.

Copyright @2016, all rights reserved

This information is summarized for it educational value and should not be used for the cure, diagnoses, treatment, or prevention of disease, please contact your health care practitioner!