By Klaus Ferlow HMH, HA
By Klaus Ferlow HMH, HA
By Klaus Ferlow
HMH, HA

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 which 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 alternative a herbal decoction 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

What are the benefits of Neem tea?

  • 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 decoctions. 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

Klaus Ferlow, Master Herbalist (HMH) & Herbal Advocate, (HA), author, innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, founder of FERLOW BOTANICALS, Vancouver, B.C. and NEEM RESEARCH, Mission, B.C., member of the Health Action Network Society, Canadian Herbalist’s Association of BC., National Health Federation, International Herb Association, Plant Savers, Neem Foundation, Mumbai, India, co-author of the book “7 Steps to Dental Health.”, author of the book “Neem – Nature’s Healing Gift to Humanity,”  www.neemresearch.ca, neemresearch1@gmail.com.

This information is offered for its educational value and should not be used in the diagnoses, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease, please contact your health care provider.