How to Prevent Seasonal Diseases with Neem Tea

     Neem has long been a part of our traditional medical treatment in India. It has antiseptic and antiviral properties that aid in the healing of internal and external wounds. The book "Ayurveda for All" states that Neem helps us balance our "vata," or neuromascular disorders. Effective Ayurvedic Self-Cure for Common and Chronic Ailments Additionally, it enhances free radical scavenging and aids in blood flushing of toxins.

    Neem tea can probably be prepared in as many different ways as there are countries where it is regarded as the "healer of all ailments." Filling a cup with very hot water, adding five neem leaves, and letting it cool is the easiest way to make a single cup of tea. This tea is perfect for the "K-cup" coffee makers; just remove the K-cup before brewing.)

    Add your preferred sweetener, but do not strain the tea as the bulky whole leaf will remain in the cup's bottom.

    An automatic drip coffee maker is easiest to use for larger quantities. After thoroughly cleaning the basket to eliminate any taste of coffee in your neem tea, fill the water container. Turn on the machine and place a few neem leaves in the coffee pot, not the basket. Serve after about five minutes of heating.

    Keep the tea in the refrigerator if you plan to use it frequently. This will keep the flavor fresh.

Significant NOTE: The majority of people are more likely to appreciate the flavor of a weaker neem tea over a stronger one. The tea becomes much more bitter if it is overcooked or if the quantity of neem leaf is increased. 

Type of Neem	Directions
Fresh neem leaf	Place five neem leaflets in a cup of water, allow to cool, then sweeten to taste
Dry neem leaf	Same as above, taste may be stronger but you can add more water or use less leaf the next time you brew tea
Tea-cut neem leaf	Use a heaping ¼ teaspoon per cup of water
Neem leaf powder	Use a scant ¼ teaspoon per cup of water. Allow to cool
Neem bark powder	Use a scant ¼ teaspoon per cup of water or add a tablespoon to the coffee in your automatic drip coffee maker for a New Orleans-style chicory taste.
Neem leaf tea with peppermint	Use ¼ to ½ teaspoon in a cup of very hot water, allow to cool and then sweeten to taste.
Neem bark powder with cinnamon	Use ¼ to ½ teaspoon in a cup of very hot water, allow to cool and then sweeten to taste.
Supercritical neem drops	Add three to five drops of supercritical neem extract (we like the bark and peppermint version) to a cup of very hot water, stir well and sweeten to taste.