Neem Chaal

Neem chaal (bark)

Benefits:

Neem is a one tree pharmacy

Not only in Ayurvedic medicines, neem tree extracts have been a part of many home remedies that Indians have been following since time immemorial.

We use neem to treat hair and skin issues.

Neem is used as:

Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
Insecticide
Increases immunity
Nature’s toothbrush
For hair strengthening
To treat skin disorders
Acne relief

How to grow neem plant at home?

Neem is a hardy tree that can tolerate temperatures up to 120 F. (50 C.). However, extended cool weather with temperatures below 35 F. (5 C.) will cause the tree to drop its leaves. The tree won’t tolerate colder temperatures, wet climates or prolonged drought. That being said, if you can locate fresh neem tree seeds, you can grow a tree indoors in a pot filled with good quality, well-drained potting soil. Outdoors, plant fresh neem seeds directly in the ground, or start them in trays or pots and transplant them outdoors at about three months. If you have access to mature trees, you can root the cuttings in late fall or early winter

Recipes:

Neem juice

Ingredients:

as needed Fistful of bitter Neem leaves

1 glass water

Method:

Soak bitter neem leaves in water for 5 mins. Discard the water. Put these bitter neem leaves in mixer jar, add 1 glass of water, churned it in mixer grinder for few minutes.

Strain this mixture, pour into 2 small glasses. Serve and relish healthy Neem Juice immediately.

Veppam Poo Rasam-Neem Flower Rasam Recipe

Ingredients:

Tamarind – small gooseberry sized ball

Dried neem flowers -2 tsp

Red chillies – 4 (break the chillies into 2 pieces)

Tur dal – 1 tsp

Hing – a pinch

Curry leaves – a sprig

Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp

Jaggery powder -1/2 tsp

Ghee or oil for frying neem flowers – 1 tsp

Salt needed

For the seasoning

Ghee – 1 tsp

Mustard seeds – 3/4 tsp

Curry leaves – a sprig

For garnishing

Finely chopped coriander leaves

Method:

Take tamarind water in a vessel, add tur dal (uncooked), hing, turmeric powder, salt and curry leaves.

Heat 1/4 tsp of oil and fry the red chillies and add to the above.

Now boil the tamarind water with all the ingredients on low flame until the raw flavor of the tamarind goes.

Then add 1 3/4 – 2 cups of water or thin dal water, jaggery and heat until froth starts forming at the top. Do not boil the rasam. Switch off the flame.

Heat 1 tsp of ghee, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add curry leaves and pour it over the rasam.

Heat another tsp of ghee and fry the neem flower on low flame until they turn reddish brown. (Do not burn the flowers). Now add the fried neem flowers to the rasam.

Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice or just have it as a medicinal soup.

Neem Toothpaste

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons Cold-pressed Organic Coconut Oil

4 tablespoons Food Grade Bentonite Clay

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

2 tablespoons Xylitol

2 capsules FOS Probiotics (Fructooligosaccharides)

2 crushed capsules Hyperbiotics Oral Probiotics

2 capsules (or 1/4 teaspoon) Powdered Neem Leaf

1/2 teaspoon Cacao Powder

1 1/2 teaspoons Ginger Powder

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil

4 tablespoons distilled or filtered water (divided)

Method:

In a small saucepan, heat coconut oil over low heat until melted, about 1 – 2 minutes.
Add bentonite clay, baking soda, xylitol, FOS, probiotic, neem, cacao, ginger and cinnamon to a food processor or high speed blender and blend for 10-15 seconds until all powders are evenly combined. Tap sides and top of blender so powder will fall to the bottom. Wait a couple of minutes before opening to allow powders to settle.
Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into the blender. Blend for 10-15 seconds, mixture will be crumbly. Allow a minute for powders to settle. Take the small end of a wooden spoon (a chopstick or small spatula will also work) and run it along the inside edge of the blender, making sure to combine all the powder with the oil.
Add the remaining coconut oil and vitamin E, and blend another 10 – 15 seconds. Mixture will be runny. Again run the wooden spoon end along the edge of the blender to make sure all the powder is incorporated. Blend again if necessary, texture will be smooth and creamy.
With the blender running, slowly add 3 tablespoons of the water and blend for at least 30 seconds, or until it is thoroughly mixed.
Transfer to a glass container with a plastic lid or a nontoxic refillable squeeze tube. If necessary, add the remaining tablespoon of water in order to achieve the appropriate texture for the squeeze tube. We like this 100% BPA, PC and phthalate free refillable squeeze tube. Mix with a fork to blend any powder that didn’t get incorporated into the toothpaste.

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