Neem leaves, cut
(Azadirachta indica) Neem
Neem leaf powder can be used both externally and internally.
The most common method is to make a tea (1 teaspoon per 250 ml of hot water at 90-95°C, steep for 5 minutes). A cold infusion overnight is also effective.
In India, the leaves (including dried ones) are often chewed and used in traditional Indian medicine.
Women in India also chew the leaves for contraception, taking a few a day. They are said to prevent fertilized eggs from implanting. However, this method is probably not 100% effective.
Few plants produce as many beneficial substances as the neem tree. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, neem plays a key role and is considered a gift from heaven because its wood, bark, branches, leaves, and seeds contain valuable, unique ingredients that are still used today. Mahatma Gandhi also drank a cup of neem leaf tea daily for his strength.
These effects have now been scientifically proven.
Relax in a neem bath!
Add a handful of neem leaves to the water 10 minutes beforehand. This can help detoxify the body and stimulate blood circulation.
Neem Inhalation:
Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of neem leaves to just under 1/2 liter of hot water and let it steep, covered, for 10 minutes. Only after 10 minutes, slowly bring the infusion to a boil, remove the pot from the heat, take off the lid, and inhale the steam without a cloth, keeping a safe distance from the pot. Inhale for no more than 4-5 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. The decoction can be slowly reheated 3 to 4 times and used for inhalation.
Reports from India indicate that people feel noticeably better after just a few hours.
Do not allow children to inhale unsupervised! Do not touch the hot water.
Important! Not for pregnant women!
Neem contains active ingredients that can prevent implantation of the egg in women and/or lead to miscarriage.
Pregnant women and those trying to conceive should absolutely not take neem leaves!
This effect is particularly well-known to women in Madagascar and Tanzania, who use neem leaves for birth control and, unfortunately, also for abortion.
Neem may potentially cause a faster menstrual cycle because the egg is expelled earlier. Furthermore, there is a small chance of pregnancy during a neem treatment.
Neem Washes with Neem Leaf Infusion
Add 1 tablespoon of neem leaves to 2 liters of boiled, still hot, water and let it steep until the infusion is lukewarm or cool. Then, using a freshly washed washcloth, clean the affected areas. This infusion can also be filtered and poured into a spray bottle (pump bottle) and will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. After that, it will begin to ferment and should no longer be used!
