Each season has its own pros and cons. Take the example of the ongoing monsoon season. Besides the rainfall and mild weather, it also entails a number of diseases that often become a concern for everyone. Colds, flu, intestinal infections etc are some of the most common seasonal health problems we face. This is why, health experts recommend adjusting our daily diets to keep up with the season and our overall health. When we say tweaking in the diet, the first thing that comes to our mind is to include seasonal fruits and vegetables. While there’s no denying the goodness of seasonal products, we also need to add some other ingredients that are enriched with essential nutrients. One of such amazing ingredients is neem leaves.
In India, neem has been a part of our traditional medicine practice for ages. It contains antiseptic and antiviral properties that help in wound healing (both internal and external). According to the book ‘Ayurveda for All: Effective Ayurvedic Self-healing for Common and Chronic Diseases’, neem helps to balance our ‘vata’ or neuromuscular disorders. It further helps flush toxins out of the blood and enhances the free radical scavenging process.
Considering these benefits, renowned nutritionist Munmun Ganeriwal shared a healthy neem leaf tea recipe that can help prevent several seasonal illnesses during the monsoon season.
Also read: Monsoon diet: 7 delicious drinks to help you stay hydrated during the monsoon
Monsoon health care: 5 health benefits of Neem tea:
Immune booster:
As mentioned earlier, neem leaves are packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antiseptic properties. These factors help prevent the damaging effects of free radicals in our body, promoting further immune health.
Promoting Gut-Health:
Neem is a rich source of fiber. Regular consumption of neem leaves (here: in the form of neem leaf tea) is known to help promote digestion and bowel movements, further cleansing our intestinal tract and killing excess bacteria in the gut area.
Managing diabetes:
Neem tea has high amounts of flavonoids, antioxidants, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are known to be guaranteed not to spike glucose levels. Some further research suggests that neem may help control diabetes symptoms in non-insulin dependent diabetics.
Cardiovascular health management:
According to neemfoundation.org, studies have shown that eating neem leaves regularly can help control cholesterol levels in our body. Besides, this ingredient is also known to promote an immediate reduction in blood pressure, lasting for several hours. These factors further help manage overall heart health.
Prevent liver problems:
Neem tea may also help promote liver health. It is said that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of neem are known to help fight oxidative stress in our body. This can help prevent some liver-related problems.
Monsoon Recipe: How to Make Neem Tea – Munmun Ganeriwal shares the recipe:
- In 1.5 cups of water, add 4-5 neem leaves and half an inch of ginger (crushed).
- Boil for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain into a cup, mix some honey and take a sip. Diabetics can avoid adding honey.
Watch the complete recipe video of neem tea below:
Nutritionist Munmun Ganeriwal says try the healthy drink and “prevent the rain for your health during this monsoon”. Congratulations Monsoons!
