How to Infuse Neem Powder

Indigenous to southern India, neem trees have been known to grow up to 60 feet tall. Since at least 4000 BC, traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine has used neem and considered it a cure-all. Herbalists today may prescribe this bitter, astringent plant to people who suffer from fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, worms, scabies, fever, irregular periods and sores in the mouth, among other things. Infusions, which are essentially herbal teas, are one way to prepare neem.

Things You'll Need

• Kettle
• 3/4 tsp. neem powder
• Cheesecloth
• String or heavy-duty thread
• Mug
• 1 cup boiling water
• Saucer or small plate

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Instructions

• 1

  Put a kettle of water on the stove and boil. Use any kind of water; tap, purified and well water work equally well.

• 2

  Place 3/4 tsp. powdered neem in a small piece of cheesecloth. Tie it off with string or thread so that the neem powder doesn't get into your infusion.

• 3

  Place the neem cheesecloth tea bag into a mug. Pour 1 cup of boiling water into the cup over the cheesecloth so that it is completely saturated with water.

• 4

  Cover the mug with a small plate or saucer. This keeps the volatile components of the herb from evaporating while you wait 10 to 20 minutes for the infusion to steep.

• 5

  Uncover your mug and remove the cheesecloth neem bag. You can drink the infusion hot or cold.