After the monsoon, the Neem tree begins to sprout delicate, tender new leaves that have traditionally been eaten as a gut cleanser and blood purifier.

As a health tonic

It is recommended that you eat the freshly plucked tender Neem leaves during 9 days of the Chaitra Navratri festival that occurs sometime around March-April (according to the HIndu lunar calendar). Chew the leaves early in the morning on an empty stomach, using the front of your teeth to break them up – almost nibbling like a squirrel!

Chewing a few young leaves daily is very good for your intestinal flora. It detoxifies your body, cleans out parasites, purifies blood and increases metabolism.

To start with, try boiling the leaves for a few minutes in water and some lemon and honey. Alternatively, you can soak the leaves for five minutes in water, grind them into a paste with lemon and honey.