I started the second week of blogging marathon with Home made pop corn but the net played spoil sport and I could not continue posting after that.So here is one of the posts that should have come up last week....
Once while on a holiday, we visited many places in Tamil nadu. On one such trips, we stopped by a small farm to have our breakfast that we had packed from home. We sat beneath one of the neem trees and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. The cook breeze from the trees was laden with the scent of neem flowers.
Mom recollected that she used to prepare neem flower rice for us once in a while as the neem flowers had loads of health benefits. Somehow after I grew up, I stopped eating that dish .Now I have made up my mind to revive that habit....
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| Flowering Neem Tree |
The neem tree is said to a pharmacy by itself. Each and every part of the tree has innumerable health benefits.
As mom rightly mention,neem leaves are chokeful of medicinal properties and some of them are listed below...
- According to Ayurveda, neem flowers neutralize the effect of pitha.
- Fried neem leaves are said to improve the eyesight and treat digestive disorders.
- It reduces phlegm
- Kills intestinal worms.
Neem flowers can be collected by spreading a clean cloth beneath the flowering neem tree. It is then dried and store.Dried flowers are also available in the shops.
Dried neem flowers are used to prepare 'Ugadhi Pachadi', Vepampoo rasam, Neem flower rice , lentil spice mixes etc.
I purchased a large packet of dried neem flowers and will share with you some of the dishes that we prepare at home....
Recipes with dried neem flowers...
Labels: Cooking with herbs / flowers, Flowers, Kitchen Dictionary, Neem Flowers
