Health Benefits Of Curry Leaves

Curry leaves  (Murraya koenigii or Bergera koenigii), known as kadi patta in hindi, have been widely used in Indian dishes since centuries, not only because they enhance the taste and flavor but because they are packed with several nutrients that are responsible for health benefits. All the parts of curry leaf plant, viz. leaves, root and the bark are beneficial.

You can easily grow curry leave plant at your home, even in a pot (how to grow curry leaves from seeds and cuttings) and store them for use at any time (Store curry leaves in fridge).

Nutrition Facts of Curry Leaves

Health benefits of curry leaves

The curry leaves contain iron, calcium, vitamin C and phosphorus besides proteins, carbohydrates, magnesium, copper and fibers; and vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E and nicotinic acid. They are almost fat-free. Research [1] has shown that the carbazole alkaloids found in curry tree leaves, stems and seeds such as murrayanol, mahanimbine, O-methylmahanine, isomahanine and bispyrayafoline in curry leaves possess antioxidant properties [2].

In Ayurvedic medicine [3], curry leaves possess many medicinal properties like antioxidant, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-carcinogenic properties.

How To Eat Curry Leaves

With so many nutrition values, question naturally comes to mind - how can you use curry leaves. Can you eat a curry leaf? The answer is yes, curry leaves are edible.

1. Curry leaves can be eaten in a variety of ways. 
2. Curry leaves can be added to your curries, sambhar and soups. When added fresh leaves in curries, they provide a unique aroma or flavor to the dish. 
3. You can also take curry leaves in dried powder form. 
4. You can eat a few leaves daily to get full benefits. Some may, however, not like the taste of mature leaves, but the young new leaves are good in taste. 
5. It is said that eating raw curry leaves in morning is beneficial for weight loss and reducing cholesterol.

The medicinal values of curry leaves have been known to people since centuries.

Benefit in Stomach and Gastrointestinal Problems

The carbazole alkaloids in curry leaves has anti-diarrhea properties. They are beneficial for indigestion. Grounded fresh curry leaves or curry leaf juice with added lime juice can be consumed.

Curry Leaves Helpful in Anaemia

Curry leaves are a rich source of iron and folic acid which offer a natural remedy to fight anaemia.

Anti-Diabetic Properties of Curry Leaves

The anti-hyperglycemic property of curry leaves has been shown to be beneficial in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetic rats.
Curry leaves may reduce your blood sugar levels by affecting the insulin activity of the body.

Curry Leaves Fight Cancer

The carbazole alkaloids and phenols in curry leave are helpful in fighting cancers such as leukemia, prostate cancer and colorectal cancers.
Studies on the extracts of curry leaves have shown protection against the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Curry Leaves Lower Cholesterol Levels

The curry leaves can reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

Curry Leaves Protect the Liver

The tannins and carbazole alkaloids in curry leaves have good hepato-protective properties, which are helpful in protecting the liver from various diseases.

Curry Leaves For Skin Care and Healing Acne

Due do strong antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, kadi patta offers a great home remedy for common skin infections and fungal infections of the nail.

Apply a paste of the curry leaves on acne, cuts, burns, bruises and insect bites for quick healing. You can add turmeric to the paste to take advantage of the turmeric benefits.

Treats and prevents skin infections

Curry Leaves Good for Eyesight

The vitamin A in curry leaves is good for eyesight.

Protects Against Pathogen Attack: Research on curry leaves has revealed that they are also effective in fighting bacterial and fungal infections.

Curry Leaves Helpful in Cold and Cought

1. Reduces congestion in the chest and nose
2. Kadi patta is a very effective home remedy to relieve the symptoms of cold and cough including sinusitis or chest congestion, thanks to the presence of anti-inflammatory, decongestant and antioxidative agent vitamin C, A
3. Take some powdered curry leaves and add honey to it to make a paste.  take a spoon of powdered curry leaves and add a spoon of honey to it. Eat this solution twice a day to get relief from congestion.

Curry Leaves Helpful in Hair Problems

As the curry leaves contain essential nutrients like antioxidants and amino acids, they can be useful for a variety of hair problems ranging from hair fall to the growth of hair.

They are in use in many hair care oils. They are said to stimulate the growth of hair exponentially.

The curry leaves can be applied in different ways for this purpose. You can massage your scalp with a paste made of curry leaf powder in oil or yogurt. You can take a few fresh leaves of curry plant and grind them in milk and make a paste. Use this paste to massage your scalp or use as a hair mask. The advantages of using curry patta on hair are following:

1. Good for hair growth
2. Stimulates/Accelerates hair growth
3. Prevents premature greying
4. Hair conditioning and nourishing the hair.
5. Repairs damaged roots
6. Rejuvenation of hair follicles
7. Strengthen hair shafts
8. Fights dandruff

References

1. Jain, Vandana; et al. (2012). "Murraya Koenigii: An Updated Review" (PDF). International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2 (2): 607:627. ISSN 2249-5746, www.worldcat.org/issn/2249-5746
2. MP Rajendran et al., Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant profile of essential oil from Murraya koenigii (L.) leaves, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4104627/
3. Arulselvan P, Senthilkumar GP, Sathish Kumar D, Subramanian S (Oct 2006). "Anti-diabetic effect of Murraya koenigii leaves on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats". Pharmazie. 61 (10): 874–7. PMID 17069429, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17069429