Curry Leaves Benefits, Nutrition & Side Effects
Curry leaves are used for garnishing lots of dishes like Sambhar, dosa, etc. They are full of sweet flavor and aroma. Moreover, what is even better is that they are full of nutrients that can give your health a big boost. Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of curry leaves.
Benefits:
- Fights Infections
- Good For Respiratory Issues
- Promotes Cardiac Health
- Promotes Better Digestion
- Improves Oral Health
- Improved Vision
- May Treat Diabetes
- Heal wounds & Burns
- Improved Liver Health
- Improves Cognition
- May Treat Anemia
- Aids In Weight Loss
9 Benefits and Uses of Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are the foliage of the curry tree (Murraya koenigii). This tree is native to India, and its leaves are used for both medicinal and culinary applications. They’re highly aromatic and have a unique flavor with notes of citrus.
Curry leaves are not the same as curry powder, though they’re often added to this popular spice mixture and popularly used in cooking to add flavor to dishes, such as curries, rice dishes, and dals. Aside from being a versatile culinary herb, they offer an abundance of health benefits due to the powerful plant compounds they contain.
Here are 9 impressive benefits and uses of curry leaves:
- Rich in powerful plant compounds - Curry leaves are packed with antioxidants that may protect your body by reducing oxidative stress and scavenging free radicals.
- May reduce heart disease risk factors - Consuming curry leaves may benefit heart health by reducing heart disease risk factors, such as high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- May have neuroprotective properties - Some research in animals suggests that curry leaf extract may protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
- May have anticancer effects - Test-tube and animal research suggests that curry leaves may have powerful anticancer properties.
- Beneficial for blood sugar control - Animal research has demonstrated that curry leaf extract may help reduce high blood sugar levels and protect against symptoms related to diabetes, including nerve pain and kidney damage.
- May have pain-relieving properties - Research in rodents has shown that oral administration of curry extract significantly reduces induced pain.
- Has anti-inflammatory effects - Curry leaves contain a wide array of anti-inflammatory compounds, and animal research has shown that curry leaf extract can help reduce inflammation-related genes and proteins.
- Offers antibacterial properties - A test-tube study found that curry leaf extract inhibited the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, including Corynebacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pyogenes.
- Easy to add to your diet - Curry leaves are a versatile and tasty ingredient that can be used to add interest to a number of dishes.
Benefits Of Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are the curry tree foliage (Murraya koenigii). This tree is native to India, and for both medicinal and culinary purposes, its leaves are used. They are particularly aromatic and have a distinctive taste of citrus notes. In Indian households, curry leaves, the quintessential aromatic element, have countless nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Kadi Patta or Meetha Neem in Hindi, Kariveppilai in Tamil, or Karivempu in Malayalam are known by many vernacular names as this tree is indigenous to India, Srilanka, and many Southeast Asian countries. Although this traditional spice mixture is often added and popularly used in cooking to add flavor to dishes such as curries, rice dishes, and dals, curry leaves are not the same as curry powder. They deliver an array of health benefits due to the strong plant compounds they produce, apart from being a versatile culinary herb.
These high-speed deciduous shrubs are a compulsory part of Indian cooking where all the dishes for seasoning or garnishing start and end with it. Curry leaves are very rich in copper, minerals, calcium, phosphorous, fiber, carbohydrates, magnesium, and iron, which are important nutrients. Besides, curry leaves often contain different kinds of vitamins and amino acids. Depending on the intended use, the leaves can be dried or fried, and the fresh form is very common as well. Curry leaves are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin B2, calcium, and iron, apart from a heavy distinctive odor and pungent taste. It helps in the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, morning sickness, and nausea by adding curry leaves to your meals. Often, curry leaves help flush out toxins and the fat content of the body.
Benefits:
- Curry Leaves Helps in Lowers Cholesterol Level
- Curry Leaves Boosts Digestion
- Curry Leaves for Liver
- Curry Leaves Hastens Hair Growth
- Curry Leaves for Eye Health
- Curry Leaves Eradicates Bacteria
- Curry Leaves Promotes Weight Loss
- Controls Side Effects
- Curry Leaves for Blood Circulation
- Anti Diabetic Properties in Curry Leaves
- Curry Leaves helps to Treat Wounds
10 reasons you must use curry leaves in your food daily
Wondering why should you choose curry leaves in cooking? Curry leaves, known as kadi patta in Hindi, is a common cooking ingredient full of health benefits and multiple uses. It is added to various dishes to enhance their taste and health value.
Apart from culinary uses, curry leaves are also known for their curative properties and are used in Ayurveda as a natural treatment for various health problems like weight gain, blood pressure, indigestion, anemia etc. These aromatic leaves have nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, amino acids, calcium, fiber, protein, phosphorous and iron.
Here are the top 10 amazing health benefits of curry leaves and why you should add curry leaves to your food:
- Health benefits of curry leaves
- Relieves morning sickness
- Cures diarrhoea
- Heals wounds, skin eruptions and burns
- Keeps anemia at bay
- Helps in losing weight
- Anti-diabetic properties
- Good for the eyesight
- FIghts cancer
- Hair care
20 Incredible Benefits of Curry Leaves (Kadi Patta) for Hair and Health
Curry leaves, mostly known as kadi patta, are widely used in Indian cooking. These fragrant leaves not only add aroma to the food but they are also loaded with immense health benefits.
In this post, we shall be decoding some incredible benefits of curry leaves for your hair and health. Most of us know the culinary uses of these aromatic leaves; however, these leaves have been in use for centuries for their medicinal properties too.
Here are some kadi patta benefits or health benefits of curry leaves:
- Help in Losing Weight
- Help in Getting Rid of Free Radicals
- Help in Lowering Cholesterol Levels
- Help in Keeping Diabetes under Check
- Help in Maintaining Gastrointestinal Health
- Help in Relieving Morning Sickness
- Help in Reducing Stress
- Help in Healing Wounds
- Help in Improving Eye-Health
- Help in Congestion of Nose and Chest
Find out why you should eat curry leaves on an empty stomach
Most people discard curry leaves from their dish as if it’s just an unnecessary add on. This ingredient, widely used in South Indian cooking should, in fact, be consumed for various reasons. For one, it is blessed with vitamins A, B, C and E in varying proportions.
While it is a common saying that curry leaves helps hair re-growth, there are plenty of other changes that occur in the body when it’s digested. Curry leaves assist in digestion and fight anaemia. That’s because this herb is rich in folic acid and iron. However, other benefits of these miraculous leaves can be found when you eat it on an empty stomach. Before you do anything in the morning, try eating 4-5 raw curry leaves if you want to fight diabetes and grey hair. If this practice is continued regularly, blood sugar levels and premature greying will be fought in a powerful way. You will also be healing various eye disorders like cataract. It is known to improve vision as well.
Of course, eating raw curry leaves might be an unpleasant experience. The leaves are usually tinged with sourness and might not taste the best. However, consider including this in your diet. While this herb is loaded with nutrients our bodies are in need of, excess consumption of it could produce some side-effects. It is known to cause stomach upset, nausea and acidity in people. It’s best to eat more than 15 raw curry leaves at one ago.
CURRY LEAVES FOR GREY HAIR
Discovering the first strand of grey hair shoots up a thousand emotions of fear and pain in a gush. It shatters the heart to see your lusty lock beginning to lose its charm and if it happens in your twenties the tremor knows no bounds. It seems like the time of youth and zeal is approaching its end and what’s done cannot be undone now. The mind is baffled by a multitude of thoughts, whether to hit the salon, get the hair coloured or try some medications.
Why hair turns grey? Hair goes grey when the colour-producing cells in our body stop producing the required amount of melanin. Some of the common culprits are Poor nutrition, Genetic tendency, Changes in hormones, Environmental, Pollution, Stress, Smoking & Using the wrong hair products. A number of diseases like sinus infections, disorders of the thyroid and chronic colds can also cause the hair to grey prematurely. Thankfully there are some very effective home remedies not known to many. Our very homey curry leaves have the magic wand of turning grey hair black. Our grandma’s were so right; the key to health and beauty lies in the kitchen. Curry leaves are one of the extensively used secret formulae to uplift the aroma, flavour and look of any dish. But the hidden potential of this ingenious foliole makes it a highly valued item. Curry leaves are one of the best remedies to cure premature greying and retaining the lost pigment.
Curry leaf is a potent hair tonic that not only delays greying of hair but also protects the beautiful tresses from all its foes. It prevents hair fall, dandruff and itchy scalp. Curry leaves moisturize the scalp and encourage hair growth. Let’s check out how to apply curry leaves to extract its optimum value:
- Grab a bunch of curry leaves from your garden and rinse them well in water.
- Crush the dried curry leaves until into small pieces to make a fine powder.
- Boil some coconut oil and add the powdered curry leaves to it.
- Boil the fuse till powder turn black and allow it to cool at room temperature.
- To get best results apply the oil at least twice a week and see your hair shaft become intensely dark and shiny.
- Consuming curry juice can also help in preventing the hair from greying.
5 things that happen when you drink curry leaf tea daily
Curry leaves have been used since time immemorial to treat common health issues. Here are 5 curry leaf benefits that will make you want to embrace this tea right now!
Curry leaves or kaddi patta tea is extremely popular in south India, and is now becoming the hot favourite of many people across the country. Not only is the tea easy and quick to make, but it also offers plenty of benefits. Curry leaves are easily available, no matter where you live in the country. Apart from adding tadka with kaddi patta, make a cup of tea with this herb for yourself today because curry leaf benefits your whole body!
Here’s how this miraculous tea benefits you:
- IT IMPROVES YOUR DIGESTION
- IT CONTROLS YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
- CAN EASE YOUR NAUSEA
- IT IS A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT
- IT CAN REDUCE STRESS
Drink Curry Leaves Tea Everyday To Improve Digestion, Prevent Cancer
Curry leaves or kadi patta is one of the most common ingredients used in Indian households, especially South India. Most of us use these leaves to add that amazing flavour and fragrance to our different preparations. However, do you know curry leaves can majorly transform your health too? Curry leaves have some amazing benefits for your health. An easy way of adding curry leaves for your health is by drinking curry leaf tea.
Do you know, curry leaf tea is an age-old remedy that is used majorly in South India to treat common health issues like constipation, diabetes, morning sickness, diarrhea, and high blood pressure? This natural tea can be prepared at home using a simple recipe. Drinking curry leaves tea is one of the best ways to fuel your body with the goodness of kadi patta or curry leaves.
Let's quickly take you through the health benefits of having this healthy tea everyday:
- Free radicals in the body can lead to a lot of health problems like cancer. Curry leaves have antioxidants that prevent the cells of your body from free radical damage.
- Drinking kadi patta tea can help you control the blood sugar level of your body. Consuming curry leaves helps in stimulating insulin-producing cells and this helps in keeping your diabetes in check.
- Curry leaves help in dealing with digestive issues too. Curry leaves have digestive enzymes that improve your digestive health. The laxative properties of curry leaves also help in regulating the bowel movement. Drinking this tea can also help you in treating issues like gas and diarrhea.
- Morning sickness is a common problem women face during pregnancy. Drinking curry leaves tea can help in providing relief from vomiting, nausea, and morning sickness.
- Curry leaves have beta-carotene and protein which are great for your hair. This tea helps you keep hair problems like dandruff, hair thinning and roughness at bay.
- Curry leaves help in burning the stubborn fat of your body. It also helps in getting rid of the harmful toxins from the body.
- The aroma of the curry leaves works as a great stress reliever. Stress is a major issue behind common health problems. Drinking this tea helps you calm your body.
- Curry leaves have vitamin A which is essential for your eyes. Curry leaves help you keep your eyes healthy.
- Oxidation of cholesterol in the body leads to bad cholesterol which is harmful for your overall health. Curry leaves have antioxidants that reduce the oxidation of cholesterol. Drinking curry leaves tea helps you in controlling bad cholesterol.
Medicinal Uses, Therapeutic Benefits For Hair, Diabetes & Supplements of Curry Leaves
Curry Leaves, that quintessential aromatic ingredient, found in the Indian households have innumerable health and therapeutic benefits. This tree being indigenous to India, Srilanka and many South east Asian countries is known by several vernacular names such as Kadi Patta or Meetha Neem in Hindi, Kariveppilai in Tamil, Karivepaaku in Tamil or Karivempu in Malayalam. Derived from the Tamil word “Kari” meaning spicy, curry leaves are mentioned in ancient Tamil scriptures dating back to the 4th century AD for its amazing benefits and culinary significance.
Curry tree, being a sub-tropical tree growing to a height of 4-6 m and having a medium sized trunk goes by the botanical name Murraya koenigii. The aromatic curry leaves are seen in the form of pairs on the branches of the tree. The plant produces small white flowers which can pollinate themselves and it produces small, black, shiny semi-globose fruits with a single large seed. Though the fruits are fleshy and edible, neither the flower nor the fruits are used for culinary purposes.
Packed with a multitude of nutrients like carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, zinc, multivitamins and flavonoids, curry leaves are an arcade of health benefits. It is extensively used in the treatment of anemia, diabetes, indigestion, obesity, kidney problems, hair and skin problems. Benefits of Curry Leaves:
- High on Fiber - Curry leaves are an excellent source of fiber. It improves our digestive health and regular bowel movements. It is helpful in treating diarrhea and nausea and also controls the blood glucose levels in the body.
- Loaded with Proteins - Curry leaves have a high concentration of proteins which are considered to be the building blocks of the body. It is pivotal for the proper growth and development of the body and strengthens our immune system.
- Powerhouse of Calcium - Calcium is widely known for its significance in improving bone health. Being a powerhouse of calcium, curry leaves are effective for strengthening the teeth and bones and preventing diseases like osteoporosis and osteomalacia.
- Rich in Phosphorus - Being one of the major nutrients in curry leaves, phosphorus helps in cleansing the kidneys. It maintains a normal heartbeat, reduces painful muscle spasm after exercise and also strengthens the teeth and bones. At the cellular level, phosphorus is used for the growth and repair of cells and tissues.
- Abundance of Essential Oils - Apart from the minerals and vitamins, curry leaves are a powerhouse to a number of volatile essential oils like α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, α-terpinene etc. These essential oils possess anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-dysenteric, carminative and digestive properties which are extremely beneficial for the hair, skin and oral health. It is also effective against hyperglycemia, high cholesterol and aids in digestion.
Curry tree
It is a small tree, growing 4–6 metres (13–20 ft)) tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm (16 in) diameter. The aromatic leaves are pinnate, with 11–21 leaflets, each leaflet 2–4 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) long and 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) broad. The plant produces small white flowers which can self-pollinate to produce small shiny-black drupes containing a single, large viable seed. The berry pulp is edible, with a sweet flavor. The tree is native to the Indian subcontinent. Commercial plantations have been established in India, and more recently Australia. It grows best in well-drained soil that does not dry out, in areas with full sun or partial shade, preferably away from the wind. Growth is more robust when temperatures are at least 18 °C (64 °F)
The fresh leaves are an indispensable part of Indian cuisine and Indian traditional medicines. They are most widely used in southern and west coast Indian cooking, usually fried along with vegetable oil, mustard seeds and chopped onions in the first stage of the preparation. They are also used to make thoran, vada, rasam, and kadhi. The fresh leaves are valued as seasoning in the cuisines of South and Southeast Asia. In Cambodia, where the leaves are called sloek kontroap, the leaves are roasted and used as an ingredient in a soup, maju krueng. In Java, the leaves are often stewed to flavor gulai. Though available dried, the aroma and flavor is greatly inferior.[6] The oil can be extracted and used to make scented soaps. The leaves of Murraya koenigii are also used as a herb in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine in which they are believed to possess anti-disease properties, but there is no high-quality clinical evidence for such effects. The seeds may be toxic to humans.
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