For those who live in tropical and subtropical countries, curry leaves aren’t strange anymore. The curry leaves, actually are some kind of plants that belongs to the Rutaceae family, which mainly lives in the tropical and subtropical weather. The leaves of the curry tree are often used in some spice dishes in the regions of Sri Lanka and India. Furthermore, the benefits of curry leaves don’t stop right there in the culinary fields. It also is oozing with a lot of health benefits. To know more about this, feel free to continue reading.
What are Curry Leaves? Scientifically
The curry leaves obviously come from the curry tree. It is known as Murraya koenigii Spreng; actually, it is part of the Rutaceae family. The tree is actually native to the country of India. It is normally present in the subtropical and tropical countries and regions in the whole world. Moreover, they also cultivate it in the countries of Ceylon, Nigeria, Australia, and China as well. The plant height usually ranges from small to medium. However, the parts of the plants that are usable are just its bark, roots, and of course, its leaves.
The curry leaves have always been popular for its distinctive flavor and utilization in cooking. However, there are also some health benefits, which makes it even more appealing. The curry leaves may be dried, or may even be fried, depending on what you want. When it is in its fresh form, it is also quite common, both for the herbal medicines and in cooking.
In the Ayurvedic medicine, the curry leaves assume to have some medicinal properties like antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory properties, hepato-protective properties, anti-carcinogenic properties, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic properties. Moreover, its roots are beneficial in treating various body pains and its barks are beneficial in giving relief to snake bites.
With the massive herbal properties of the curry leaves, they are usable in numerous local cuisines through India and some other parts of the Asia as flavorings.
Nutrition Facts of Curry leaves
The main nutrient that is present in the curry leaves is the energy, carbohydrates, fiber, and calcium, minerals, copper, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. Furthermore, it also contains many vitamins such as nicotinic acids and vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin C, flavonoids, glycosides, amino acids, plants sterols, and antioxidant properties. Moreover, it also has zero fat.
Some other chemical compounds present in the curry leaves were carbazole alkaloids. The study suggests that alkaloids like the ones that are in the curry leaves have antioxidant properties. The carbazole antioxidant includes bispyrayafoline, bismahanine, isomahanine, O-methylmahanine, O-methylmurrayamine, mahanineonimbine, murrayanol, and mahanimbine. Further studies suggest that all of these chemicals are beneficial to the overall health.
Health Benefits of Curry Leaves
Here are some of the best health benefits of curry leaves:
Protects the liver. The liver plays a major role in the digestive system and it needs protection from any free radicals attack. At this juncture, the curry leaves are beneficial. The alkaloids, carbazole, and tannins in it help in protecting the liver.
Improves the eyesight. Since the curry leaves contain a lot of vitamin A, it is beneficial in improving the eyesight. Furthermore, the carotenoids in the leaves are also good in preventing macular degeneration.
Helps in the hair growth. Curry leaves are beneficial in strengthening the hair roots. The dried curry leaves with oil, are also applicable to the hair. This will help in relieving gray hair.
Lowers the cholesterol levels. The curry leaves are popular to reduce the bad cholesterol levels in the body.
Gets rid of cancer. The chemical compounds present in the curry leaves are beneficial in getting rid various types of cancer. Furthermore, a certain study also reveals that the curry leaves have carbazole alkaloids, which are helpful in fighting off cancer.
Reduces the risk of diabetes. This is perchance one of the best health benefits of curry leaves. The anti-hyperglycemic possessions of the leaves are helpful in controlling the blood glucose levels.
Antioxidant-rich. Since the curry leaves are very rich in antioxidant properties, it is beneficial in reducing the oxidative stress and gets rid of free radicals in the system.
Protects the gastrointestinal system. The use of curry leaves is recommendable in treating gastrointestinal illnesses in the Ayurveda era. One of the most important reasons for this is that for a fact, it possesses laxative properties beneficial for the gastrointestinal system.
Treats diarrhea. Research states that curry leaves have anti-diarrheal properties. Hence, it is beneficial in treating diarrhea and some other digestive-related illnesses.
Recommended Dosage of Curry Leaves
Actually, there is no recommended dosage for the use of curry leaves in spicy dishes. However, you can add it to your food as much as you like to. Normally, some put about two leaves in a saucepan soup, but this does not mean that you aren’t allowed to add any more. Just make sure that you will not be compromised if you add a lot of it to your dish.
