Benefits and Uses of Curry Leaves
You may have used curry leaves as an ingredient in cooking. The specific aroma and flavor makes it give curries, meals, and dishes an amazing taste. The highly aromatic curry leaves are more than a food ingredient. They have some amazing benefits and uses for our health and body.
Curry leaves are found in the curry tree (Murraya Koenigil). This tree is native to India and it’s leaves are used for cooking and medicinal reasons. They are extremely versatile and have a special smell, resembling notes of citrus. Curry Leaves are different from curry powder. They are added to create the mixture called curry powder. Curry Leaves contain powerful compounds and nutrients, making them useful for our health and body.
Reduces Risk of Heart Disease- High cholesterol and triglyceride may contribute to heart disease. Adding curry leaves to your diet can reduce the risk of heart disease considerably. Research has shown that curry leaf extract can affect cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. A compound called mahanimbine is present in the leaves which prevent complications such as inflammation, oxidative stress, high blood lipids, and fat accumulation. These complications are indicators of heart disease.
May Fight Against Cancer- Although enough research hasn’t been conducted, curry leaves have known to contain compounds that can fight cancer and its effects. They can inhibit the growth of cancer cells for certain types of cancers such as breast cancer. Curry leaves altered cancer cell growth, killed cancer cells, and decreased their viability. Curry leaves contain girinimbine, an alkaloid compound that can kill cancer cells. Curry leaf extract has toxic effects on other cancer types such as cervical cancer. Curry leaves contain a multitude of antioxidants such as quercetin, catechin, rutin, and gallic acid.
Easy to Include in Diet- Traditional Indian and Asian cuisine has included curry leaves in meats, curries, dishes, and dals. The leaves bring out flavors of other spices and add a wonderful fragrance to any dish. Curry leaves play wonderfully with other ingredients and combine to unearth rich, robust, and impressive flavors that taste amazing. Curry leaves are found fresh or dried in spice sections of grocery stores. You can easily add them to any dish and include them in your diet. Curry leaves soften when cooked in oil, butter, or ghee. They are usually sauteed to be used in a mixture or to temper any dish. Curry leaves can be added to broths to bring out a fragrant and strong taste. You can temper curry leaves with cumin and top it on rice or curd to make it taste salty and nutty. Curry leaves are combined with other spices such as turmeric, chili powder, coriander seeds, cumin, and pepper to create a spice mix.
Rich in Protective Substances- Curry leaves contain myrcene, mahanimbine, linalool, alpha-terpinene, caryophyllene, murrayanol, and alpha-pinene. These act as antioxidants in our body. Antioxidants fight against diseases and keep your body healthy. Antioxidants kill free radicals, and they prevent oxidative stress from forming in your body. Curry leaves or curry leaf extract can prevent damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and heart.
May Protect Your Brain- Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain diseases characterized by loss of neurons, signs of oxidative stress, and inability to communicate. Curry leaves or curry leaf extract can protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Curry leaves improve levels of antioxidants which protects the brain. Regular consumption of curry leaves was linked to improved memory and sharper focus.
Anti-inflammatory- Inflammation can cause several diseases and side effects. Curry leaves contain a wide range of anti-inflammatory compounds and elements. It reduces inflammation and thus enables our system to fight against disease and stress.
Control Blood Sugar- Curry leaf extract may reduce high levels of blood sugar and protect against diabetes. By controlling your blood sugar, it can prevent damage to your kidneys and nerves as well.
Relieve Pain- Curry leaves or curry leaf extract can relieve symptoms of pain. Oral consumption of curry leaves can reduce pain to an extent.
Anti-Bacterial Properties- Curry leaves contain elements which have anti-bacterial properties. It inhibits the growth of powerful bacteria such as corynebacterium tuberculosis and streptococcus pyogenes.
All these benefits aside, curry leaves can be easily used to improve the flavor or smell of a dish. The research to support these benefits is inconclusive and it hasn’t been tested on humans. However, anecdotal evidence is available to prove that curry leaves are beneficial for our health and body. You can use curry leaves for your meals or add it to chutneys, sauces, and dips. Diced or crumbled curry leaves can be added to any dish for flavor or aroma. You can fry curry leaves in oil and top it on bread. Curry leaf infused oil acts as a great salad dressing or topping. There are no side effects of adding curry leaves to your diet. Consult a medical expert or nutritionist before adding any new elements to your diet or lifestyle.
