Curry Tree
The Curry tree is a tropical to sub-tropical tree having botanical name Murraya koenigii and family Rutaceac. It is also sometimes called Meetha neem. Its leaves are, known as Curry leaves, are used in many dishes in the Indian subcontinent.
Chemical Constituents –
Compounds found in curry tree leaves, stems, bark and seeds include cinnamaldehyde, and numerous carbazole alkaloids, including mahanimbine, girinimbine and mahanine.
Nutritional value –
Curry tree is high-speed deciduous shrub and 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, phosphorus, fiber, carbohydrates, magnesium and iron, which are important nutrients. Besides, curry leaves often contain different kinds of vitamins and amino acids.
Properties –
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Disinfectant
• Carminative
• Hepatoprotective
• Appetizer
• Digestive
Effects on Doshas –
Curry leaves aggravates the doshas of Pitta and pacifies the doshas of Vata and Kapha.
Useful Part –
Curry leaves are used for various medicinal as well as in food preparations from the curry tree.
Dosage –
• Curry leaves Powder – ¼-½ teaspoon twice a day.
• Curry leaves Capsule – 1-2 capsule twice a day.
Health Benefits –
• Obesity
An increase in weight is due to unhealthy food habits and lifestyle which leads to a weak digestive fire. This increases accumulation of Ama causing an imbalance in Meda dhatu and thus resulting in obesity. Curry leaves are useful to control obesity as it helps improve metabolism and reduce Ama. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.
• Indigestion
Curry leaves help to manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Curry leaves help to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties respectively.
• Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Curry leaves can be used as a food supplement during diarrhea. This is because it improves digestive fire due to its Deepan (appetizer) nature.
• Hair loss
A paste of Curry leaves or oil (from Curry leaves) helps to control hair fall and promote hair growth when applied to the scalp. This is because hair fall is mainly due to an aggravated Vata dosha in the body. Curry leaves help to balance Vata dosha and promote hair growth due to its Keshya (hair tonic) property.
• Mouth Ulcer
Mouth ulcers are also known as Mukh Pak in Ayurveda and they usually appear on the tongue, lips, inside the cheeks, inside the bottom lip or on the gums. Curry leaves help in quick healing of mouth ulcers due to its Ropan (healing) property.
• Diabetes
Curry leaves are good for managing diabetes. They promote glucose uptake by the cells and increase insulin secretion. Curry leaves have good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They decrease free radicals in the body and prevent the damage of pancreatic β-cells.
• High Cholesterol
Curry leaves help to lower the level of triglycerides and bad cholesterol in the blood. Curry leaves also increase the level of good cholesterol in the body.High cholesterol is due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Impaired digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This causes accumulation of bad cholesterol and blockage in the blood vessels. Taking Curry leaves in your daily diet improves Agni (digestive fire) and reduce Ama. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties and thus cholesterol level.
• Improves Memory
Curry leaves help to improve memory. They inhibit the activity of cholinesterase enzyme in the brain. This in turns inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine. Increase in acetylcholine is responsible for learning and memory. Thus, Curry leaves are responsible for managing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
• Good for Eyesight
Curry leaves are good for eyesight as it is rich in vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for improving eyesight. Consumption of Curry leaves might also reduce the risk of cataract.
• Wound Healing
Curry leaves help in wound healing. They help in the contraction of the wound and reduces its size. They also have disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties that promote wound healing.
• Good for Liver
Curry leaves are good for the liver. They have good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curry leaves also act as a hepatoprotective (liver protecting) agent and help to protect the liver cells.
Side Effects –
Although Curry leaves are safe to eat, excess consumption can lead to some digestive problems like burning sensation.
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