Curry leaves or kadi patta (as popular in India) are known for their unique flavor , and are widely used and consumed in India. They are one of the most widely used ingredients used for tempering Indian cuisines and dishes. These leaves come from the curry leaf tea or murraya koenigii (scientific name).
Most of us throw away the curry leaves while eating, though we enjoy the taste that has been already infused into our dishes. After reading this, you will never again do this, because of the innumerable health benefits of curry leaves we are going to tell you about. Ayurvedic research has also suggested many healthy benefits of curry leaves.
They have many ayurvedic and medicinal properties that benefit not only your health, but also your skin and hair. These various amazing health benefits will help you understand why you should add curry leaves or kadi patta in your daily diet.
Table of Contents
Watch Video – Health Benefits Of Curry Leaves
Reasons Why You Should Include Kadi Patta In Your Diet
1. Curry Leaves Keep iron-deficiency diseases away
When you eat curry leaves or kadi patta in your diet regularly, you will never experience any ailments related to iron-deficiency such as anemia, low hemoglobin, dehydration, fatigue, etc. Curry leaves are rich sources of iron and folic acid. The folic acid of the leaves helps your body to absorb iron better than before.
Therefore, if you want to improve the iron levels in your body, you have to eat a lot of curry leaves or kadi patta regularly; thanks to its folic acid and iron content. If you are iron deficient, chances are your body wouldn’t be able to produce red blood cells which carry oxygen. Iron deficiency can also lead to complications during pregnancy.
2. Helps you lose weight | Curry leaves and weight loss
Curry leaves or kadi patta are loaded with nutrients that help you cut off the extra flab in your body with ease. This is why curry leaves are an important part of the Ayurveda weight loss remedies and various diet plans. Several thousands of years ago, Ayurveda researches proved that curry leaves are very effective for weight loss as well, apart from its aroma.
In fact, curry leaves or kadi patta help avoid fat-accumulation, which is further effective in weight loss. Fat can be accumulated, especially around belly and face, because of excessive junk food consumption. These belly fat and face fat is quite stubborn, therefore, it is important to include fat cutting diet including curry leaves, which will help in weight loss. Remember, weight loss is a gradual process and should be done in a healthy way.
The carbazole alkaloids found in curry leaves help to keep your cholesterol levels under control, thanks to which you can succeed in weight-loss goals. When you want to lose weight quickly and effectively, you don’t have to hunt for any fancy foods in the supermarkets.
You can chew some fresh curry leaves on an empty stomach every morning or just soak them in water and leave them overnight and drink the water next day on an empty stomach; thanks to the carbazole alkaloids, it will help keep your cholesterol levels in check. This, when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical exercise, will definitely bring about desired weight loss in you. Carbazole alkaloids hatiesve antibiotic properties too. The next health benefit is for people who are looking to improving their gut and stomach health.
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3. Curry Leaves Are Good For Your Gut Health And Prevent Digestion Problems Like Dysentry, Diarrhea, Etc.
Since they are packed with a lot of nutrients such as Vitamins A, B2, and C, curry leaves or kadi patta are considered to be very good for healing your gut health. It could help in healing problems like irregular bowel movement, dysentery, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, constipation and other digestive issues.
Chewing fresh curry leaves every morning will keep your gut healthy and free of all toxins, further reducing the risk of diarrhea, dysentry and other stomach related problems. You can also powder a few curry leaves and add it to a glass of buttermilk. Add a few fenugreek seeds to this refreshing drink and consume it daily to keep your stomach healthy. This refreshing drink also helps in keeping your digestive system healthy. A healthy digestion system will also help you lose weight quickly and effectively. Don’t forget to eat a healthy diet for solving your digestion or digestive system woes.
According to Ayurveda, curry leaves help to maintain the pitta balance in your body, thereby helping in healing problems like gas in the stomach, bloating, etc. The carminative, laxative, and medicinal properties of curry leaves provide a lot of quick relief to your gastrointestinal tract and further keep your stomach healthy. Blend a few curry leaves and make a juice out of it. Now, add a few drops of lemon juice to this. Drink this mixture every day to get rid of several digestive gastric problems. You could also add curry leaves to your dishes and beverages like buttermilk.
Did you know curry leaves are a great source of calcium? Curry leaves are actually a powerhouse of calcium, which is great for building and strengthening bones and teeth.
4. Curry Leaves Help Regulate Blood Cholesterol Levels
Curry leaves are rich in antioxidants; therefore, they control the formation of LDL or bad cholesterol in your body. LDL or low-density lipoprotein is the bad cholesterol levels that blocks the arteries of the heart and reduces its blood-pumping capacity, thereby leading to several cardiac-related ailments like heart diseases, heart strokes, etc. LDL is formed when the cholesterol is oxidized.
Thanks to the abundant antioxidants present in them, curry leaves prevent this oxidization and stop the cells from being damaged due to oxidative stress caused by the free radicals. When the cholesterol levels are brought under control, you become less prone to heart diseases, heart strokes, atherosclerosis and more.
5. Curry Leaves Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
If you already have diabetes, you can eat curry leaves regularly for managing blood sugar levels. Since they are rich in antioxidants, they stop the free radicals from damaging the pancreas, further keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Curry leaves are also rich in minerals such as zinc, copper, iron and more. This ensures that the blood sugar levels are kept at a healthy-low at all times.
6. Curry Leaves Prevent And Relieve Morning Sickness And Nausea
In their first trimester of pregnancy, many women suffer from morning sickness and nausea. When they chew a few natural curry leaves on an empty stomach, they will experience a visible improvement in their nausea. These leaves encourage the production of digestion enzymes in your body, thanks to which women feel a reduced the symptoms or sensation to vomit.
7. Curry Leaves Help Improve Immunity
Aromatic curry leaves are rich in Vitamin C, an element which also helps in improving one’s immunity. Also, the antioxidants found in curry leaves block all kinds of cell damage that are caused by the oxidative stress released by free radicals. Curry leaves are known for their anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.
The anti-inflammatory compound linalool present in curry leaves, also helps in the treatment of open wounds and reduce the infection. The aroma and the ingredients of natural curry leaves also can kill all types of bacterial, fungal and viral infestations in our body, thereby making us less prone to common ailments such as cold, flu and cough and avoid causing further damage.
When you have an open wound or skin burn, make a paste out of curry leaves and apply it on the wounds. Leave the paste on your face and skin overnight to recover quickly. This treatment is perfect when you are looking for home remedy for your wounds or skin burn, which further help reducing inflammation, helping the wounds or skin burn to heal easier and quickly.
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8. Curry Leaves Help Improve Your Vision And Prevent Night Blindness
Since aromatic curry leaves are good sources of Vitamin A, they can be consumed regularly if you want healthy eyes and normal vision. The carotenoids in curry leaves can improve the health of the cornea. Also, studies have proved that regular consumption of curry leaves can reduce the early formation of cataracts.
Vitamin A is known to keep your immunity system in check, reduce the risk of acne, and is said to also reduce the risk of certain cancers and other disorders. It is important to load up on more vitamin rich diet.
9. Curry Leaves Are Good For Your Liver
Curry leaves contain an effective antioxidant named kaempferol, which is very good for protecting your liver. These antioxidants prevent oxidative stress caused to the liver, thereby keeping this vital organ safe from toxins.
10. Curry Leaves Are Excellent Stress-relief Tool
Are you suffering from stress, hypertension, depression or any other form of anxiety? Inhaling the aroma of essential oils that contain curry leaves is considered to be an effective remedy to reduce stress and keep you safe from stress-related ailments such as migraines.
Did you know?
Curry leaves are helpful for your skin. They are perfect for treating acne, and also digging out all the dirt from the skin. You could make a fine paste using curry leaves and turmeric and apply on your face and skin to avoid acne problem and remove all the dirt. Turmeric tends to contain anti-inflammatory properties will be helpful in avoiding any skin infections or any disorders, or simply help in treating them.
Curry leaves for improving the overall health of your hair
Apart from your health, curry leaves are also considered to be very effective for your hair and have certain properties that will be helpful in maintaining overall health of your hair, and further help hair growth.
Curry leaves are said to be rich in beta-carotene and proteins that are known to help in increasing hair growth and hair loss. The benefits of curry leaves for hair growth are:
1. Curry Leaves Help To Prevent Premature Greying
Hair turning grey in the 20s or 30s is mostly unwanted, which is popularly known as premature greying. Hair colors are only temporary quick-fixes for premature greying, which can leave you with damaged hair.
Many believe that if you want to get rid of the grey hair problem permanently, you should opt to add curry leaves to your diet. These leaves are rich in Vitamin B, which help and protect your hair at all times.
2. Curry Leaves Prevent Hair Fall Issues And Encourage Hair Growth
Problems such as hair fall and hair thinning or damaged hair can be caused due to stress, genetic conditions, medications, etc. However, the amino acids, carotenes, and antioxidant properties strengthen the hair follicles and prevent hair-fall issues.
In fact, they help in eradicating dead hair follicles. Also, these effective properties make your hair dense and voluminous, further treating your hair issues.
3. Curry Leaves Moisturize Dry Hair
If you want to bring back the moisture content in your hair and keep it hydrated at all times, you have to condition it well. Add a few curry leaves to hot coconut oil before applying the warm oil all over your scalp. Leave the oil on overnight before washing off with a mild shampoo in the morning. When your hair and scalp doesn’t get any moisture, it becomes dry and becomes more prone to breakage and frizz.
Therefore, treat your hair and scalp with curry leaves regularly to make it healthy and promote hair growth. You could apply a curry leaves paste with coconut oil on your scalp to see the difference.
Things To Note
Curry leaves are very safe for adults and kids, and can be used anytime; thanks to their amazing properties. For best results, you can chew around 8 to 10 curry leaves every day on an empty stomach. The nutrients and antioxidant properties in the leaves are absorbed well by your body when you consume curry leaves before any other food item. However, there are chances people can be allergic to curry leaves, which is one of its side effects. Also, it is important for pregnant women to consult an expert before consuming these as they may have side effects
The amazing part of curry leaves is that it can be eaten raw as well, apart from being used in cooking. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is better to eat curry leaves after checking with your doctor, so that you don’t develop any complications.
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FAQs
1. What Is the Difference Between Curry Leaves and Curry Powder?
Despite their similar names, curry leaves and curry powder are two different ingredients that are used in different ways.
- Curry leaf is a herb grown on the curry leaf tree and Curry powder is a spice mix made up of coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne.
- Curry leaves originated in and are mostly found in Southern India and Sri Lanka whereas, Curry powder was invented by the British to add flavor to Indian dishes.
2. What are some of the most common ways to use Curry Leaves in cooking?
4 common ways to use Curry Leaves in cooking-
a. Sauté in ghee-
Sauté and soften the curry leaves in ghee. To get the leaves to release their delicious flavor, they need to be cooked at high heat. Stir them for three to five minutes and add the oil and leaves to any dish.
b. Make tadka-
The most popular way to use curry leaves is to make “tadka”. A mixture of curry leaves, mustard seeds, and cumin (and any other favorite Indian spices) are sauteed together in ghee or a similar oil that can withstand high heat. The other ingredients can be added and cooked in the tadka, or the tadka can be poured over a dish as the final step.
c. Dry them-
Air dry curry leaves in an open basket in an area away from direct light, which should take three to five days. Crumble them over any dish to add flavoring. Dried curry leaves can last up to a year when kept in a vacuum-sealed bag.
d. Flavor oil with curry leaves
Heat the oil in a pan, add the curry leaves, and saute. Remove the leaves and use the oil as a flavor in other foods. Alternatively, put the oil over flatbread, or rub it over fish as a glaze before you cook it.
3. Can I Eat Raw Curry Leaves?
Yes, curry leaves can be used in its raw form too, though frying them with little oil increases their taste and aroma. However, if you are allergic to curry leaves, you should abstain from consuming these leaves. Eating raw curry leaves in the morning benefits digestion -related issues such as diarrhoea, constipation, gas etc.
4. What is the best way to store Curry leaves?
Remove the curry leaves from the stems, wash them, and pat them dry. Place them on a large plate with a sieve or mesh cover and set the leaves out in the sun for 2-3 days. Store the dry leaves in a plastic container; you can even keep them in the fridge and simply get one whenever you need it!
5. Are curry leaf plants easy to grow at home?
Curry leaf plants are handy and can be grown in home gardens relatively easily in warm climates. Many people choose to cultivate their own plants for their seasoning needs. Although curry plants are frost tender, they can be grown indoors, particularly if you live in a cold region, and can flourish from cuttings or seeds!
6. Can I use dried curry leaves instead of fresh?
Fresh curry leaves are definitely better than dry, but if you cannot get fresh leaves in your area, dried ones will still release flavour when cooked. Just use a few more dry leaves than you would if they were fresh.
7. Are there any substitutes for Curry Leaves?
Fortunately, there are other herbs that you can use as substitutes for curry leaves. Lime zest, bay leaf, basil leaf and lime leaf, are easier to find, but they can also give your food the flavor, aroma, and most importantly, the nutrients for your body.