Amazing benefits using Curry Leaves

Curry leaves are natural flavouring agents with a number of important health benefits, which makes your food both healthy and tasty along with pleasing aroma. They contain various antioxidant properties and have the ability to control diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, excessive acid secretion, peptic ulcers, dysentery, diabetes and an unhealthy cholesterol balance. They are also believed to have cancer fighting properties and are known to help protect the liver.

The plant is native to India and is usually found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is cultivated in various other countries such as China, Australia, Nigeria and Ceylon. Height of the plant ranges from small to medium. The most useful parts of this plant are the leaves, root and the bark. The leaves, with their vast herbal properties, are used in various local cuisines across India and other parts of Asia as flavoring agents.

The main nutrients found in curry leaves are carbohydrates, energy, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, copper and minerals. It also contains various vitamins like nicotinic acid and vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, antioxidants, plant sterols, amino acids, glycosides and flavonoids. Also, nearly zero fat (0.1 g per 100 g) is found in curry leaves.

The following are benefits using Curry Leaves

• Curry leaf juice is good for digestion and to control acidity. A decocotion of curry leaf root and ginger is beneficial for stomach ache. Curry paste leaf mixed with buttermilk is very effective for a stomach upset.
• Curry leaf juice with cardamom powder is said to be a home remedy for urinary problems.
• The green leaves eaten raw helps people with dysentry and the infusion of washed leaves stops vomiting.
• The branches of the plant can be used as a brush to clean teeth as they strengthen the gums.
• Adding curry leaf powder to lemon juice with a little jaggery is a natural home remedy to control morning sickness.
• Dried curry leaves consumed with hot water or milk helps to cure chronic anaemia.
• The leaves are applied to bruises and eruptions on the skin for quick cure. They should be applied as a poultice on the affected areas.
• Mixture of curry leaf paste and fresh turmeric rhizome is a very effective home remedy for allergies due to respiratory problems.
• Add curry leaves to your hair oil and boil it for a few minutes till it becomes a blackened residue. This is a good hair tonic and helps hair growth and premature greying.