to the carbazole alkaloids they carry. Eat curry leaves raw, add them to your meals,
or drink an infusion to treat diabetes, dysentery, diarrhea, morning sickness, and nausea. Curry leaves also reduce your bodys fat
content, helping you lose weight.
Apply curry leaf paste to your skin and scalp
to treat wounds, boils, and dandruff. The curry leaf tree was originally grown in
India for its aromatic leaves and for embellishing ornaments. It soon found its way to the Asian kitchen,
the leaves or kadhi patta being added as a flavoring agent in most curries. But theres more to curry leaves than just
a heady aroma and an appetite-tickling flavor.
They are a rich source of vitamins A, B, C,
and B2, calcium, and iron.1 Because of this, they have been used in folklore medicine to
treat calcium deficiency, among several other conditions. Health Benefits Of Curry Leaves Lets take a look at some ways in which
the popular leaf-spice can benefit our health: 1. Eliminates Bacteria And Cell-Damaging Free
Radicals. Most illnesses are caused by infections or
involve oxidative cell damage at some point or the other.
In times of growing incidence of antibiotic-resistant
strains, alternative remedies to infections are crucial. Thats where curry leaves show promise. Curry leaves are loaded with carbazole alkaloids,
compounds that have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer properties. The compound linolool, primarily responsible
for the flowery scent of curry leaves, is also capable of killing bacteria and eliminating
cell-damaging free radicals.
2. Heals Wounds, Skin Eruption, And Burns. Trying to understand why curry leaves are
touted for their wound healing properties in Asian folk medicine, a group of Malaysian
researchers conducted a study on rats. They found that the topical application of
mahanimbicine, a carbazole alkaloid extracted from curry leaves, accelerated healing in
wounds that were not too deep.
Not only did they seal the skin gap but also
restored hair growth in the affected area. Curry leaves have similar curative effects
on boils, itchy or inflamed skin, and first-degree burns (mild burns). How To Use:
Grind fresh curry leaves into a paste. Add a little water if need be.
Apply this paste on burns, bruises, and skin
eruptions like boils (after you clean the affected area). Its best to leave the paste on overnight. Cover wounds with a bandage after applying
the paste. 3.
Encourages Weight Loss. Curry leaves play the successful underdog
when it comes to weight loss. A study in obese rats showed that the carbazole
alkaloids in curry leaves, particularly mahanimbine, work against body weight gain and reduce total
body cholesterol. This is good news for those trying to shave
off a few layers of fat from their bodies.
How To Use:
Munch on dried curry leaves as snacks or add fresh or dried leaves to your meals. They are a must in green salads. Regularly eating these leaves along with a
balanced diet and exercise may help you reach your weight loss goals sooner. 4.
Keeps Diabetes In Check. A study on diabetic mice showed that curry
leaves can reduce blood glucose levels. A similar study suggests curry leaves do so
by protecting insulin-producing cells of the pancreas from free radical damage. The effects are comparable to a well-known
sugar-lowering drug called glibenclamide.
Another study offers a different explanation
saying that the sugar-lowering effects are possibly due to the minerals (like iron, zinc,
and copper) in curry leaves that stimulate the pancreas. Though the nutrients in curry leaves may account
for only 12% of your recommended daily intake, researchers believe it is a good step
in the treatment of diabetes. Eat as many curry leaves as you can, raw or
in your meals. Bear in mind its spicy flavor.
5. Treats Dysentery, Diarrhea, And Constipation. Curry leaves can be eaten raw as mild laxatives. By supporting bowel movement and stimulating
digestive enzymes, they serve well in the treatment of digestive problems like dysentery
and diarrhea.
In a study on rats suffering from constipation,
curry leaf extracts were seen to relieve constipation while also easing abdominal pain. How To Use: For an upset stomach, grind curry leaves into
a powder using a mortar and pestle. Mix a teaspoon of it into a glass of buttermilk. Drink this concoction on an empty stomach.
Alternatively, eat raw, tender curry leaves
on an empty stomach. 6. Stimulates Hair Growth, Prevents Premature
Graying, And Cures Dandruff. Curry leaves stimulate hair follicles, promoting
the growth of healthy strands with normal amounts of hair pigment.
They, thus, can be used in treating hair loss
and premature graying. Dandruff is commonly caused by a Malassezia
furfur fungal scalp infection. This fungus causes hair loss and makes the
scalp flaky. Curry leaf extracts have shown antifungal
activity toward this fungus, which is why it can be used to treat dandruff.
How To Use:
For hair fall and dandruff, grind dried curry leaves into a powder and mix in some coconut
oil. The quantity of oil you add depends on the
length of your hair. Massage the mix into your scalp. Leave for half an hour and wash off with a
mild shampoo.
Do this at least once a week. For gray hair, crush fresh curry leaves into
a paste. Massage it into your scalp and wash off after
half an hour. Do this, too, at least once a week.
7. Relieves Stress. This has to do with the calming effects of
the fragrance from curry leaves. Studies in rats showed that the inhalation
of linalool could help alleviate stress.
Curry leaf essential oil, thus, may be a useful
tool in the treatment of anxiety and depression. How To Use:
Apply 23 drops of the essential oil on your pillow cover before you sleep to wake
up happy. 8. Sharpens Memory.
By incorporating curry leaves in your diet,
you may be able to sharpen your memory. A study in rats showed that dietary intake
of curry leaves can significantly reduce amnesia or loss of memory. The potential of curry leaves in the treatment
of impaired memory disorders like Alzheimers is definitely one that needs to be explored. When cooking, saute a couple of curry leaves
in the oil before you add the other ingredients.
Try incorporating curry leaves, fresh and
dried, into as many meals as possible. 9. Relieves Morning Sickness And Nausea. Curry leaves increase digestive secretions
and thereby relieve nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness.
The inherent flavor of curry leaves may contribute
as well. Blend 1520 fresh curry leaves into a juice. You may manually crush the leaves as well. To one or two teaspoons of the leaf juice,
add a teaspoon of lime juice and a pinch of jaggery.
Have this mix. Alternatively, boil curry leaves in water
and strain out the leaves. Drink the infusion when warm to mitigate the
urge to vomit. 10.
Treats Orofacial Dyskinesia. Orofacial dyskinesia involves involuntary,
repetitive movements of muscles in the mouth and face. Twitching below the eye and smacking of lips
commonly associated with psychotic patients are examples of this condition. In animal studies, curry leaves could protect
nerve cells from damage by virtue of their rich reserves of antioxidants.
Traditional Use Of Curry Leaves For Better
Eyesight. The claim that curry leaves can improve eyesight
and prevent the early onset of cataract is mostly based on traditional medicine. The reasoning is that curry leaves are rich
in vitamin A that helps protect the eye cornea, the transparent layer covering the eye. Traditional practices involve suffusing the
eyes with the juice from fresh curry leaves.
This should never be attempted without professional
supervision. Now knowing what a few naive leaves can offer,
you will probably never look at curry leaves the same way again. For something that is so easy to add to your
diet, you should definitely give it a try..
No comments:
Post a Comment