Curry leaves contain many medicinal and culinary benefits. It is a well-known herb in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Without curry leaves, every dish seems less than perfect, but the presence of curry leaves is not only to provide a savory and delicious taste in dishes but also to provide medicinal and healing benefits. Here we will review some of the health benefits of curry leaves that you should not miss from each of your dishes.
Curry leaves are also known among Indians as “kadi patta”. It is a plant native to India which is rich in benefits. This spice is something that should not be lost in every Indian kitchen, whether used for culinary or for medicinal benefits in treating various ailments.
Curry leaves can be found in South Indian recipes such as in Rasam, upma, curry, sambhar. Also, in the cuisine of Southeast Asians such as India, Malaysia and Thailand, this leaf is also very popular, even the Acehnese, in Sumatra, grow curry plants in every yard of their house. They will use it as a food flavoring in any curry or fatty dish, even in frying meat.
Nutrition Value on Curry Leaves
Why curry leaves have so many benefits, what are the nutritional values of curry leaves?
Carbohydrates |
18.700 gm |
Moisture |
63.800 gm |
Fibre |
6.400 gm |
Protein |
6.100 gm |
Minerals |
4.000 gm |
Fat |
1.000 gm |
Calcium |
830.00 mg |
Phosphorus |
57.000 mg |
Iron |
0.930 mg |
Copper |
0.100 mg |
Magnesium |
44.000 mg |
Zinc |
0.200 mg |
Vitamin C |
4.000 mg |
Total Energy: |
108 kcal |
In 100 grams of curry leaves contains about 108 calories. While other nutrients in savory leaves are carbohydrates, fiber, energy, magnesium, phosphorus, minerals, and copper. While the content of vitamins include nicotinic, amino acids, flavonoids, and antioxidants.
In addition, curry leaves contain vitamins A, B, C, and B2 as well as iron and calcium.
Curry leaves can be used fresh or dried. You can fry it or use it in gravy dishes such as curries and others.
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Best Benefits of Curry Leaves (Kadi Patta)
Curry leaves are not only famous for their delicious food but also for their medicinal value. Curry leaves are anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and are included in anti-cancer leaves. In the world of Ayurvedic medicine, the use of curry leaves is often an ingredient for medicine.
1. Curry Leaves for Diabetes
If you suffer from blood dula, then curry leaves are a powerful traditional medicine for you to use. Consuming curry leaves can lower your blood glucose levels, so consuming curry leaves can help manage diabetes, and can reduce the bad effects of diabetes itself. Curry leaves contain copper, iron, and contain minerals such as zinc which play a role in glycemic control.
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Curry leaves are a spice that is rich in fiber and this can slow down digestion thereby preventing blood sugar spikes. Consuming curry leaves regularly can also improve insulin efficiency.
2. Benefits of curry leaves for weight loss
One of the functions of curry leaves is to increase detoxification or elimination of toxins from the body. This is a very effective way to lose body fat, so curry leaves are known as leaves that can lose weight and prevent obesity.
Another benefit of curry leaves related to diabetes is lowering blood triglycerides and blood cholesterol.
Also read: 10+ Benefits of Bay Leaves
3. The benefits of curry leaves for liver health
Curry leaf is a spice that contains anti-hepatotoxic, this is the ability to protect the liver from various types of harm. As we mentioned that curry leaves are rich in antioxidants including kaempferol, these are compounds that protect the liver from harmful free radicals or bacterial infections.
So, consuming curry leaves can prevent liver damage from consuming alcohol. It also protects and provides protection to the body’s organs and helps their performance.
4. Reduce stress
Another benefit of curry leaves is that it reduces stress. Stress is a psychological turmoil that makes a person depressed with his life. Stress can cause serious illness in a person, including being overweight or obese. Consuming curry leaves can help calm your mind and manage stress, its distinctive aroma makes the mind calm and comfortable.
This leaf contains antioxidants, this can protect the body from the dangers of oxidative stress and free radicals.
5. Benefits of curry leaves for morning sickness
To get the benefits of curry leaves against morning sickness you can make curry leaf tea. Consuming tea from curry leaves can prevent nausea and prevent morning sickness that can occur during pregnancy. Curry leaf tea is a healthy drink for pregnant women during the first trimester.
How to make curry leaf tea is very easy. Boil and strain the water and drink while warm. Besides enjoying curry leaf tea, you can also make curry leaf juice. Add a few drops of lime and brown sugar for extra flavor.
See too: 14 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Leaves
6. Curry leaves are good for vision health
Research says that curry leaves are rich in vitamin A, which is quite good for health. The carotenoid content in vitamin A is useful for protecting the cornea of the eye, and the surface of the eye. If you lack vitamin A, your eyes can experience night blindness.
In the old days, people applied curry leaf juice directly to their eyes. If not with good knowledge and proper knowledge, this is not the right choice. If you consume curry leaves regularly, it can prevent cataracts from an early age.
7. Benefits of curry leaves (Kadi Patta) for hair
The leaves which are famous in India with the name kadi Patta also have many benefits for hair health. Here are some uses of curry leaves for hair.
- Prevents hair loss. Curry leaves contain beta-carotene and protein, these are good for promoting hair growth, and good for reducing hair loss. The content of antioxidants and amino acids is useful for moisturizing hair and strengthening hair follicles on the scalp.
- Nourish damaged hair. Hair without proper nutrition can cause dryness, dullness, and hair loss. With curry leaves, hair can be nourished again and make hair healthy again.
- Prevents gray hair. One of the benefits of Kadi Patta that many are interested in is its ability to prevent gray hair. Gray hair is a common thing, but if the gray hair appears earlier than the time, this is a sign that there is a problem with your health. Gray hair can be caused by genetics, stress and alcohol. Curry leaves contain B vitamins whose benefits are to nourish the hair and delay the onset of gray hair.
8. Affects the nervous system
The antioxidant content in curry leaves protects the brain. even research shows that the benefits of daunkari can also help Alzheimer’s disease by preventing damage to neurons. Also, one of the great benefits of curry leaves is that it prevents memory loss or amnesia and this often occurs in elderly people.
9. Heals wounds and infections
Cuts, burns, skin irritation, bruises, insect bites, irritation are some of the skin problems that can be treated with curry leaves. You can consume it by making curry juice or pasta. It not only heals but also speeds up the healing process.
Curry leaves also contain carbazole alkaloids, this is a type of antioxidant that speeds up healing. While the alkaloid content helps heal wounds, restore the growth of damaged hair. Another benefit of curry leaves is to treat inflamed skin, treat boils, and burns.
10. Benefits of curry leaves for cholesterol control
Consuming curry leaves which are rich in antioxidants can prevent cholesterol from oxidizing (the cause of bad cholesterol). Finally, curry leaves can increase good cholesterol and protect the body from heart disease and atherosclerosis.
So, those who often eat curry leaves have less risk of heart problems, and hypertension.
11. Treat nasal congestion
Curry leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, it also has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The benefits of curry leaves are to help relieve nasal congestion, sinusitis, cough and cold symptoms.
12. Benefits of curry leaves for uterus
If you are pregnant, don’t be afraid to eat curry leaves because it is safe for your uterus. Even eating curry leaves in a certain amount can prevent premature birth and can prevent anemia. In fact, curry leaves can also help get rid of uterine infections, and improve the health of the uterus so that it becomes a healthy place for the embryo.
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13. Eliminate free radicals in the body
Free radicals from nature resulting from factory burning, water pollution, soil, air pollution and others as well as free radicals from foods such as fruits and vegetables that are exposed to toxins can be minimized by curry leaves. So, be diligent in eating curry leaves, or don’t forget to include them in every dish and dish we serve.
The antioxidant content in curry leaves is useful in eradicating free radicals that damage cells.
14. Easy to add in various recipes
One of the benefits of curry leaves is as a flavoring dish. There are many foods that add curry leaves and give it a distinctive and delicious taste. Usually the addition of curry leaves is often stir-fried with spices and oil or butter, this will add to the nutrition of the dish.
There are several easy ways to use curry leaves directly in your cooking in the kitchen. Check out the following:
- Mix fresh or dried curry leaves in chili, cumin, turmeric and other seasonings. You can use curry leaves in any dish as a temper. Curry leaves will give a distinctive and fresh aroma.
- Dried curry leaves can be added as a topping on savory dishes with any recipe
- You can also add curry leaves to coconut chutney or sauces.
- Fried curry leaves can be used as a topping or as a sauce.
- How to use curry leaves can also be stir-fried in ghee. You can add softened curry leaves in various dishes you like.
Those are just some ideas for using curry leaves in cooking. Actually not limited to the use of curry leaves in your culinary. You can experiment in different dishes where you want to make them healthier.
Side Effects of Eating Raw Curry Leaves
Do you often eat raw curry leaves? Please eat because curry leaves do not have certain side effects.
However, if you are sensitive to pollen or are experiencing asthma, then you should avoid consuming curry leaves.
One more thing, if you consume curry leaves in excess, then you are worried that it can cause stomach problems.