Curry Leaf

CURRY LEAF

The curry leaf tree is a native of Southern India and Sri Lanka. The leaves, originally used mainly in Indian and Sri Lankan cooking, is now found assimilated in the local cuisine in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Curry leaves have been used for as a natural flavoring agent in curries, sambal and pointed leaves in sprigs, give off a strong delightful aroma while being sauteed with spices.Chopped tender curry leaves are delicious in an omelette or scrambled eggs. The strong aroma is so wonderful to smell.

The benefits of curry leaf.

Constipation

Curry leaves possess the qualities of an herbal tonic. They strengthen the functions of stomach and promote its action. The mature leaves are also used as a mild laxative. The leaves may be taken by itself or mixed with other mild tasting herbs. The juice extracted from 15 grams of leaves may be taken with buttermilk. To help in constipation, one can soak curry leaves in hot water for a few hours and drink the water with a spoonful of honey added to it. It eases the digestive tract and allows easier motion of stools.

Morning sickness

Fresh juice of curry leaves, with lime juice and sugar, is an effective medicine in the treatment of morning sickness, nausea and vomiting due to indigestion and excessive fatty foods. One or two teaspoons of juice of curry leaves mixed with a teaspoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon sugar may be taken in these condition. The curry leaves, ground to a fine paste and mixed with buttermilk or Moru, can also be taken on an empty stomach with beneficial results in case of stomach upsets. Plain curry leaf tea also helps to cure nausea.

Diarrhea

Tender curry leaves are useful in diarrhea, dysentery and piles. They can be taken, mixed with honey. Those who can withstand the taste and have a strong stomach can chew on fresh curry leaves and count on it to relieve diarrhea. The bark of the tree is also useful in bilious vomiting. A teaspoon of the powder or the decoction of the dry bark should be given with cold water in this condition.

Premature greying of hair

Liberal intake of fresh curry leaves is considered beneficial in preventing premature greying of hair. These leaves have the property to nourish the hair roots. New hair roots that grow are healthier with normal pigment.

Hair care

Curry leaves boiled in coconut oil till they are reduced to a blackened residue forms an excellent hair tonic in retaining the natural pigmentation and also stimulating hair growth. It can be effective hair colorant which causes minimum damage and maximum benefit to greying or thinning hair.

Burns and bruises

Curry leaves can be effectively used to treat burns, bruises and skin eruptions. They should be applied as a poultice over the affected areas.

Insect bites

Fruits of the tree, which are berries, are edible. They are green when raw, but purple when ripe. Juice of these berries, mixed with equal proportion of lime juice, is an effective fluid for external application in insect stings and bites of poisonous creatures.

Curry leaves do make an fantastic aroma in our food -