Curry Leaves- The Wonderful Indian Spice for Exotic Flavours

The distinct aroma and wonderful flavour of curry leaf are hard to ignore. This amazing herb cum spice from south India is the reason behind the delectable taste of many dishes. Curry leaf is refreshingly nice to taste with its numerous health benefits adding a bonus. They resemble Indian lilac and are also known as Kadi Patta in India. The fresh curry leaves are used quite often in many Indian dishes down south and in western parts of the country. You can also use dried leaves in your spice mixes.

How to Find Authentic Curry Leaf?

The fresh or dried curry leaf is perfect as a seasoning or any delectable spice mix. The fragrance and flavour of this herb are hard to describe. They have a sharp, warm, and citrusy taste with undertone of smoke and spice.

If you want an intense seasoning, go for fresh leaves. You can find them in Asian grocery stores. But, if you want it for making a unique spice mix, find dried curry leaves at a store near you. Online spice stores are the ideal place to look for these leaves.

Nutritional Profile of Curry Leaf

With 66.3% of moisture content and 6% protein, curry leaf has an impressive nutritional profile. It has nearly zero fat and 6.45% of fibre content in this herb. The curry leaf is also high in phosphorus, antioxidants, amino acids, iron, flavonoids, glycosides, vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Due to these nutrients, the leaves from curry plant are extremely good for your health as well.

Health Benefits of Curry Leaf

Despite its impressive health benefits, most of the people skip eating curry leaf floating in the curries. This herb has wonderful benefits for your complete well-being. Some ways in which your body can gain nutrition from these leaves are:

Antioxidant Content

Leaves of curry plant have high antioxidants and presence of many valuable vitamins. As such, it reduces the movement of free radicals in the body and reduces any type of oxidative stress.

Cures Diabetes

The regular consumption of curry leaf can reduce the blood sugar level in your body. It has therapeutically protective nature that has shown impressive results in studies conducted in the labs.

Controls Diarrhoea

The curry leaf has carbazole alkaloid in its composition. This compound has anti diarrhoea properties. Hence, you can use curry leaves to make a paste or juice to cure diarrhoea.

Relieves Indigestion

When you consume these leaves on a daily basis, there are lesser chances of getting down with indigestion. The leaves from curry plant can be taken every morning on an empty stomach to trigger fast and easy digestion.

Heals Anaemia

Due to high iron content, curry leaf can be easily absorbed by the body. 100 grams of these leaves have nearly 0.930 mg of iron in them. So, if you consume it daily, you will get faster relief from anaemia.

Controls Pathogen Attacks

In some studies, it was found that leaves of curry plant have odiferous oil present in their chemical composition. Due to this compound, curry leaf has strong antifungal and antibacterial capabilities.

Active against Cytotoxic Effects

The stem of curry leaf plant has Carbazole Alkaloids that can inhibit the growth of leukaemia cells in human beings. This herb can not only fight leukaemia and colon cancer but also manage anti-tumour activities in your body.

Great for Skin and Hair

Curry leaf has vitamin B6 that works as hormone regulators to prevent hair loss. It also strengthens the roots and shafts of hair due to their essential nutrients.
Like many other herbs, curry leaf also comes with many health benefits. You can use them in your daily cooking to add a lot of flavour and aroma to your dishes.