Curry leaves are a common cooking ingredient for people native to India’s subtropical and tropical regions. The curry leaves are known for their aroma and are often used for seasoning oils, soups or stews.
Apart from culinary uses, the leaves are also used in Ayurvedic and herbal medicines. These aromatic leaves are a rich source of vitamins A, B, C and B2, calcium, protein, amino acids, phosphorous, fiber and iron.
However, the health benefits of curry leaves are mostly due to the alkaloids they contain. They also have antioxidant, antibacterial, insecticidal, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties.
Because of this nutritional profile, the leaves have been used in folklore medicine to treat several health problems.
You can use these leaves raw or in dried form. Even curry leaf essential oil is available in the market.
* Treats Premature Hair GrayingPremature gray hair is a common problem nowadays. To deal with it, you can use curry leaves. Curry leaves help increase darker pigmentation in your hair.
* Keeps Diabetes in CheckIf you have diabetes and want to keep your blood sugar level under control in a natural way, include curry leaves in your diet.
By doing so, you can protect and stimulate insulin-producing pancreatic cells. This will lower your blood sugar.
In addition, the leaves influence carbohydrate metabolism and also reduce the risk of oxidative stress.
* Lowers LDL CholesterolLDL (low-density lipoproteins) or bad cholesterol can be lowered by consuming curry leaves on a daily basis.
Being rich in antioxidants, curry leaves prevent the oxidation of cholesterol that forms LDL (bad cholesterol). The leaves also help increase the level of HDL (high-density lipoproteins) or good cholesterol. This in turn protects you from conditions like heart disease and atherosclerosis, which can cause early death.
* Eliminates Free RadicalsCurry leaves are rich in carbazole alkaloids, which have antioxidative properties. These properties work to protect your body’s cells from damage caused by oxidants, which are free radicals that play a major role in disease formation.
* Encourages Weight LossIf you are struggling with weight loss, you have another reason to add curry leaves to your diet plan.
First of all, the leaves help cleanse the body and remove harmful toxins in the form of excretory wastes along with urine and feces.
* Heals WoundsCurry leaves can accelerate the process of healing wounds, cuts and burns.
Curry leaves have antioxidant and antibacterial properties that not only accelerate healing but also reduce the risk of infections.
* Stimulates Hair GrowthCurry leaves also help strengthen hair roots. In addition, there are several nutrients in the leaves that can help repair damaged hair roots. You can mix a little curry leaf powder in your hair oil and massage it onto your scalp. Leave it on overnight, then wash your hair the next morning. Do this 2 or 3 times a week to notice improvement in hair growth.