Recipe

13 reasons to add curry leaves to your diet

Neha Jain

August 11, 2023

Sambar. Upma. Dal. Poha. What do they all have in common? A tempering rich in curry leaves. But curry leaves – or kadi patta, as they are commonly known in India – do more good than simply seasoning your food.

In The Ayurvedic Cookbook, Gita Ramesh says the many curry power benefits include weight loss and a drop in cholesterol levels.

But there’s lots more that the kadi patta can do. We give you 13 reasons to chew on those curry leaves that pop up on your plate.

  1. To keep anaemia away – The humble kadi patta is a rich source of iron and folic acid. Anaemia crops up when your body is unable to absorb iron and use it. “Folic acid is responsible for iron absorption and as kadi patta is a rich source of both compounds, it’s the perfect choice if you’re looking to amp up your iron levels,” says Alpa Momaya, a Diet & Wellness consultant with HealthifyMe.
  2. To protect your liver – If you are a heavy drinker, eating curry leaves can help quell liver damage. A study published in Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research has revealed that curry leaves contain kaempferol, a potent antioxidant, and can protect the liver from oxidative stress and harmful toxins.
  3. To maintain blood sugar levels – A study published in the Journal of Plant food for Nutrition has revealed that curry leaves can lower blood sugar levels by affecting the insulin activity.
  4. To keep your heart healthy – A study published in the Journal of Chinese Medicine showed that “curry leaves can help increase the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) and protect you from heart disease and atherosclerosis,” Momaya says.
  5. To aid in digestion – Curry leaves have a carminative nature, meaning that they prevent the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract and facilitate the expulsion of gas if formed. Ayurveda also suggests that kadi patta has mild laxative properties and can balance the pitta levels in the body. Momaya’s advice: “A juice of curry leaves with a bit of lime juice or added to buttermilk can be consumed for indigestion.”
  6. To control diarrhoea – Even though curry leaves have mild laxative properties, research has shown that the carbazole alkaloids in curry leaves can help control diarrhoea.
  7. To reduce congestionKadi patta has long been a home remedy when it comes to dealing with a wet cough, sinusitis or chest congestion. Curry leaves, packed with vitamins C and A and rich in kaempferol, can help loosen up congested mucous.
  8. To help you lose weight Kadi patta is known to improve digestion by altering the way your body absorbs fat. This quality is particularly helpful to the obese.
  9. To combat the side effects of chemotherapy – Curry leaves are said to protect the body from the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. They also help protect the bone marrow and halt the production of free radicals in the body.
  10. To improve your visionKadi patta is high in vitamin A, which contains carotenoids that can protect the cornea. Eating a diet rich in curry leaves can help improve your vision over time.
  11. To prevent skin infections – Kadi patta combines potent antioxidant properties with powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiprotozoal properties. It is a common home remedy for common skin infections such as acne and fungal infections of the nail.
  12. To get better hairKadi patta has long been used to prevent greying of the hair by our grandmothers. It also helps treat damaged hair, tackle hair fall and dandruff and add bounce to limp hair.
  13. To take care of skin – Curry leaves can also be used to heal damaged skin. Apply a paste on burns, cuts, bruises, skin irritations and insect bites to ensure quick recovery and clean healing.

About the Author

She may have multiple degrees to back her expertise, but Neha Jain believes there’s nothing too complex about nutrition. Neha completed her MSc in Food and Nutrition from Delhi University and also did a Diploma in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences. Neha is also a Certified Diabetes Educator with extensive experience in endocrinological disorders and weight reduction, having worked with renowned endocrinologist Dr Ambrish Mithal in Delhi. Neha’s goal has always been to help people make healthy choices, and while at HealthifyMe, she always felt that her task was simplified with its technology.


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25 responses to “13 reasons to add curry leaves to your diet”

  1. In three words: Great, great post!! I am the person who doesn’t like the kadi pata in my dish…
    Thank you so much for this useful info..

  2. nice article and have good information about curry leaves

    its was helpful for me also and I hope it will be helpful for too many people that are searching for this topic.
    Thanks for sharing.

  3. Very informative.I use curry leaves in my daily routine cooking but never knew it’s benefits. Now, since I am aware of it’s benefits, I shall use it more frequently and in more quantities so that me n my family can benefit from it n stay more healthy. Apart from it’s benefit u gave a delicious receipe which is very easy to make with easily available items.Thanks healthily. i am ur fan n am happy that I made a healthy choice of choosing u as my coach/guide.

  4. Well this article that i’ve been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.

  5. Thanks for sharing.I hope it will be helpful for too many people that are searching for this topic.

  6. Thanks for the best blog. it was very useful for me.
    keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. Thanks for giving me the useful information.

  7. I needed to send you the tiny remark so as to say thank you over again over the amazing things you’ve shared at this time.

  8. Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking.

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