Curry leaves or sweet neem leaves are widely used in India for culinary and medicinal purposes. These are small green leaves with unique aroma and flavor. They are generally used for seasoning in the South Indian dishes like rasam, sambhar, chutney etc.
Nutritional value of curry leaves
Around 100 grams of curry leaves provide 108 calories of energy. These leaves are very rich in carbohydrates, protein, fiber, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and other minerals. They also have vitamins like vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Health benefits of curry leaves:
1. Powerful antioxidant
Curry leaves are highly rich in plant compounds that are powerful antioxidants. These compounds keep you healthy and also protect from numerous diseases. They shield us from oxidative damage, prevent diseases of the nervous systems, cardiovascular systems, and kidneys.
2. May reduce the risk of cancer
Curry leaves also have anti-mutagenic properties. They protect the body from various types of cancers. Flavonoids in the curry leaves act as an anti-cancer agent. They are very effective in preventing the growth of the breast cancer cells. Curry leaves also protect our body from colon cancer. Curry leaves are also useful in protecting the body from cervical cancer.
3. Reduces the risk of heart disease
Curry leaves protect the heart by averting oxidative damage. Eating of curry leaves decreases the cholesterol levels and reduces the levels of the triglycerides. Minimizing the risk factors, therefore, helps in protecting you from the heart diseases.
4. Helpful for diabetics
Consumption of the curry leaves helps manage diabetes and the related complications. The curry leaves were considered to be very effective in reducing blood glucose levels.
Curry leaves are very rich in fiber that slows down the digestion process, so preventing sudden increase in the blood sugar levels in the blood. They also enhance the activities of insulin, helping the patients suffering from diabetes.
5. Analgesic
Curry leaves are useful in relieving pain and traditionally act as an analgesic.
6. Neuroprotective effect
Consumption of the curry leaves was thought to increase the number of antioxidants which protect the brain. These were found to be beneficial in the Alzheimer’s disease by protecting all the neurons from the oxidative damage.  The curry leaves are also found to be very beneficial in amnesia or memory loss, a common issue affecting the elderly people due to ageing.
7. Kills bacteria
Curry leaves have antibacterial properties. They are highly effective in countering bacterial infections caused by E.coli and staphylococcus.
8. Hepatoprotective effects
Curry leaves are very powerful antioxidants and also prevent the liver damage caused due to the oxidative stress. They protect our liver from various infections and also reduce inflammation. These leaves are found to be very effective in the treatment of the liver cirrhosis.
9. Excellent for our hair
Curry leaves are boiled with the coconut oil which makes the excellent hair tonic that prevents greying and also stimulates the hair growth. They strengthen the hair and prevent any hair loss. They are help in preventing dry scalp and dandruff.
10. Treatment of anaemia
Curry leaves are very rich in folic acid and iron which is important in improving the iron level in the body. This helps the patients suffering from Anaemia.
11. Good for our eyes
Curry leaves are very rich in vitamin A and so beneficial for the eyes. They help in maintaining very good eyesight and also prevent development of cataract.
12. Good for our skin
Curry leaves helps sooth the mild burns, bruise and eruptions on skin. They protect the skin from infection. Therefore the curry leaves are a constituent of soaps.
13. Good for oral health
Curry leaves create an environment in mouth which averts the growth of bacteria. They thus help in maintaining oral health and preventing oral diseases.
14. Helps in weight loss
Alkaloids in the curry leaf help maintain cholesterol the levels in the body.
The curry leaves act as the detoxifying agent, removing the toxins from the body and then preventing the deposition of fat. This also helps in weight loss.