In this article, we will answer the question “Can you eat curry leaves?”, and how to use curry leaves.
Can you eat curry leaves?
Yes, you can eat curry leaves. Curry leaves and curry powder, both have immense health benefits and they are mostly employed to flavor Indian curry dishes.
You can’t find fresh curry leaves in your local grocery store, you can buy them online or at an Indian or world food market. Read on if you want to know the health benefits of curry leaves.
How to use curry leaves?
Sauteed in ghee: Sautee the curry leaves in clarified butter or ghee for 3-5 minutes or until fragrant. Pour the hot oil along with the leaves over a dal curry to enhance its flavor.
Make tadka: Tadka is an important flavor of Indian and Pakistani cuisine. To make tadka, you need to splutter some curry leaves, mustard seeds, and cumin (and any other favorite Indian spices) in ghee or another heat-stable oil. This tadka is then poured over another dish or the dish is incorporated into it.
Dry them: Leave the curry leaves at room temperature in an open container preferably a basket with pores. Let the leaves dry for 3-5 days. When fully dried, transfer the dried curry leaves into a vacuum-sealed bag. Crush the leaves before adding them to a dish.
Flavor oil with curry leaves: Sautee the curry leaves in oil and use this oil to glaze your fish or slather your flatbread with it.
Health benefits of curry leaves
Nutrition facts
Curry leaves have been used for decades in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of weight gain, blood pressure, indigestion, anemia, etc. Curry leaves are packed with vitamins and minerals like A, B, C, amino acids, calcium, fiber, protein, phosphorous, and iron.
Relives morning sickness
Crush the fresh curry leaves and extract their juice. Mix it with 1 tsp of lime juice. Add a dash of jaggery as a sweetener. Use daily to relieve morning sickness and promote digestive secretions.
Cures diarrhea
If you are afflicted with diarrhea, add curry leaves to your diet. Curry leaves have excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of Carbazole alkaloids that combat the bacteria responsible for an upset stomach.
Heals wounds
The alkaloids present in curry leaves have remarkable healing properties. Blend the curry leaves with some water to make a thick paste and apply to your wounds, cuts, boils, or burns for relief and healing.
Prevents anemia
Curry leaves are packed with iron and folic acid. Folic acid promotes the absorption of iron from your body. This significantly reduces your risk of developing anemia due to iron deficiency.
Aids weight loss
Curry leaves promote weight loss by burning fat and lowering blood cholesterol. Curry leaves also help detoxify your blood. For weight loss, you can either make curry leaf tea or simply chew them.
Prevents diabetes
Curry leaves have been found to increase insulin production and protect the pancreas from free radical damage. Curry leaves contain just the right mineral combination of iron, zinc, and copper that help stimulate the pancreas and prevent diabetes.
Promotes healthy vision
Curry leaves are a rich source of Vitamin A. Carotenoids are the precursors of Vitamin A and both of these substances are needed to maintain a healthy vision.
Anti-cancer properties
According to studies, the carbazole alkaloids present in curry leaves have anti-cancer properties. This makes the curry leaves effective against colorectal cancer, leukemia, and prostate cancer.
Haircare
Mix dry curry leaf powder with your hair oil and massage it into your scalp. This helps strengthen hair roots, stimulate hair growth and prevent greying of hair.
Neuroprotective properties
Studies have shown that curry leaves are effective against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Besides, curry leaves are linked with improved memory and a reduced risk of dementia in rats.
Prevents heart diseases
Curry leaves reduce the risk of heart diseases by lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This property may be attributed to the presence of an alkaloid called mahanimbine, in the curry leaves.
What is the difference between curry leaves and curry powder?
Curry leaves are grown on a plant. It could be Murraya koenigii or the Mediterranean curry leaf plant, Helichrysum italicum. On the other hand, curry powder is a spice mix used to flavor Indian dishes.
The base ingredients are coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne. The origins of curry leaves lie in South India and Sri Lanka. Curry powder is the invention of the British to make Indian dishes.
Other FAQs about Curry that you may be interested in.
Is Curry supposed to be watery?
How can I make my Thai curry more flavorful?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Can you eat curry leaves?”, and how to use curry leaves.
