Uses of leaf and its uses. and utility
can leaves be used to brush our teeth? (mango leaf)
Answers
Explanation:
Curry Leaves, that quintessential aromatic ingredient, found in the Indian households have innumerable health and therapeutic benefits. This tree being indigenous to India, Srilanka and many South east Asian countries is known by several vernacular names such as Kadi Patta or Meetha Neem in Hindi, Kariveppilai in Tamil, Karivepaaku in Tamil or Karivempu in Malayalam.
Derived from the Tamil word “Kari” meaning spicy, curry leaves are mentioned in ancient Tamil scriptures dating back to the 4th century AD for its amazing benefits and culinary significance.
Curry tree, being a sub-tropical tree growing to a height of 4-6 m and having a medium sized trunk goes by the botanical name Murraya
koenigii.
The aromatic curry leaves are seen in the form of pairs on the branches of the tree. The plant produces small white flowers which can pollinate themselves and it produces small, black, shiny semi-globose fruits with a single large seed. Though the fruits are fleshy and edible, neither the flower nor the fruits are used for culinary purposes.
Curry leaves
The leaves having an appearance similar to bay leaves but slightly smaller in size are also termed as Indian bay leaves. The aromatic scent of these leaves is due to the high content of essential volatile oils that get extracted through steam distillation method and this essential oil is used in healing skin disorders.
Curry leaves have a distinct bitter and pungent taste with acidic undertones. The leaves are not only sought after for their aromatic flavor in the foods, but also enhance the health benefits of the meal making it more appealing.
The leaves have found its way in many holistic treatments like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and traditional Chinese treatments for their medicinal properties in treating diabetes, diarrhea, gastro intestinal disorders etc. The extract from the curry leaves have an active constituent which is anti-diabetic in nature and hence are widely used for the treatment of diabetes. The paste from the dried grounded leaves also have anti-helminthic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which are potent against various infections and skin disorders.
In the primeval times, the curry leaf branches have played a significant role in good oral hygiene. The thin twigs or branches were used as a datun (i.e. natural brush) for cleaning the teeth, strengthening the teeth and gums and protecting them from harmful bacteria and air borne microbes. These days in modern ayurvedic treatments the powder of the leaves or the raw leaves are being used as tooth powder for preserving good oral health.
Curry leaves play a pivotal role in the field of weight loss. The leaves when eaten raw or consumed as juice, serves as a detox drink to cleanse body from within, burn fat, reduce bad cholesterol and enhance digestion. Taking curry leaves regularly is bound to show promising results.
Pluck 30-40 fresh curry leaves and add this magic drink to your daily regimen:
How to Make Curry Leaf Juice At Home:
Curry leaves Juice
Ingredients
30-40 freshly plucked curry leaves
10-15 dried mint leaves
3 cups of water
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp cinnamon powder
2 tbsp honey
Method
Boil the water in a heavy bottomed container.
Add the curry leaves, mint leaves and cinnamon powder to it and boil for a few minutes.
Put off the flame and strain the entire concoction to remove any impurities and hard particles.
Add a dash of lime juice and honey to it.
Pour the juice in a glass and sip while it’s still warm.
Nutritious Benefit of Curry Leaf juice
This potent juice known for its weight loss properties consists of several natural healthy ingredients:
Curry Leaves:
Packed with essential vitamins, carbohydrates, fibre and volatile oils, curry leaves play a vital role in controlling diabetes, treating heart problems, preventing infections and also providing beautiful hair and skin.