Curry Leaves- Its Benefits, Nutritional Facts And Recipes

Whether tempering (tadka) your favourite breakfast or chutney, curry leaves are one of the most tempting and aromatic culinary spices widely used in Indian cooking, it is a crucial ingredient in dishes like rasam, sambhar, and coconut chutney. But did you know curry leaves have a plethora of health benefits? Curry leaves are rich in vitamins like C, E, and B. They contain antioxidants such as pinene, lutein, etc. and are enriched with folic acid, which helps maintain the body's red blood cell count.

Table Of Contents

1. Benefits Of Curry Leaves

2. Try These No-Fuss Recipes Using Curry Leaves

3. The Final Say

4. FAQs

Benefits Of Curry Leaves

1. Helps In Digestion

Curry leaves can cure stomach ailments like constipation, dysentery, etc. Add this herb to your diet and cure stomach ailments. Chew curry leaves on an empty stomach or adds them to your diet.

2. Prevents Hair Loss

Curry leaves are instrumental in preventing hair loss and dandruff. They are high in beta-carotene and amino acids. They strengthen your locks and dampen the scalp hair.

3. Eases The Pain 

Curry leaves are helpful in soothing mild burns or scratches and protect skin from infection by applying its paste. They have antiseptic properties which prevent infection.

4.  Improves Eyesight

Curry leaves are enriched with Vitamin A, which improves eyesight. They cure eye disorders like vision loss. Incorporate curry leaves in your diet, or consume them as it is.

5. Aids In Weight Loss

Chewing curry leaves removes harmful toxins from the body and prevents obesity. Hence, these curry leaves detoxify your body and aid fat accumulation, which helps in weight loss. Add curry leaves to your diet, or chew them as it is.

6. Combats Infection

Curry leaves paste helps in healing wounds, skin infections and bruises. The presence of Carbazole Alkaloid heals cuts and bruises.

7. Improves Memory

Eating curry leaves improves the functioning of the brain as well as memory. It aids in impaired memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Try These No-Fuss Recipes Using Curry Leaves

1. Lemon Rice

It is a south Indian recipe made with boiled rice and lemon juice. It makes a perfect meal for lunch or a light dinner. The addition of curry leaves and groundnuts enhances the flavour of the dish.

Ingredients

• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp Hing
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp peanuts
• 2  tbsp oil
• 1 cup cooked basmati rice
• 1 tsp chana dal
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 1 tsp ginger
• 4-5 curry leaves

Method

• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
• Add hing, curry leaves, ginger, red chilli, chana dal and urad dal. Saute them well.
• When the seeds begin to crackle, add peanuts, turmeric powder and salt.
• Now mix boiled rice and squeeze lemon juice in it.
• Add salt and mix everything well.
• Serve hot.

2. Rasam

It is an authentic recipe with tamarind, tomatoes, and warm spices. It goes perfectly well with rice.

Ingredients

• Soak 1 Lemon sized tamarind 
• 3 Tsp cumin seeds
• 2 Tsp whole black pepper
• 2-3 crushed garlic
• 1 chopped tomato
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1tbsp salt 
• 100 gm tur dal
• 4-5 curry leaves

Method 

• Soak 1 Lemon sized tamarind in half a cup of water and squeeze the soaked tamarind to a pulp and then sieve it.
• Add ghee, hing, 2-3 dry red chillies, and curry leaves in a pan.
• Add ½ cup of chopped tomatoes. Saute until the tomatoes soften.
• Then, add the semi-crushed spices like pepper, turmeric powder, and cumin powder.
• Now add the soaked tamarind with water and salt.
• Let the tamarind boil for a couple of minutes, and then add coriander leaves.
• Serve it hot with vada or rice.

3. Curd Rice 

It is a recipe of curd and rice tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies. This recipe is cool and refreshing and soothes your stomach.

Ingredients

• 1 cup overcooked white rice
• ½ cup yoghurt
• 1tbsp mustard seeds
• 2tbsp green chillies
• 1tsp salt
• 1tsp hing
•  4-5 chopped curry leaves

Method

• Mix yoghurt and rice.
• Then, add green chillies, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.
• Serve it chilled. 

4. Sambhar

Sambhar is a South Indian dish with lentils, tamarind, and herbs. This dish makes a perfect lunch and goes well with rice.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp chana dal
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 1 tsp cumin seeds for tempering
• 1 tsp mustard seeds for tempering
• 1 tsp sambhar powder
• Half-cut tomato
• ½ cup tur dal
• Soak tamarind in hot water
• 4-5 curry leaves

Method

• Let the mustard seeds crackle in the hot pan, then add methi dana, khadi mirch and any vegetable of your choice. 
• After that, add tamarind with water and let it boil for a few minutes. 
• Add tur dal, salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and sambhar powder. 
• Serve it with rice. 

The Final Say

Curry leaves are not only known for their aroma but also have a plethora of health benefits and medicinal properties. Almost in every other house in India, people use curry leaves for their aroma and nutritional benefits. Adding curry leaves enhances the food's taste and adds a hue to the dish.

FAQs

1. What are the adverse effects of curry leaves?

Curry leaves have no side effects, but excess consumption can lead to stomach ailments like gastric problems, nausea, etc.

2. Can curry leaves cure skin reactions?

Applying the paste of curry leaves aids in healing inflammation and scars. It gives glowy skin and contains Vitamin A and C, which keeps your skin healthy.

3. How do curry leaves help in cutting fat?

Chewing curry leaves removes harmful toxins from the body. It helps in burning excess belly fat, which leads to weight loss.

4. How do curry leaves prevent hair loss?

Curry leaves are enriched with antioxidants. These antioxidants moisturise the scalp and prevent your hair from premature hair greying.

5. Can curry leaves increase haemoglobin levels?

Curry leaves are known to increase haemoglobin levels. Curry leaves are enriched with iron and reduce the chances of getting infections.

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