Curry leavesFive amazing uses and attributes.

culled from:http://pulse.ng

Curry leaves have been found to be an amazing and nutritious replacement for pumpkin leaf otherwise known as ugu. Although it isn’t as popular as most vegetables used in cooking, there are many reasons why curry leaves re better than the normal vegetables used in cooking.

Keeps anaemia at bay:  Curry leaves have been found to be a rich source of iron and folic acid.  Anaemia is the lack of iron in one’s body and also the body’s inability to use it. Folic acid is mainly responsible for carrying and helping the body absorb iron.  Curry leaves are a rich source of both compounds and therefore a one stop remedy.

Protects your liver from damage: Folks who drink heavily, eat a lot of fish or indulge in other activities that could be damaging  your liver, then curry leaves should be an integral part of every meal.. A study published in Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and  Clinical Research found that curry leaves were highly effective in protecting the liver from oxidative stress that usually affects it when one  ingests  harmful substances like mercury (which can be found in fish), alcohol and other environmental factors. Curry leaves have highly effective anti-oxidative properties – due to the high amount of kaempferol  it contains. This combined with vitamin A and C, also found in the leaves not only protects the liver but also stimulates it to work more efficiently.

Lowers cholesterol and protects you: A study published in the Journal of Chinese Medicine found that curry leaves have properties that can help in lowering one’s blood cholesterol levels.  Curry leaves are packed with anti-oxidants that prevent the oxidation of cholesterol that forms LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). This in turn helps in increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body and protects your body from deadly illnesses like heart disease.

Helps with digestion while strengthening the organs of the stomach: Curry leaves are known to prevent gas and help greatly in digestion. Once ingested, it helps the stomach digest food fast and well while flushing out the rest. It is believed that curry leaves have mild laxative properties that not only help the stomach get rid of unwanted waste, it also rids the body of toxic waste.

Reduces congestion in the chest and nose: From  wet coughs to chest congestion, curry leaves are a very effective home remedy for the treatment of these symptoms. Packed with vitamin C, A and compounds such as kaempferol that is a very potent anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, decongestant and anti-oxidative agent, curry leaves can help loosen up and release congested mucous.