Curry leaves, sometimes referred to as Kadi Patta, are the foundation of Indian food and are regarded as having positive health and Vastu effects. Let’s learn more about this popular herb! This blog is about Curry Leaves: How To Grow, Health Benefits, Vastu And Everything You Need To Know.
Curry leaves give a subtle, zesty taste to any dish. They are an essential fragrant component in practically every Indian household. This evergreen shrub is indigenous to a number of Southeast Asian nations, including India and Sri Lanka. Numerous colloquial names for this medicinal herb exist, such as Meetha Neem and Kadi Patta in Hindi, Karivempu in Malayalam, and Kariveppilai in Tamil.
Curry leaves are highly prized for their astounding Vastu benefits, as well as their medical and nutritional qualities and cosmetic applications. Instead of going to the grocery store, picture having them in your backyard garden and picking them up first thing in the morning to get the packed curry leaves. Here, we’re discussing curry leaf types, Vastu, health benefits, and how to grow them at home. Read on:
A Quick Overview on Curry Leaves
The Curry Leaves tree, a subtropical tree, has a medium-sized trunk and can reach a height of 4-6 meters. Curry leaves, scientifically known as Murraya koenigii, are paired leaves that cling to tree branches. The shrub bears lustrous, semi-globose fruits with a huge seed and lovely white blooms. Nevertheless, neither the fruit nor the flower is used in cooking.
Curry leaves, often called Indian bay leaves, are similar to bay leaves but slightly smaller in size. The leaves have a fragrant scent because of their high concentration of essential volatile oils. The steam distillation procedure is used to extract the essential oils, which are then utilized to treat skin conditions.
The taste of the leaves is spicy and slightly harsh. They are utilized to enhance the health benefits of the foods and make them more delicious, in addition to giving them a fragrant flavor.
The fragrant plant plays a major role in a number of holistic therapies, including Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Curry Leaves Plant: Key Facts
Species Name | Curry Leaves |
Botanical Name | Murraya koenigii |
Family Name | Rutaceae |
Height | 6-20 Feet |
Ideal Time To Grow | Spring And Summer |
Benefits | Used as a Culinary IngredientReduces StressHeals WoundsEffective in Digestion ProblemsPromotes Eye Sight |
Range Of Distribution | India And Some Parts Of Australia |
Maintenance | Planted In Well-Draining SoilRequires Medium WateringNeeds Nitrogen-Rich Fertiliser |
Types of Curry Leaves
Curry Leaves grow in three different types:
The Regular: Curry leaves of the standard variety don’t smell. It is tall and grows rather quickly. They are readily available at supermarket stores.
The dwarf: Although having lengthy leaves, the dwarf variety is low in stature. They spread out more but don’t get very tall. There is minimal or no scent to these leaves. Furthermore, some dwarfs are not employed in food preparation. The reason is that these leaves are not as well-known in the culinary world as herbs.
The Gamthi: With thick leaves, the Gamthi is a small curry leaf tree. These leaves have the strongest scent and grow extremely slowly. The plant also has small leaves but grows rather tall.
How to Grow Curry Leaves Plant
These are the basic requirements to grow a curry leaves plant successfully:
When to Plant A Curry Leaf Plant
Early spring is the ideal time of year to establish curry leaf trees. When growing it in the winter, gardeners should put it in a container. When it begins to grow, plant it in a 5-gallon container and increase its size.
Location
The tree grows best in direct sunlight. But avoid leaving it out in the intense afternoon sun for an extended period while it is still growing. Once it’s confirmed, there’s no reason to fear.
Soil
Plants with curry leaves can grow in any kind of soil. For optimal growth, plant it in a healthy medium with well-draining soil.
Water
When the plant is growing, give it regular irrigation. Water it after three to four months when the topsoil starts to dry out. Once the plant reaches maturity, a little watering is required.
How to Care for Curry Leaves Plant
The plant develops slowly at first and can reach a height of 6 to 10 years in a single year. Give it some time to grow as a result.
Fertiliser
The curry leaf plant doesn’t need to be fertilized frequently. In a month or two, fertilize it with a high nitrogen content to encourage growth. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, avoid fertilizing it.
Pruning
Prune the plant regularly to promote fresh foliage growth. Pick out the dead leaves and branches of the place for its maintenance.
Pests and Diseases
The curry repels many insect leaves’ aromas. In addition, several pests hinder the growth of plants. Aphids, scales, psyllids, and mealybugs are a few of these.
Harvesting
The curry leaf plant is very simple to harvest. You can remove the leaves from the plant once it has developed. You can use these aromatic leaves to give soups and stews more flavor.
Health Benefits of Curry Leaves
Curry leaves have several health benefits. Here, we’ve listed a few:
- Curry leaves can lower blood levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Antioxidants, which are abundant in these leaves, help keep us healthy by eliminating poisons from our bodies.
- Curry leaves keep our gums healthy and stop bacteria from forming within our mouths, which contributes to good dental hygiene.
- The leaves have a lot of vitamin A, which helps to improve vision.
- This fragrant herb relieves rashes, boils, cuts, and minor burns. All you have to do is apply a paste to the area that is impacted.
- Because curry leaves include folic acid and iron, they help prevent anemia. This aids in preserving the body’s red blood cell count.
- Curry leaf extracts prevent diabetes. Because they include minerals like iron, zinc, and copper, they aid in lowering blood sugar levels.
- Curry leaves have antibacterial properties that aid in the body’s defense against various infections.
- These leaves smell delicious and are powerful antioxidants. When combined with vitamins A and C, the leaves become more effective.
- Curry leaves ease nausea and morning sickness.
- The herb’s calming scent eases tense muscles and lowers tension levels all around.
Vastu for Curry Leaves Plant
The west is thought to be the direction of the moon in Vastu Shastra. As a result, planting the curry leaf plant in this direction is lucky. Furthermore, it is believed that having a curry leaf plant inside your house or in your garden will drive out bad energy and bring prosperity, luck, and happiness into your household.
Summing Up: Curry Leaves Tree
In practically every home in the southern, western, and central regions of India, curry leaves are a common plant. This flavorful, aromatic plant is rich in nutrients and offers a host of health advantages. These leaves do taste a little bitter at first, but as one gets used to them, they’ll adore them.
Plant the tree in the comfort of your own home to reap the full range of health benefits and aesthetic improvements.
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