MURRAYA KOENIGII

Common name: Curry Leaf • Hindi: Kari patta करी पत्ता • Marathi: Kudianim • Tamil: கரிவேப்பிலை Karivepillai • Malayalam: Kareapela • Telugu: karepaku, karepeku, kari-vepa-chettu • Kannada: gandhabevu, kari-bevinagida • Bengali: Barsunga • Oriya: lesunadando • Assamese: Bishahari, Narasingha • Mizo: Arpatil • Sanskrit: Alakavhaya, Chhardighna, गिरिनिम्ब Girinimba, Kadarya

Botanical name: Bergera koenigii    

Family: Rutaceae (Citrus family)

Synonyms: Murraya koenigii, Chalcas koenigii

Geographical distribution

The plant occurs throughout India, in damp and hot parts and also cultivated in houses and gardens.

Introduction: Curry Leaf tree is a small or medium sized tree, most famous for its aromatic leaves that provide curry spice. Curry leaves are extensively used in Southern India and Sri Lanka (and are absolutely necessary for the authentic flavour), but are also of some importance in Northern India. It is a small tree, growing 4-6 m tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm diameter. The leaves are pinnate, with 11-21 leaflets, each leaflet 2-4 cm long and 1-2 cm broad. They are highly aromatic. The flowers are small white, and fragrant. The small black, shiny berries are edible, but their seeds are poisonous. Together with South Indian immigrants, curry leaves reached Malaysia, South Africa and Réunion island. When cooking, the leaves are generally used fresh off of the tree. Outside the Indian sphere of influence, they are rarely found. The yellow "curry powder" that is common in Western countries is actually not curry at all, but a mix of spices intended to mimic the true curry flavor. The yellow color comes from turmeric root.

Medicinal uses: information Leaves are digestive, tonic, stimulant, rich in vitamin A and calcium. Leaves are also used for diarrhoea, dysentry and checking vomitting. Bark-paste is antisceptic, applied to skin eruptions. Root extract is taken for relief from renal pain.

Chemical composition

The leaves contain an essential oil and glucoside-koeinigin.

Therapeutic uses

The leaves are useful in dysentery, diarrhoea, diabetes and to check vomiting. The bark and roots are stimulants.

Folk medicinal uses

The leaves are eaten to check sugar in blood (to cure diabetes). In case of fever a decoction of the leaves is given with bitters. A poultice of the leaves is applied over eruptions and bruises.

Flowers and Fruits : Summer season