As I was leaving my office today, I passed through one of my potted curry plants and immediately felt a pull to retrace my steps towards the plantβs direction. On getting closer to the plant, I picked two leaves of it, gently rolled and squeezed them between my thumb and index fingers, inhaled and savored the delightful aroma. Instantly the message became clear to me. I should put up a small write-up on this plant generally known as curry plant.
So much healing plants are at our beck and call. I am especially pleased in knowing that so many of these healing plants are actually herbs as well as foods (especially in the kingdom of vegetables and spices).
First, lets make it clear that we are not talking about a tree known as curry tree. We are not also talking of that mixed, orange-colored aromatic condiment generally called curry powder by marketers of food condiments. We are concerned with that aromatic plant that is a specie of Ocimum. The plant we are talking about is not Efirin/Nchuanwu/Basil/Scent leaf (Ocimum grattisimum) but OCIMUM CANUM.
Whenever it is an item in tomatoes sauce you just canβt miss it.
The following are a few of its health benefits.
1. Intake of herbal tea prepared from curry leaves as well as topical application of curry leaves juice on the breast helps a lot of women that suffer from mastitis (breast tissue inflammation) and mastalgia (pain in the breast) to overcome their condition.
2. Because of its ability to speed up or increase body’metabolism, Curry leaves is useful in the treatment of obesity. It actually increases body heat (we say it possesses thermogenic property.)
3. Because it is a cardiotonic plant, it supports the heart muscles, tones the heart and helps to prevent heart diseases.
4. Just chewing few leaves of curry promotes the expulsion of trapped gases in the intestinal tract. It promotes flatulence and relieves colic pain.
5. Now and then, we need plants that purify our blood stream, such plants are said to have depurative action. They truly bring about the elimination of blood impurities and ultimately make provision for our cells, tissues and systems to be bathed with pure stream of blood. A good example of plants in this category is Curry plant.
6. Regular intake of Curry leaves’ tea is one of the ways to curb as well as decimate intestinal parasites such as worms.
7. Are you looking for a safe medicinal plant to take periodically to promote the health of your kidneys, urinary bladder and urethra? Curry leaves is the answer. It corrects conditions such as proteinuria (excess protein in the urine), colored urine, strong smelling and offensive urine, foamy urine and high uric acid in the urine.
8. The diabetic patients are not left out, it is an additional plant that helps stabilize blood glucose level.
9. Regular intake of Curry leaves water extract is beneficial to people who always complain of general body aches and pain.
π Did you learn any new thing? If so, I am DE-lighted. Meaning that I am actually the one aglow with light and happiness. God is Great.
Prof. Gilbert Ezengige FAIMP
Please note that medicinal plants are best administered by naturopaths or medical herbalists.
