The curry leaf comes from a tree which grows in many parts of Asia and India. It doesn’t come from the curry plant as is a popular belief and is not the flavouring for curry powder. It is considered as a seasoning leaf and not part of other spices that are used in curry powder. There are a number of curry leaf remedies and in traditional medicine systems in the peninsular area of India it is considered an essential ingredient. The systems of Ayurveda, Unani and others, cure disorders such as piles and relieve the symptoms of fever using the curry leaf. It is also used for leucoderma or vitiligo and different blood disorders. It is used in India for stomach upsets, nausea, skin irritation and poisonous bites.
Other curry leaf remedies are in the use of its oil as a repellent for insects and to help cure common skin disorders of tropical areas. Many traditional remedies exist where the curry leaf is used for daily discomforts. Where an individual may suffer from constipation, using a spoonful of honey incorporated with the water from curry leaves that have been soaked in hot water for several hours, then taken as a drink, helps to ease the bowel, making stool motions easier. Where someone may be suffering from nausea, a tea made from curry leaves is said to help. The nausea of pregnancy is also treated with the leaf and this is done by mixing two teaspoons of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of curry leaf juice and 1 teaspoon of sugar and drinking it each morning.
Several other curry leaf remedies exist and one is for diarrhoea. This remedy is said to need a strong stomach, as the patient is required to take fresh curry leaves and chew on them, where it is said to definitely relieve this malady. Cow’s milk and curry leaves are boiled together for use as a skin treatment and this remedy is used for heat rash or a skin infection. The leaves can be ground and made into a paste with turmeric and is used to treat acne. This remedy is applied to the infected skin over several days and is said to clear up the disorder leaving the skin clear and glowing. The leaves are also used as a hair colorant when they are boiled with coconut oil, this remedy is said to cause minimal damage while improving thinning or grey hair. Leaves mixed with fenugreek and China Rose and made into a paste then applied on the hair which is said to keep it long, gleaming and black.