Essential oils are extracted from different parts of a plant, namely the bark, leaves, seeds or flowers. Due to their many health benefits, essential oils such as curry leaf oil have become a go-to natural remedy for various health reasons, including to boost vision and combat signs of aging.
What Is Curry Leaf Oil?
With its origins in India, the curry tree is now cultivated in various other countries such as Australia, Ceylon, Nigeria and China. Curry leaves are natural flavoring agents that are commonly used for culinary purposes.
While the curry tree has numerous medicinal properties, its essential oil also brings various health benefits to the mind and body. Curry leaves essential oil is extracted from the leaves through the process of steam distillation.
Uses of Curry Leaf Oil
Curry leaf oil blends with other essential oils such as cinnamon, lemon, cardamom, black pepper, asafetida and Ajwain oil. It is an excellent household ingredient that can be used in our daily lives.
Curry leaf oil is used in the following ways:
- As an insecticide
- To treat gastrointestinal problems
- In aromatherapy
- As an antiseptic to heal burns, cuts and wounds
- In hair conditioners
- As an antiemetic to reduce nausea
The health benefits of curry leaf oil are attributed to its carminative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, stimulant, anti-carcinogenic, stomachic, appetizing, detoxifying, anti-microbial, lipolytic and aphrodisiac properties.
Benefits of Curry Leaf Oil
Some of the popular health benefits include:
1. Maintains oral health
Curry leaf oil is rich in zinc, calcium, folic acid and vitamin C. These vitamins and minerals help strengthen the teeth and gums.
Since curry leaves oil also possess anti-microbial properties, it serves as an excellent solution to prevents cavities, plaque and gum infections.
2. Treat diabetes
Curry leaf oil contains hypoglycemic properties that slow down the breaking of glucose into the bloodstream. This property of curry leaf oil helps control blood glucose levels in the body and treat diabetes mellitus.
3. Reduces inflammation
An excellent detoxing agent, curry leaf oil is also a depurative substance. It helps remove harmful toxins from the body, lowers water retention and eliminates excess salt and uric acid from the body.
Curry leaf oil also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the surrounding tissues.
4. Improves eyesight
One of the best remedies to improve vision is curry leaf oil. Curry leaf oil is a rich source of vitamin A that is important for the retina in the eye to form rhodopsin, which is responsible for vision.
Curry leaf oil is also a remedy for cataract where it slows down cataract formation in the eye.
5. Promotes skin health
Our skin is constantly exposed to the harsh climate, pollution and other external factors that can cause a lot of harm if not taken care of. The skin is delicate and is prone to many infections and signs of aging.
Curry leaves contain antimicrobial and anti-aging properties that help fight skin infections and signs of aging. It also helps counteract infections such as ringworms, acne, athlete’s foot, pimples and boils.
6. Reduces bad cholesterol
Curry leaf oil contains a high concentration of carbazole alkaloids, which promote the metabolism of fats and fatty acids in the body. It also reduces bad cholesterol and obesity that is associated with it.
7. Maintains digestive health
Curry leaf oil is a carminative, stomachic, appetizing, stimulant, antiemetic and anti-dysenteric substance. It increases the secretion of digestive enzymes and aids digestion.
Due to its purgative properties, curry leaf oil also regulates bowel movements. It is an effective remedy oil to treat digestion-related problems such as constipation, diarrhea, piles, nausea and vomiting.
8. Promotes hair growth
Curry leaf oil is a rich source of Vitamin A, B, C, E, minerals and iron, which makes it an excellent tonic for the hair. It also contains anti-oxidant properties that prevent premature greying and strengthen the hair follicles from the root to tips.
Side Effects of Curry Leaf Oil
Curry leaf oil has no reported side effects and is safe to use.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to refrain from using curry leaf oil.
- Those who have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies must do a patch test before using curry leaf oil.
