A Review on the Culinary Uses and Therapeutic Properties of Murraya Koenigii

Journal of Advancement in Pharmacognosy Volume 1 Issue 1 A Review on the Culinary Uses and Therapeutic Properties of Murraya koenigii

Amit Chaudhary M.D. (Medicine), Lucknow University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. ______ABSTRACT The leaves usually go by the name "curry leaves", though they are also called "sweet neem leaves." It is a vital content of curries in South India, where without curry leaves, curry seems to be tasteless. The Kannada name means "black neem", since the appearance of the leaves is similar to the distinct bitter neem tree. It is a very precious product of cosmetic industries, medicinal purposes and for flavour in food. So, the farming of Curry leaves plants is very indispensable in the view point of well being of industries as well as farmers. The aromatic leaves of this plant are used to flavor many Indian dishes much like bay leaves, especially in curries with fish or coconut milk. The innovative Indian word "Kari" refers to the sauce of these piquant dishes, hence the name curry leaf. Curry leaves are extensively used in industries for its best medicinal quality as an anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti- inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-hypercholesterolemic etc. and preparing cosmetics and also for flavor in eatable, so there is need to grow more and more curry leaves. In this farmers can also improves their financial status.

Keywords: Curry leaves, Therapeutic properties, culinary uses, hepatoprotective, anti- hypercholesterolemic. ______INTRODUCTION bismahanine, murrayanine, murrayafoline- Kari (or curry) leaf (called kariveppilai in A, bi-koeniquinone-A, bismurrayaquinone, Tamil) is grown all over India and has mukoenine-A, mukoenine-B, mukoenine- been used for centuries in South India and C, murrastifoline, Murrayazolinol, Sri Lanka as a flavoring for curries, murrayacine, murrayazolidine, chutneys, vegetables, and beverages. South murrayazoline, mahanimbine, girinimbine, Indian traders introduced it into Malaysia, koenioline, xynthyletin, koenigine- Burma, and Singapore. When the British Quinone A and koenigine-Quinone B for were in India, they called it curry leaf, therapeutic purpose by folk people[2–5]. naming it after the seasoned sauce (called Many medicines such as digitalis, kari in Tamil) that it was added to. India is vinblastine, aspirin and quinine has plant frequently known by enormous as a source of origin for example foxglove biodiversity of medicinal plants. Among (Digitalis purpurea), willow bark (Salix them Murraya koenigii have a lots of spp.), quinine bark (Cinchona officinalis). bioactive principles due to which plant has been proven as the medicinally important For therapeutic or prophylactic purposes plant but least or no attention received by medicinal plant are used. For the the scientist[1]. Murraya koenigii is therapeutic properties of medicinal plants proven as the natural medicinal presence of secondary metabolites plays a plant. There are different forms very important role such as alkaloids, of Murraya koenigii due to which they are flavonoids, terpinoids, vitamins, tannins found as the useful plant such as extract, etc., these all are the secondary essential oil, or directly used due to the metabolites of the plant as active presence of following active constituent constituent[6]. These all secondary CR Journals (Page 1–8) 2020. All Rights Reserved Page 1

Journal of Advancement in Pharmacognosy Volume 1 Issue 1 metabolites of plant physiologically affect (Russian), karapincha (Singhalese), hojas the body at different stages of body de curry (Spanish), bizari (Swahili), development and make the body disease bignay (Tagalog), kariveppilai (Tamil), free. The plant Murraya koenigiibelonging karepeku (Telegu), bai karee (Thai), and la to the family Rutaceae is largely growing cari (Vietnamese)[3,4]. plant throughout the spring, summer and in rain fall season in every part of the tropical Spice Description region up to the height of 1500 to 1655m Kari leaf is very fragrant when used fresh, from sea level[6,7]. It is also known as but it loses its flavor intensity when dried. Curry Leaf English, Mitha Neem in Hindi, The fresh or dried leaf is used whole, and Karuveppilei in Tamilnadu and crushed, and chopped. Properties: the fresh Surabhinimba in Sanskrit[2]. leaf has a spicy, strong piney-lemony aroma, and a slightly tangerine peel-like Botanical Name: Murraya koenigii taste[5]. Family: Rutaceae (Citrus family) Hardiness ORIGIN It can be grown outside in pots during the The curry leaf is native to India and is hottest part of summer in a sheltered place found nearly everywhere in the Indian but needs heated protection for the rest of subcontinent. It is also found in Srilanka the year. The most flavorful leaves are and many parts of south East Asia produced when the plants are grown in hot including Indonesia, Burma, Thailand, etc. and dry conditions[5].

In India in the regions from the Ravi to Propagation Sikkim and Assam, besides Bengal, Some of the twigs which are not very Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, floppy and green nor very hard and woody Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, (this stage is called semi-ripe), and remove curry leaves can be seen in abundance[3]. most of their lower leaves. Cut the stem cleanly at a node, and push the cutting a Origin and Varieties few centimetres into a 50/50 mix of Indigenous to India and cultivated all over potting compost and aquarium gravel, with India, including the Himalayas, Sri Lanka, about 3 leaves above the surface. Put the Southeast Asia, and the United States cuttings in a propagator or covered pot, in (California and Florida)[3]. a warm light place out of direct sunlight. Rooting will take about 3 weeks. Other Names Alternatively, if you find some fresh curry Curry leaf. It is also called barsunga leaves with ripe seeds on you can grow (Bengali), pindosin (Burmese), gai leu these: they require about 20°C to yiph (Cantonese), karry blad (Danish), germinate and may take a long time to kerriebladerer (Dutch), feuilles de curry germinate[5]. (French), curryblatter (German), kari patta, meetha neem (Hindi), aley kari (Hebrew), Cultivation curry levelek (Hungarian), fogli di cari The curry leaf plant is planted just before (Italian), daun kari (Indonesian/ the arrival of the monsoon in May. It is Malaysian), kore rihu (Japanese), karibue cultivated using propagation method. The (Kannada), khibe (Laotinan), kareapela plants mature after fifteen months after (Malayalam), kadhi limbu (Marathi), which the leaves are harvested. Fully karriblader (Norwegian), folhas de caril grown curry tree can yield nearly 100 k.g (Portuguese), bowala (Punjabi), listya karri of leaves each year. Established plants

Journal of Advancement in Pharmacognosy Volume 1 Issue 1 need a sunny, well-drained place. They certain zest to yogurt-based salad dressings may easily outgrow any space you have and vegetable dishes, such as fried for it. As the plants grow, keep trimming cabbage, lentils, beans, okra, or eggplant. them regularly to maintain a supply of It is usually removed before the food is young leaves for cooking. Water regularly eaten. Kari leaf also provides a distinct and feed during the growing season. In spicy flavor to cold dishes and buttermilk. winter, keep the pot in a warm, frost-free It gives a more intense flavor and place (minimum temperature 12°C.) In crunchiness when it is toasted in oil or early April, soak the pot, repot if needed, ghee, and this mixture is then added to and move the plants to a warm light place many vegetarian foods. Sometimes it is (around 18-20°C)[5]. toasted, ground, or crushed to season or garnish soups, sambars, and curries. Kari Pests leaf can be kept frozen or refrigerated in a Usually healthy. Watching out for scale plastic bag for about two weeks. Freezing insects keep the same plants for a long better retains its flavor, but its color time[6]. changes to black. To retain its fresh flavor, it is best not to remove the leaves from its Chemical Components branches until ready to use. Spice Blends: The essential oils vary based on different curry blends, sambar podi, rasam podi, varieties. The fresh leaf has about 0.5% to chutney blends, and fish curry blends[8]. 2.5% essential oil, mostly monoterpenes. There is a gradual decrease in volatile BENEFITS OF CURRY LEAVES[9] content with advancing maturity so fresh Packed with a multitude of nutrients like leaves have more volatiles than the older carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, phosphorous, leaves. The essential oils mainly consist of iron, magnesium, zinc, multi vitamins and sabinene (9% to 34%), α-pinene (5% to flavonoids, curry leaves are an arcade of 27%) and dipentene (6% to 16%) with β- health benefits. It is extensively used in the caryophyllene (8% to 20%), β-gurjunene, treatment of anemia, diabetes, indigestion, β-elemene, β-phellandrene, limonene, β obesity, kidney problems, hair and skin thujene, and bisbolene. Curry leaf has a problems. good amount of vitamin A (beta-carotene 1. High on Fiber: Curry leaves are an is 12,600 IU/100 gm), with calcium (810 excellent source of fiber. It makes mg/100 gm), phosphorus (600 mg/100 better our digestive health and regular gm), iron (3.1 mg/100gm), vitamin C (4 bowel movements. It is useful in mg/100gm), and fiber (6.1%). It also has treating diarrhea and nausea and also high levels of oxalates (1.35%)[7]. controls the blood glucose levels in the body. Culinary Uses 2. Loaded with Proteins: Curry leaves It is an essential spice in South Indian, Sri have a high concentration of proteins Lankan, and Malaysian curries, dals, which are considered to be the building samosas, dosai fillings, chutneys, snacks, blocks of the body. It is essential for sambars, soups, breads, and vegetables. the proper growth and development of Kari leaf is popularly used in South Indian the body and strengthens our immune vegetarian and fish dishes and Sri Lankan system. meat and chicken curries. Kari leaves par 3. Powerhouse of Calcium: Calcium is well with mustard seeds, turmeric, ghee, broadly known for its importance in cumin, coriander, fenugreek, dals, ginger, improving bone health. Being a power garlic, tomatoes, and yogurt. It provides a house of calcium, curry leaves are

Journal of Advancement in Pharmacognosy Volume 1 Issue 1 effective for strengthening the teeth Attributed Therapeutic Properties and bones and preventing diseases like The leaves, root, and bark are used as osteoporosis and osteomalacia. medicinal aids in India. The leaves are 4. Rich in Phosphorus: Being one of the used to help blood circulation and most important nutrients in curry menstrual problems. The fresh leaves are leaves, phosphorus helps in cleansing taken to cure dysentery, and an infusion the kidneys. It preserves normal heart made of roasted leaves stops vomiting. beat, lessen painful muscle spasm after exercise and also strengthens the teeth It is also recommended for relieving and bones. At the cellular level, kidney pains. Recent studies have shown phosphorus is used for the growth and that it has a hypoglycemic action, thereby repair of cells and tissues. a possible treatment for diabetes, as well 5. Abundance of Essential Oils: Apart as found to prevent formation of free from the minerals and vitamins, curry radicals. It is shown to prevent rancidity of leaves are a source of power to a ghee (or clarified butter). Biological number of volatile essential oils like α- activity of Murraya koenigii are reported pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, α-terpinene which included the following these etc. These essential oils acquire anti- activities are studied on the following the inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti- crude extracts which are as follow in diabetic, anti-dysenteric, carminative the Murraya koenigii has been mentioned and digestive properties which are in the traditional medicinal system in particularly beneficial for the hair, skin Ayurveda different studies were performed and oral health. It is also effective on the Bark, root, leaves, fruit and fruit against hyperglycemia, high pulp of Murraya koenigii (Table 4)[10– cholesterol and aids in digestion. 13].

Table 4. Pharmacological Use of Murraya koenigii[10–13].

S.No Uses Chemical Constituent Used Pharmacological Action On Koenimbidine, Murrayacine, Decreases Oxidative Stress By 1 Anti-Diabetic Murrayazolinine. Acting On Paraoxonase 1 Activity Girinimbine, Mahanimbilol 2 Anti-Trichomonal Act Against Trichomonas Gallinae Girinimbiol By Stimulating The Salivation 3 For Oral Health Essential Oil Process Mahanimbilol, By Acting On Negative 4 Vasodilation Murrayazolinine. Chronotropic Effect Increases The Gsh Content In The 5 Anti-Oxidation Activity Mahanimbine, Koenigine Liver And Reduction In Hepatic Malondialdehyde In Kidney Mahanimbine, Girinimbine, Increase The Death Of Cancerous 6 Anti-Cancer Activity Mahanine, Murrayafoline Cell Proteasome Inhibitor By Blocking 5-Lipooxygenase 7 Girinimbine, Mahanine Effect On Bronchial Disorders Activity Isomahanine, Murrayanol 8 Effect On Dental Caries Inhibition Of Cavity Formation And Mahanine 9 Anthelmintic Activity Mahanine, Koenimbidine Cause Paralysis Mahanine, Mahanimbicine, Act Against Inflammatory Cells 10 Wound Healing Effect Mahanimbine And Essential And The Collagen Deposition Was Oil Reduces Protects The Eyes And 12 Essential Oil, Vitamin A Eye Sight Improvement Improves Eyesight

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Effect Against Lesion Index, Area Mahanimbine And Essential 14 Anti-Ulcer Activity And Percentage Of Lesion And On Oil Ulcer Mahanimbine, Murrayanol Inhibition Of Topoisomerase I And 15 Anti-Microbial Activity And Mahanine, Ii Prostaglandin E2-Induced Enter Kurryam, Koenimbine 16 Anti-Diarrheal Activity Pooling And Reduction In Koenine Gastrointestinal Motility Increase In Phagocytic Index By 18 Immunomodulatory Activity Mahanimbine, Mahanine, Removing Carbon Partical From Blood Murrayacine, 20 Antipyretic Activity Decrease In Fever Murrayazolinine. Isomahanimbine, Improves The Values Of Protective 27 Anti-Alzheimer's Activity Murrayazolidine, Antioxidants Girinimbine, Mahanine, 28 Anti-Analgesic Activity Mahanimbine, Anti-Nociceptive Effects Isomahanimbine 29 Effective Digestive System Mahanine, Murrayafoline Stimulates Digestive Enzymes Girinimbine, Mahanine, 30 Anti-Inflammatory Activity Mahanimbine, Cox-Inhibitory Property Isomahanimbine,

THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF thus reducing the chances of CURRY LEAVES[14] Xeropthalmia and night blindness. 1. Treats Diabetes: The hypoglycemic 4. Fights Infections: The curry leaves property of the curry leaves play a have potent ani-bacterial, anti-fungal, significant role in alleviating the blood anti-inflammatory and antioxidant sugar level of the body. The production properties. So regular consumption of of insulin from the pancreatic β-cells curry leaves shields our body against becomes active on consumption of various infections and germs. curry leaves. It helps in reducing the 5. Boon for Weight Loss: Curry leaves breakdown of starch into glucose are considered as a boon by people which in turn leads to low blood under a weight loss glucose level. management program. The presence of 2. Prevents Anemia: The deficiency of carbazole alkaloids in the leaves iron in the body causes anemia. Curry prevents weight gain and reduces the leaves having a high concentration of LDL cholesterol (i.e. bad cholesterol) iron is extremely effective in in the blood. It washes out the harmful increasing the hemoglobin and red toxins from the body and burn excess blood cell count of the blood. It acts as fat. a natural blood purifier, improves 6. Aids in Digestion: The high content of symptoms of tiredness and fatigue and fiber in the leaves has proven to be reduces chances of getting infections. beneficial in treating several gastro 3. Good for Vision: Curry leaves being intestinal troubles. The carminative, abundant in Vitamin A and β-carotene digestive, antiemetic and anti- play a vital role in improving eye sight dysenteric properties of curry leaves and treating eye related problems. It not only aid in digestion but also prevents the cornea from drying up and prevent constipation, diarrhea, cloud formation in front of the eyes, dysentery, piles, nausea, bloating etc.

Journal of Advancement in Pharmacognosy Volume 1 Issue 1 Being a natural stimulant, it enhances 1. Essential oil Murraya koenigii is used the appetite. as sun protection and erythema agent 7. Prevents Cancer: Recent researches in formulation. suggest that the presence of phenols 2. Curry leaf oil in your regular skin care and carbazole alkaloids are extremely cream or lotion helps by applying it on effective in treating and preventing affected area to cure skin problem such prostrate and colorectal cancers. as pimples, athlete’s foot, ringworm, 8. Dental Care: Curry leaves having itches, acne, boils and septic of anti-bacterial and anti-microbial wounds and burns. properties are extremely effective in 3. Study evaluated essential oils maintaining good oral health. The of Murraya koenigii for toxicity and essential oil present in the leaves repellent activity against strengthens the gum and teeth, Callosobruchus maculatus due to have removes bad odor and protects the active constituent α-pinene and teeth and gum from any foreign caryophyllene. microbes and infections. 4. Studies for structure function of Murraya koenigii show trypsin CURRY LEAVES IN AYURVEDA inhibitor by a compact structure of AND SUPPLEMENTS helical content at increasing Ayurveda mentions curry leaves as temperature as a inhibitory function of Girinimba or Krishnanimba, entitled after the protein. Lord Krishna, the God of Protection in 5. The effects of column extract several ancient scriptures. The essential oil of Murraya koenigii show a protective extracted from the leaves of the curry leaf effect in Dalton's Ascitic Lymphoma. tree is widely employed in this traditional 6. The possibility of incorporating dried holistic healing for the treatment of hair curry leaf powder in common dishes and skin problems, diabetes, eye problem, increases the sources of micronutrients. dental problem, diarrhea etc. The curry 7. The aqueous extract of Murraya leaves have Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya koenigii show Larvicidal, pupicidal (astringent) properties. It is blessed with repellent and anti-vector activity all the trigunas i.e. Laghu (light), against the larvae and pupae is seen. Rukhsha(dry) and Tikshna (sharp). It has 8. Richness of vitamin A and calcium in Ushna Virya (hot potency) and Katu Curry leaf oil is used for strengthening Vipaka (pungent metabolic property). It the bone, osteoporosis, calcium aggravates the Pitta doshas (digestion) and deficiency, and radiotherapy and pacifies Vata (air) and Kapha (earth and chemotherapy treatments of cancer. water) doshas. The richness of 9. Orofacial dyskinesia (OD) is treated antioxidants and nutrients in these leaves by Murrya koenigii for the prevention work wonders in giving one a lustrous or treatment of neuroleptic-induced. long hair. It treats damaged hair, 10. The activity of carbazole alkaloids strengthens the hair roots, prevents hair isolated from Murrya koenigii extract fall and also treats dandruff. It is also a and their derivatives natural aid for premature greying of against Trichomonas gallinae. hair[15]. 11. Curry leaves and its essential oil is used in both internally and externally OTHER USES[16] for healthy, long, strong, lustrous hair by balancing diet in equal proportion of vitamins, minerals, iron and other

Journal of Advancement in Pharmacognosy Volume 1 Issue 1 nutrients is required to maintain a 3 "Murraya koenigii". Missouri healthy hair. Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO, 12. Curry leaf oil helps in contracting the USA. 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019. muscles and tissues. 4 Murraya koenigii (curry leaf tree). 13. Curry leaf extract help in pigmentation CABI. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 and reduces the white patches all over August 2019. the body. 5 "Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng". From: 14. Fresh leaves, dried leaf powder and Parmar, C. and M.K. Kaushal. 1982. essential oil of curry leaf is widely Murraya koenigii. p. 45–48. In: Wild used as flavouring soups, curries, fish, Fruits. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, meat dishes, eggs dishes, traditional India. In: NewCROP, New Crop curry powder blends, seasoning and Resource Online Program, Center for ready to use other food preparations. New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue 15. The essential oil of Murraya University. 1982. Retrieved 14 koenigii is utilized in soap and August 2019. cosmetic industry for aromatherapy. 6 Norman, Jill (2002). Herbs & Spices: 16. The Murraya koenigii is beneficial in The Cook's Reference. New York, bruises, eruption and to treat bites of New York: DK Publishing. pp. 212, poisonous animals. 213. ISBN 0789489392. 7 Khosa RL, Prasad S. Pharmacognosy CONCLUSION of roots of Murraya koenigii and Murraya koenigii is a medicinal as well as Murraya paniculata. J Res Indian culinary plant that belongs to family Med. 1974;9(3):105. Rutaceae. Numerous pharmacological 8 "Curry leaf tree (Murraya activities of the plant has been seen such koenigii)". Heritage Garden. as activity on Cholesterol reducing Retrieved 2019-04-02. property, Anti diabetic, antimicrobial 9 Sankar Ganesh, Ravishankar Rai; et al. activity, anti-diarrhoea activity, (2015). "In vitro antibiofilm activity antioxidative property, antiulcer activity, of Murraya koenigii essential oil cytotoxic activity, anti-cancer activity with extracted using supercritical fluid CO2 many other phagocytic activity. The method against Pseudomonas chemical constituents of this plant consists aeruginosa PAO1".Natural Product of essential oil alkaloids and terpenoid. Research. 29 (24): 2295–2298. Thus, Murraya koenigii leaves virtues doi:10.1080/14786419.2015.1004673. supplementary phytochemical, ISSN 1478-6427. PMID 25635569. pharmacological and clinical 10 Gahlawat DK, Jakhar S, Dahiya investigations for development of an P. Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng: An effective natural plant. ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological review. Journal of REFERENCES Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 1 Curry leaf-and its uses. Coun Sci & 2014;3(3):109–119. Indus Res. 1962;6:125–127. 11 Darvekar VM, Patil VR, Choudhari 2 Murraya koenigii. Germplasm AB. Anti-inflammatory activity of Resources Information Network Murraya koeniggi Spreng on (GRIN). Agricultural Research experimental animals. Journal of Service (ARS), United States Natural Product and Plant Resourse. Department of Agriculture(USDA). 2011;1(1):65–69.

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