Curry Tree: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Kaloupilé, Curry Leaf, Kadi Patta, Cari Leaf
Scientific name(s)
Murraya koenigii
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Iron
Murrayacine
Mahanimbine
Mahanine
Beta carotene
Alkaloids
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ✪✪✪✪✪
The intake of 300 mg of standardized M. koenigii leaf extract and T terrestris, twice a day for 12 weeks, was as effective as tamsulosin (a medication used as an alpha-blocker) in treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
600 mg
12 - weeks
Men
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Synergies
Phytochemical Portfolio and Anticancer Activity of Murraya Koenigii and Its Primary Active Component, Mahanine
Mahanine Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells Through the Deactivation of Akt and Activation of Caspases
Cardiovascular Diseases ✪✪✪✪✪
Curry leaf powder was tested in a small clinical study among 50 postmenopausal women with a history of hyperlipidemia. The group consuming 5 g of curry powder for 45 days showed an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decrease in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerides, consequently reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. In some studies, the early appearance of an atheroma caused by LDL cholesterol oxidation was reduced by the antioxidant effects of curry powder, suggesting prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
5 g
45 - days
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases With Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidant Nutraceuticals and Herbal Products: An Overview of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies
Indigenous Drugs in Ischemic Heart Disease in Patients With Diabetes
Oral Infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Murraya koenigii L. were effective against S. mutans (Streptococcus mutans is a bacteria part of the oral cavity's commensal flora). The ethanolic extract was effective in inhibiting Lactobacillus brevis and Actinomyces viscosus. The aqueous extract also inhibited Lactobacillus casei. It is suggested that the antimicrobial effect of curry leaves is due to its phytochemical constituents like carotene, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, folic acid, and riboflavin.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Diarrhea ✪✪✪✪✪
Curry leaves are traditionally used in Ayurveda for gastrointestinal disorders, particularly for diarrhea.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
3 - 6 g
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Wound ✪✪✪✪✪
Local application of crushed curry leaves helps in improving burns, bruises, and insect bites. The plant also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects.
Posologie
Orally: leaf
3 - 6 g
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Alzheimer's Disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Murrya koenigii might have a beneficial potential role in neuroprotection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
Posologie
Orally
Properties
Gastroprotective
In vivo studies (on rats) have shown that aqueous and ether extracts of M. koenigii have anti-ulcer activity. The aqueous extracts of the leaves resulted in a reduction of ulcerative lesions and seem to be as protective as ranitidine (a gastric antisecretory treatment).
Digestive Effect
Kurryam and koenimbine (in seeds) have shown significant inhibitory activity against diarrhea. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of M. koenigii leaves have shown significant anthelmintic activity at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, against Pheretima posthuma.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
In vivo studies (on rats) have shown that curry tree leaves have a hypoglycemic activity. This effect seems related to mahanimbine, a constituent of Murraya koenigii. The possible mechanism could be the potentiation of insulin's effect, either by increasing pancreatic insulin secretion from beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, or by enhancing peripheral glucose uptake. Mahanimbine has also shown a non-negligible inhibitor effect on alpha amylase compared to acarbose (an oral antidiabetic medication).
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Mahanimbine and koenigine, two alkaloids isolated from M. koenigii leaves, have shown antioxidant activity. Koenigine has also shown a property for free radical scavenging.
Cognitive Function
A study showed that M. koenigii leaf extract improves memory and learning abilities in aged hypoxic mice. The ethanolic leaf extract was observed to lower serum cholesterol in mice, inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme, and consequently increase acetylcholine concentration in the brain, enhancing memory in aged mice.
Antimicrobial
M. koenigii acts as an antimicrobial against various bacteria such as P. aeruginosa, S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and E. coli.
Usages associés
Dermatological Effect
The essential oil cream formulation from M. koenigii leaves showed minimal sun protection activity and can be used to maintain the natural skin pigmentation or as an adjuvant. M. koenigii extract is also included in a cosmetic lightening product for its moisturizing, antioxidant, and hyaluronidase inhibitory activity.
Usages associés
Anticancer
M. koenigii induces apoptosis in human myeloid cancer cells. The results show that mahanine inhibits cellular survival factors and disrupts the cell cycle progression. Another study reported that mahanine purified from M. koenigii leaves shows dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative activity in acute lymphoblastic and chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines, with minimal effect on normal immune cells, including CD34 (+) cells.
Usages associés
Hypocholesterolemic
In aged mice, a dose-dependent hypocholesterolemic activity has been demonstrated. This effect is comparable to a standard hypocholesterolemic treatment (simvastatin). Carbazole alkaloids, a major phytochemical constituent of the plant, may be responsible for this effect.
Usages associés
Neurological
Murrya koenigii seems to have a potential neuroprotective role against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In vivo studies have shown an antioxidant effect in the brain, an increase in acetylcholine levels, and a decrease in anticholinesterase activity.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult: 3 g - 6 g
No official recommendation has been established, but the leaf powder at a rate of 3 to 6 g has been used safely.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Nursing woman: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
