Curry leaves Botanical Name is Murraya Koeingii. It belongs to the genus Murraya and the family Rutaceae. It is commonly found in India and Sri Lanka. The curry leaf tree is also known by different names in India, including kariveppilai in Tamil, kariveppaku in Telugu, and karipatta in Hindi.
The tree is known for its pungent, aromatic leaves that are used as a flavoring in Indian and Asian cuisine. Curry Leaves have medicinal properties too. In this article, we will learn about the Taxonomy, Distribution, Habitat, Health benefits, Nutritional facts, and Physiological properties of Curry Leaves.
Table of Content
Botanical Name of Curry Leaf?
Murraya Koeingii is the botanical name for Curry Leaves. M. Koeingii is a member of the Rutaceae family. It is indigenous to Sri Lanka and India. It belongs to the Genus Murraya and species koenigii. Curry Leaves are utilized in many different recipes because of their fragrant qualities and other advantages. It is also referred to in India as Curry patta or sweet neem leaves. In nations like Sri Lanka and India, Curry Leaves may reach twenty feet.
Curry Leaves are useful in medicine. The names of the genus and species honour Swedish doctors and botanists, Johann Andreas Murray and Johann König, respectively. Murraya koenigii is a plant that is frequently grown for its fragrant Leaves, which are utilized in many different recipes, particularly Indian food.
Taxonomical Classification of Curry Leave
The Taxonomical Classification of Curry Leave (Murraya Koeingii) is as follows:
|
Kingdom |
|
|---|---|
|
Clade |
Tracheophytes |
|
Clade |
|
|
Clade |
Eudicots |
|
Clade |
Rosids |
|
Order |
Sapindales |
|
Family |
Rutaceae |
|
Genus |
Murraya |
|
Species |
Koeingii |
Distribution and Habitat
Murraya Koeingii is the botanical name for Curry Leaves. M. Koeingii is a member of the Rutaceae family. It is indigenous to Sri Lanka and India. They are also found in forests and wastelands in natural, wild, and cultivated forms up to 1650 m altitude.
- Native range: It is native to India and Sri Lanka and now commercially it is available in Austrialia.
- Habitat: It thrives in full sun or light shade, well-drained soil that doesn’t dry up, and a spot away from the wind.
- Climate: When the temperature is at least 18 °C (64 °F), growth is more vigorous.
- Adaptibility: Curry leaf trees are indigenous to South Asia, but they have been successfully imported to other regions of the world with comparable conditions.
- Distribution: Curry leaf is a popular culinary herb that has been imported and grown in many tropical and subtropical locations of the world due to its use in traditional medicine.
- Cultivation: Murraya koenigii is a plant that is frequently grown for its fragrant Leaves, which are utilized in many different recipes, particularly Indian food.
Also Read: Difference Between Herbs And Shrubs
Nutritional Facts of Curry Leaves
Curry Leaves have many nutritional properties which are beneficial for human beings. These are as follows:
|
Main Nutrients |
Vitamins |
Phytochemicals |
|
Minerals and other Nutrients |
Vitamins |
Phytochemicals |
|
Fiber |
Vitamin A |
Amino acids |
|
Calcium |
Vitamin B |
Flavonoids |
|
Phosphorous |
Vitamin E |
Glycosides |
|
Iron |
Mahanimbine |
|
|
Magnesium |
Murrayanol |
|
|
Copper |
Mahanineoenimbine |
|
|
Other minerals |
O-methylmurrayamine A, O-methylmahanine, Isomahanine, bismahanine, bispyrayafoline |
Medicinal uses of Curry Leaves
Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) offer several health benefits due to their rich nutritional profile. There are some potential health benefits associated with the consumption of curry leaves. There are as follows:
- Anti Diarrhoea: Curry Leaves contain carbazole alkaloids, which have anti-diarrheal effects.
- Gastrointestinal Cure: Curry Leaves have modest laxative qualities, which makes them useful in one particular use. A blend of lime juice and Curry Leaves may be made into juice, which can be used to treat dyspepsia.
- Powerful Antioxidant: Curry Leaves are rich in antioxidants because they include a number of vitamins, including A, B, C, and E, which all aid in lowering oxidative stress and scavenging free radicals.
- Anti Diabetic: The anti-hyperglycemic properties of the Leaves were beneficial in controlling blood glucose level in diabetic rats.
- Anti-malignant: Curry Leaves contain chemical components called phenols that can help prevent malignancies like colon, prostate, and leukaemia.
- Cholestrol Remedy: Curry Leaves have been shown to lower levels of harmful cholesterol, or LDL.
- Anti Hairfall: It’s thought that Curry Leaves can support stronger hair roots.
- Increase eyesight: Curry Leaves are excellent for vision since they are abundant in vitamin A. Carotenoids, which are found in vitamin A, shield the cornea, or outer layer of the eye. Vitamin A deficiency can result in night blindness, clouding of the cornea, and in rare circumstances, blindness.
- Anti bacterial: Curry Leaves have anti bacterial properties.
- Hepatic care: Curry Leaves have demonstrated strong hepatoprotective qualities due to the presence of carbazole alkaloids and tannins. They also aid in protecting the liver against cirrhosis and hepatitis, among other illnesses.
Aslo Read:
FAQs – Botanical Name of Curry Leaf
1. What is the Botanical Name For Curry Leaf?
The botanical appellation for Curry Leaves is Murraya koenigii. The specific species is formally identified as Murraya koenigii Spreng.
2. What is the Family of Curry Leaves?
The Curry Leaves tree is classified within the genus Murraya, a member of the Rutaceae family.
3. What is the Scientific Name of Curry Leaf Spot?
Leaf spot, characterized by Phyllosticta, manifests through the appearance of circular spots or lesions on the leaves. In instances of a severe infestation, it can lead to premature leaf shedding, significantly weakening the tree.
4. What is the Local Name of Curry Leaves in India?
Curry Leaves go by diverse names across different regions of India, including Kadi Patta (Marathi), Karibevu (Kannada), Mitho Limdo (Gujarati), and Karuvepillai (Tamil), among others. Thriving in warm climates, the Curry Leaves plant flourishes best in tropical regions.
5. Why is the Species Name “koenigii” Used in the Scientific Name?
The species name “koenigii” is a specific epithet chosen to honor Danish naturalist Johann Gerhard König, who made notable contributions to botanical exploration in India.