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
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia ✪✪✪✪✪
Taking 300 mg of a standardized extract of M. koenigii and T. terrestris leaves, twice daily for 12 weeks, was as effective as tamsulosin (a drug used as an alpha-blocker) in treating the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Posologie
Oral: 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 of 50 postmenopausal women with a history of hyperlipidemia. The group that consumed 5 g of curry powder for 45 days showed an increase in HDL cholesterol levels and a decrease in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, as well as a reduction in triacylglyceride levels and consequently a reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases.nnIn some studies, the early development of atheroma caused by oxidation of LDL cholesterol was reduced by the antioxidant effects of curry powder, suggesting prevention of cardiovascular diseases.nn
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 g
45 days
hydroalcoholic 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 and dental infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Murraya koenigii L. were effective against S. mutans (Streptococcus mutans is a bacterium that is part of the commensal flora of the oral cavity). 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 such as carotene, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, folic acid and riboflavin. nn
Posologie
Oral: leaf
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Diarrhea ✪✪✪✪✪
Curry leaves are traditionally used in Ayurveda for gastrointestinal disorders, notably in cases of diarrhea.nn
Posologie
Oral: leaf
3 - 6 g
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Wound ✪✪✪✪✪
Topical application of crushed curry leaves can help improve burns, bruises and insect bites. The plant also appears to have antibacterial and antifungal effects. nn
Posologie
Oral: leaf
3 - 6 g
hydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract
Alzheimer's disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Murrya koenigii may have a potentially beneficial role in neuroprotection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. nn
Posologie
Oral
Properties
Gastroprotective
In vivo studies (in rats) have shown that aqueous and ether extracts of M. koenigii have anti-ulcer activity. Indeed, aqueous extracts of the leaves resulted in a reduction of ulcerative lesions and appear to be as protective as ranitidine (a gastric antisecretory treatment). nn
Digestive effect
Kurryam and koenimbine (in the seeds) have shown significant inhibitory activity against diarrhea.nnEthanolic and aqueous extracts of M. koenigii leaves showed significant anthelmintic activity at a concentration of 100 mg/mL against Pheretima posthuma. nn
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
In vivo studies (on rats) have shown that curry tree leaves have a hypoglycemic activity. This effect appears to be linked to mahanimbine, a constituent of Murraya koenigii. The possible mechanism may be potentiation of insulin's effect, either by increasing pancreatic insulin secretion from the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, or by increasing peripheral glucose uptake. Mahanimbine has also shown a notable inhibitory effect on alpha-amylase compared with acarbose (an oral antidiabetic drug).
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Mahanimbine and koenigine, two alkaloids isolated from the leaves of M. koenigii, have shown antioxidant activity. Koenigine has also demonstrated radical-scavenging properties.
Cognitive function
A study showed that M. koenigii leaf extract improves memory and learning abilities in aged mice under hypoxic conditions. Indeed, it was observed that the ethanolic leaf extract lowered serum cholesterol in the mice, inhibited the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, and consequently increased brain acetylcholine concentration and improved 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 formulation of a cream containing M. koenigii leaf essential oil exhibited minimal sunscreen activity and may be used to maintain the skin's natural pigmentation or as an adjunct. M. koenigii extract is also included in a skin-lightening cosmetic product for its moisturizing, antioxidant and hyaluronidase-inhibitory activity.
Usages associés
Anticancer
M. koenigii induces apoptosis in human cancerous myeloid cells. The results show that mahanine inhibits cellular survival factors and disrupts cell cycle progression. Another study reported that mahanine, purified from M. koenigii leaves, has dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative activity in acute lymphoid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia cell lines, with minimal effect on normal immune cells, including CD34(+) cells.
Usages associés
Cholesterol-lowering
In aged mice, a dose-dependent cholesterol-lowering activity was demonstrated. This effect is comparable to a standard cholesterol-lowering 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. Indeed, in vivo studies have shown an antioxidant effect in the brain, as well as an increase in acetylcholine levels and a decrease in anticholinesterase activity.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult: 3 g - 6 g
No official recommendation has been established, but leaf powder at a dose of 3 to 6 g has been used safely.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
