The curry tree (Murraya koenigii) is a tropical to sub tropical tree in the family Rutaceae, which is native to Sri Lanka.

Its leaves are used in many dishes in Asian countries. Often used in curries, the leaves are generally called by the name "curry leaves", though they are also translated as "sweet neem leaves." (as opposed to ordinary Neem leaves which are bitter).

It is a small tree, growing 4–6 m (13–20 feet) tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm diameter. The leaves are pinnate, with 11-21 leaflets, each leaflet 2–4 cm long and 1–2 cm broad. They are highly aromatic. The flowers are small, white, and fragrant. The small black shiny berries are edible.

The leaves of Murraya koenigii are also used as a herb in Ayurvedic Medicine. They are believed to possess anti diabetic properties.

Curry leaf - western medicine

The traditional use of the curry leaf tree to treat diabetes has attracted a great deal of interest. Special compounds have been found which might make it an effective new medicine for diabetes sufferers.

Diabetes

There is an enzyme present in our digestive systems which helps breakdown the starch that we eat in our diet to a simple sugar, glucose. It is called the pancreatic alpha-amylase enzyme. Recent research has shown that the curry leaf tree contains special compounds that inhibit this enzyme. This means that the rate at which starch is broken down by the enzyme can be slowed.

This is potentially a breakthrough for diabetes sufferers. A patient with diabetes cannot control the levels of glucose in their blood. This is usually because they do not produce enough insulin to deal with the rises in levels of blood glucose that occur after eating a meal or sugary snack. Slowing the rate of starch breakdown, by blocking the alpha-amylase enzyme, can lower the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream from the intestine. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new drug for diabetes. This is important because more and more people, especially young people, are developing diabetes because they are eating food that contains too much sugar. New drugs which have few side-effects are constantly being sought. It may not be too long before the curry leaf emerges as a new a innovative medicine.

Curry leaf - plant profile

Names

Curry leaf, Curry tree (English) 

Botanical name: Murraya koenigii
Family: Rutaceae, the orange and lemon family.

Curry leaf is mainly a culinary plant and is cultivated as an ornamental plant in Sri Lanka. It also has several lesser known uses.

Wood

The wood is grayish-white become black (similar to ebony wood - when matured), hard, close-grained and durable. It has been used to make essential oil. There is a very big demand at present for wood among Agarwood (Aquilaria) Oil manufacturers.

Leaves

Fresh leaves are steam distilled to produce oil which is used for the production of medicines and perfumes.