Common Name: Curry Leaf

General Information

Murraya koenigii is a most attractive, small evergreen tree with wonderfully sweet, curry-pungent foliage. It can grow 4 - 5 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often cultivated for its leaves and medicinal uses in the gardens of the tropics, where it can be used as a hedge, and is often sold in local markets[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Dry lowland woodland[]. Moist forests at elevations of 500 - 1,600 metres in southern China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 27 - 41°c, but can tolerate 8 - 47°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 1,800mm, but tolerates 500 - 2,500mm[].
Grows best in full sun[]. A very easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and situations[]. Prefers a fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained, light soil[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants can sucker freely and also spreads by seeds, so it can become invasive. Due to the vigorous suckering, plants are not really very suitable for small gardens[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked. The pungent, aromatic leaves are a common ingredient in curries, chutneys, stews etc[, ]. An indispensible ingredient in southern Indian curries[]. The leaves retain their characteristic flavour and aroma even after drying[]. Another report says that the leaves are little know away from areas in which the plant is grown because the leaves lose their flavour upon being dried[].

Fruit - a peppery flavour[, ]. The black fruit is 8 - 10mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

Curry leaf contains several medically active constituents including a glycoside called koenigin, an essential oil and tannins[]. It is a warming, strongly aromatic herb that improves appetite and digestion[].

The leaves, roots and bark can all be used internally in the treatment of digestive problems[]. It has been shown that the leaves increase digestive secretions and relieve nausea, indigestion and vomiting[]. The leaves can be used internally in treating constipation, colic and diarrhoea[]. The leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[, ].
The leaves can be applied externally as a poultice to treat burns and wounds[].
The leaves are harvested as required and used fresh[].
The roots and bark are harvested as required and can be used fresh or dried[].

The juice of the fruit, mixed with lime juice (Citrus aurantiifolia) is applied to soothe insect bites and stings[].
A paste made from the bark is applied to the bites of poisonous insects and other animals[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

An oil is extracted from the ripe seeds[].

An oil obtained from the leaves (essential oil?) is used in the soap industry[].
An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a preservative[].
An extract of the stems and twigs is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

The leaves are thought to be a hair tonic in India, where it is believed that they can prevent the hair greying[].

The flowers are used to repel shrews[].

Propagation

Seed -
Division of suckers in the growing season. Very easy[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood[].

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