A Review of Curry Leaves (Murraya koenigii): A Multifunctional Medicinal Plant with Diverse Potentials

Abstract

Abstract:

"Food is medicine, and medicine is food" aptly captures the essence of how vegetables and plants were historically used for both nourishment and healing. In ancient times, the boundary between diet and therapy was fluid, as many edible plants served medicinal purposes in traditional systems of health. One such remarkable plant is Murraya koenigii, commonly known as curry leaves. Referred to as the "Magical Plant of Indian Spice", it has played a significant role not only in enhancing the flavour of Indian cuisine but also in traditional medicine, especially in rural areas and among tribal communities. For centuries, Murraya koenigii has been widely utilised to treat various health conditions. It has proven to be beneficial in alleviating morning sickness, stomach aches, kidney pain, and dysentery. The use of this plant in indigenous healing practices underscores its therapeutic potential and the deep-rooted knowledge of natural remedies passed down through generations. The medicinal properties of curry leaves are largely attributed to the presence of carbazole alkaloids, a class of bioactive compounds known for their pharmacological effects. Several important alkaloids have been isolated from Murraya koenigii, including koenigin, bicyclomahanimbicine, cyclomahanimbine, murrayastine, coumarin, koenidine, and pypayafolinecarbazole. These compounds are known to exhibit a wide range of therapeutic activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. Their presence in curry leaves supports the plant’s traditional use in medicine and highlights its potential for the development of modern therapeutic agents. Thus, Murraya koenigii stands as a testament to the idea that natural food sources can possess potent medicinal properties, reaffirming the wisdom of ancient practices where diet was closely linked to healing.