Diabetes support5 min
Chewing Fresh Curry Leaves Before Breakfast
Eight to ten fresh curry leaves chewed in the morning, a popular South Indian habit for people watching their sugar. What it can and cannot do.
Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.
What to know about curry leaves
Curry leaves (kadi patta) are the fragrant leaves crackled into South Indian tempering. They add aroma and a little fibre and are traditionally linked with hair and digestion.
Curry leaves contain fibre and antioxidants, and animal studies hint at sugar-lowering effects. Human evidence is limited. Chewing a few leaves is safe for most people and adds greens, but it is not a treatment.
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 fresh curry leaves
How to prepare
- Wash leaves well, preferably from a pesticide-free plant.
How to use
- Chew slowly before breakfast, a few days a week.
- Also use curry leaves generously in cooking.
Helpful habits
- A home pot of curry leaf grows well on a sunny balcony.
Precautions
- Monitor sugar if on medicine.
- Wash well; shop leaves may carry pesticide residue.
- Keep checking your sugar; tell your doctor before adding this, as medicine doses may need review.
- Traditional use; scientific evidence is limited. Do not stop prescribed medicine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swallow them whole?
- Chewing is better; they are fibrous.
Can I grow my own?
- Yes, a curry leaf plant grows well in a sunny pot.
Can curry leaves be frozen?
- Yes, wash, dry and freeze them flat; they keep their aroma for weeks.
