Herbs anyone??? (Part 4) - Sweet Neem Leaf

The Sweet Neem Leaf is a sought-after culinary herb when preparing curry dishes. It is so-called Sweet Neem due to its resemblance to the Neem Tree (which is also referred to as Black Neem). Botanically, the plant is known as Murraya Koenigii from the family Rutaceae and is known to be origin from India and Sri Lanka. Locally the plant especially the leaves are popularly known as Daun Kari (directly translate as Curry Leaves) or Kari Patta (Hindi). The main part of the plant that are widely use as culinary herb are the leaves. These pungent, aromatic leaves are often added to Indian & Asian cuisine such as rasam, curries, chutneys and even as one of the ingredients in preparation of the Indian snacks such as murukku.



Almost all parts of the plant have a strong characteristic odour. The plant loves medium which are rich in minerals and most matured plants will produce small, white scented flowers on a stalk which eventually will wither and produces green berries, turning dark purplish when ripe. These berries are edible but not the seeds. Propagation of the plant is by germination of these seeds, matured stems or plantlets that grown on the roots.



Almost all parts of the plants are known to have some medicinal properties. The leaves, barks & roots of the Sweet Neem Plant can be used for the preparation of tonic. The barks and roots are used as stimulant by physicians and are often traditionally use to cure eruptions and bites of poisonous animals. The leaves, apart from adding fragrant and imparting a very good flavour in curry dishes, if eaten raw can actually cure those suffering from dysentery.

A strong odoriferous* oil occurs in the leaves and seeds and this essential oil exhibited a strong antibacterial and antifungal activity. The branches are also popularly use traditionally for cleaning the teeth (especially in rural areas where owning a proper toothbrush is a luxury)and said to strengthen the gums & teeth.

In another book about herbs that I read recently, there's a mentioned about using the leaves traditionally for promoting shiny, black hair. A bundle of the Sweet Neem leaves are washed & dried. The dried leaves are then grind to a powdery form and by mixing a teaspoonful of this dried powdered leaves to a glass of water, drink as tea everyday for at least a continuous of 48 days...will actually encourage the growth of one's hair to be black & shiny. I guess, I should seriously consider trying this method real soon....bye,bye grey hair!!



** odoriferous - diffusing odour