Two of its components, cineole and eugenol, are what give bay leaf its main property: facilitating digestion, as well as preventing acidity and reducing the gases present in the digestive tract that cause so much discomfort.
These same active ingredients also have the property of improving and stimulating appetite, which is why, in certain phytotherapy treatments aimed at people who need to gain weight, bay leaf infusions are recommended before main meals.
If you boil bay leaves in a glass of water and taste it, it will have no smell or taste.
Among the many spices that take place in your kitchen, there is surely no shortage of bay leaf, because, like other condiments such as oregano and cumin, it is an essential ingredient to give flavor and a pleasant aroma to many dishes.
Due to its aromatic qualities, the bay leaf has been highly appreciated in different industries, especially in the culinary world, where it is used as a spice or condiment, for which it is necessary to dry its leaves, which, if not subjected to to this process, they could be toxic.
The amazing properties it possesses have made laurel a highly valued herb in the field of natural medicine, helping in the treatment of multiple ailments.
Adding bay leaves to meat converts triglycerides to mono fats and for experimentation and confirmation, do the following:
- Cut a chicken in half and cook each half in a bowl and add a bay leaf to one and the other without the bay leaf, and observe the amount of fat in the two pots.
If you have bay leaves, there is no need to go to the pharmacy. Recent scientific studies have shown that bay leaves have many benefits.
The benefits of bay leaf:
- Bay leaf treats digestive disorders and helps eliminate lumps.
- Heartburn
- Reflux
- Constipation
- Regulate intestinal movement by drinking hot bay leaf tea.
- It lowers blood sugar, and bay leaf is also an antioxidant.
- It allows the body to produce insulin by eating it or drinking bay leaf tea for a month.
- Eliminates bad cholesterol and relieves triglycerides in the body.
- Very useful in the treatment of common cold, flu and severe cough, as it is a rich source of vitamin "C", you can boil the leaves and take inhalations of the steam, to get rid of phlegm and reduce the severity of cough .
- Bay leaf, when consumed, protects the heart from seizures and strokes, as it contains cardiovascular protective compounds.
- Rich in acids, such as caffeic acid, quercetin, eigonol and bartholinide, substances that prevent the formation of cancer cells in the body.
- Eliminates insomnia and anxiety, if taken before going to bed, it helps you relax and sleep peacefully.
- Drinking a cup of boiled bay leaves twice a day breaks up kidney stones and cures infections.
It can also be used topically to regenerate the epidermis or to treat certain skin conditions caused by fungi, as well as for bruises, burns, ulcers, abscesses or acne. Bay oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve muscle pain.
What are the contraindications and side effects of bay leaf?
Although it is true that it is a very beneficial herb, there are some contraindications and side effects that have been associated with improper consumption of bay leaf, which you should take into account to avoid further complications.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Children under 6 years old.
- Patients with colitis, gastroduodenal ulcers, gastritis, Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Patients with epilepsy, Parkinson's and other pathologies that affect the nervous system.
- People with respiratory allergies.
- Patients with hypersensitivity to essential oils.
As for side effects, frequent intake of highly concentrated bay leaf infusions could cause nausea, vomiting, gastritis and stomach ulcers. Likewise, its improper use on the skin could cause contact dermatitis, among other adverse reactions.
