Bay leaf - Lorbeerblatt
Description
Bay leaf
Dried bay leaf is the best quality product used to prepare delicious, perfectly composed dishes. The dried bay leaf has a very pleasant taste and a spicy-bitter smell. On the one hand, it is the flagship spice of Irish cuisine: cabbage, soups, stews, and on the other hand, it fits perfectly with Indian dishes.
Cooking recipe with this product : Horseradish cream with crispy bacon chips
Bay leaf - medicinal properties and use in the kitchen
Bay leaf has been used not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine. All thanks to numerous healing properties. A decoction and infusion of bay leaves is used as a remedy for joints and even diabetes. In turn, bay leaf oil - for acne problems or hair loss. Check what other effects of bay leaf have and try the recipe for a decoction, infusion, tincture and bay leaf rinse.
Bay leaves (Lorbeerblatt) are the dried leaves of the laurel tree (Laurus nobilis), which occurs naturally in southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. Currently, bay leaves are used mainly in the kitchen as a seasoning. Few people know that they have numerous healing properties, which have long been used in natural medicine. A decoction and infusion of bay leaves is used as a remedy for joints, cleansing the body of toxins, and even for diabetes. In turn, bay leaf oil supports the treatment of skin diseases. In the past, bay leaf had other uses as well - in ancient times it was used to make wreaths that decorated the heads of poets, rulers and winners of the Olympic Games. Bay leaf was considered a kind of talisman that protected people from all sorts of misfortunes.
Bay leaf - properties and medicinal use of infusion and decoction of bay leaves
Bay leaf infusion has been used in natural medicine as a means of cleansing the body of toxins, supporting the work of the liver and diuretic. Bay leaf infusion also improves digestion as it increases the secretion of gastric acid. The infusion and decoction should be drunk in small portions, at large intervals and only for a few days.
Otherwise, it may even lead to a hemorrhage. The bay leaf infusion also has caring properties - it perfectly tones the skin and soothes inflammation. In addition, thanks to its bactericidal and fungicidal properties, it can help people struggling with dandruff and acne. Modern phytotherapy recommends a decoction of bay leaves for rheumatism and arthritis, which can be used both internally and externally. In this case, bay leaves work in two ways. First of all, the oils contained in them have skin-warming properties, which is why they are used for compresses soothing rheumatic and arthritic pains. Secondly, it is believed that bay leaves cleanse the joints of deposits that accumulate in them, and thus significantly improve their condition. This effect is likely due to the diaphoretic action of bay leaves. Laurel increases the secretion of sweat, and with them the removal of harmful and unnecessary metabolites.
In herbal medicine, boiled bay leaves are also used to relieve bronchitis and dry cough. Just put them on your breasts and cover them with a cloth.
Bay leaf reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease
Bay leaf improves blood sugar regulation and improves the lipid profile in people with type 2 diabetes, argue Pakistani scientists from the University of Agriculture. 40 people with type 2 diabetes were divided into 4 groups. Daily, once a day, one group was given a placebo and the next group was given capsules containing 1, 2 or 3 g of powdered bay leaves. The effects of the herb were checked after 30 days of the experiment. It turned out that there was a decrease in glucose levels by 21-26%, total cholesterol levels by 20-24%, and "bad" LDL cholesterol by as much as 32-40%. In turn, the level of HDL good cholesterol increased by 20 percent. in people who got 1 or 2 g of powdered bay leaves. There were no significant changes in the placebo group. According to the researchers, this study shows that taking 1-3 g of bay leaves daily for a month reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. They also suggest that bay leaves may be helpful in treating people with type 2 diabetes.
This will be useful to you
Recipe for an infusion of bay leaves
To prepare an infusion of bay leaves, put 5 grams of bay leaves, preferably crushed, in a glass and pour boiling water over them. Bay leaf tea is ready for drinking or external use after cooling.
Recipe for a decoction of bay leaves
Put 5 grams of bay leaves in a pot of cold water, bring to a boil, then cook for about 5 minutes. The finished broth should be poured into a thermos bottle and set aside for 5 hours to stand. Finally, the liquid must be strained.
Recipe for bay leaf hair rinse
Pour 3 tablespoons of the leaves in boiling water, leave to infuse for about 30 minutes, then strain and leave to cool. Then strain the liquid. The rinse can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.
Recipe for laurel tincture
Prepare 5 g of dried bay leaves, 1 liter of pure vodka 50%, 20 g of sugar. Put the leaves into a glass dish, pour vodka and add sugar. Close the vessel tightly and set aside in a warm place for 4-5 weeks. During this time, shake the sugar daily. After this time, strain the liquid through a filter paper, pour into bottles and close them tightly. Store the bottles in a dark and cool place. The tincture is ready after a minimum of 8 months of aging
Bay leaf oil (bay oil) - properties and application
People struggling with rheumatism and arthritis, apart from a decoction of bay leaves, can also use bay leaf oil and oil to rub into painful areas, as they have warming properties. Apparently, the aroma that is released after setting bay leaves on fire is extremely relaxing and relaxing, and also allows you to clear the respiratory tract.
Some say it even has hallucinogenic properties. Laurel oil can help people with acne - it can be applied topically to single blemishes. The oil has been shown to help heal wounds and inflammation in the skin.
The oil should be rubbed into the head of people who complain of dandruff and hair loss. The oil stimulates the work of hair follicles, stimulating hair growth. Laurel oil is also suitable for the care of weak, brittle and splitting nails.
Bay leaf oil has antifungal properties due to the content of ingredients such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, argue scientists from Brazil in the "Archives of Oral Biology". In their opinion, these components affect the biosynthesis of the cell wall and the permeability of the C. albicans yeast cell membrane and thus exert a detrimental effect on it. In turn, scientists from Tunisia concluded that bay leaf oil has antibacterial properties against staphylococcus aureus.
Before use, warm the closed bottle with oil in warm water to melt it. If applied to a larger area of skin and hair, mix it with a different base oil. Besides, it is not recommended to use laurel oil in children as it may be too intense for them and cause an allergic reaction.
Important
Bay leaf may interact with medications:
- painkillers - bay leaf may delay the removal of painkillers by the body, and thus intensify their effects and cause side effects
- sleeping pills (e.g. clonazepam, lorazepam, zolpidem) - bay leaf may cause drowsiness
Therefore, they should not be taken at the same time!
Syrian Alep soap (from Aleppo), a combination of laurel oil and olive oil
For over 2,000 years, the inhabitants of Aleppo have been making hand-made soap based on laurel oil and olive oil. It has antibacterial properties, so it can be used by people struggling with acne, pustules and similar skin problems. Additionally, the soap - thanks to its simple composition - does not cause allergies and is gentle on sensitive skin. It can even be used to wash children and babies. It adapts to all skin types and types. All you need to do is choose the percentage of bay oil that is right for you.