If you have already entered a yoga center or bookstore, you may have noticed that these places have a very special smell. This is due to the fact that so-called "purification" is often practiced in these places. It is an Amerindian rite in which various sacred herbs are burned and where smoke is used to purify a room. This ritual is similar to burning incense.
This practice of purification is often associated with sage but it is possible to use other plants that will have even more immediate benefits on you and on your home like laurel leaves.
Why burn bay leaves?
The laurel leaves have been known for millennia, their importance in Greek and Roman folklore and their constant presence in Indian and Caribbean cultures and cuisine are recognized worldwide. This plant has stood the test of time. But laurel leaves are not just present in the kitchen and fairy tales. Indeed, this herb is widely used as a fragrance in creams, lotions, perfumes, soaps and detergents.
Benefits of bay laurel
In tradition, this leaf is used for its sedative, analgesic, anti-vomit and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It lowers blood pressure and regulates the heartbeats. It can also be used as a herbal tea to treat insomnia, chronic stress and sudden mood changes.
In the culinary field, it is useful for regulating glucose and cholesterol in the cooking of certain foods, especially for people with diabetes and those who wish to protect themselves from kidney stones. In herb tea, bay leaves can prevent the proliferation and spread of leukemia. In addition, it is capable of killing certain cancer cells.
How to use bay leaves?
Do not hesitate to integrate it in all the recipes of your hot dishes to take full advantage of its benefits but make sure to remove it before serving, in order not to choke you by swallowing it.
If you feel tense or you are in a bad mood, simply place one or two bay leaves in a square of aluminum foil and place it in a heat-resistant container or tray and then burn the paper. You can do this in your bedroom or in your office. Let it simmer for 10 minutes. Be sure to close the windows so that the wind does not hurt by turning it upside down, keep the tray away from anything that could be flammable (such as paper, wood, or household linen). If your home has a smoke detector, turn it off to prevent unnecessary alarms.
Once back inside, the smoke released by the plant will relax your muscles and mind. You will be more zen and you will find it easier to concentrate on what you have to do. When you are finished, place the ash-filled container on the outside.
Other plants to use for natural fumigation at home
White sage: it is renowned for purifying the room of a sick person, it chases the bad waves and distances the negative energies. It has the power to purify the aura, the house and the objects present. It is the most powerful and effective herb in purification.
St. John's Wort: if you burn it as incense during the summer solstice, it will protect you from fires and lightning. It is also the perfect herb to protect you from the evil eye and bad waves coming from outside. It is a very privileged plant in terms of love, healing and good health.
The rose of Jericho or plant of the resurrection: this plant manifests itself under the appearance of a ball of dried leaves. If you put it in water, the ball will open within a few hours and change color. It is a notorious lucky charm that you can use to invoke love and money. It is also said to have the gift of absorbing all negative energies. Keep it in a dry, bright place.