Laurel is known by its scientific name of Laurus nobilis and by other names such as Laurel Laurel, laurel or laurel of Apollo. He is known by all professionals and food lovers; it brings taste and flavor to our dishes and is very popular in kitchen. This aromatic green herb provides not only flavor and intensity to our meals to make them memorable but also a lot of health benefits. Let's discover the various benefits of laurel.
The bay leaves have various medicinal properties both internally and externally.
These leaves are also used for the purposes of herbal medicine.
The active ingredients of the laurel
Laurel contains 30% pure essential oil. Its use is also coveted in pharmacology to take advantage of isoquinoleic alkaloids and sesquiterpene lactones it contains, which are known for their anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, the bay contains flavonoids, cineole, linalool, a-terpineol, eugenol. All these active ingredients give the laurel antiseptic, antibacterial and improve vascular health.
Benefits of the laurel
Thanks to all the active principles of the laurel, our health is improved. It strengthens the regeneration of the body and allows to act on several ailments:
1. Anxiety and fatigue
Burning a bay leaf helps reduce anxiety and fatigue. Its combustion diffuses an essential oil that contains pinene, cineol and elemicine which have a considerable soothing impact, to regulate the nervous system.
2. Respiratory system
Laurel stimulates the airways and has an expectorant property to dislodge mucus from the lungs, thanks to sesquiterpene lactones including costunolide, which is known to be a potent mucolytic. Applied as a poultice, the leaves of the bay can reduce fever in case of colds, sinusitis and bronchitis.
3. Pain and Joint Inflammation
Eugenol and methyl eugenol as well as isoquinoleic alkaloids and sesquiterpenic lactones have an anti-inflammatory property and act as an analgesic for joint pain. Simply make a poultice with crushed bay leaves and apply them on the painful area or put some leaves of this plant in your bathtub. This last method soothes the pain in addition to relaxing the whole body.
4. Immune system and infections
Laurel has a content of cineole, linalool, eugenol, alpha pinene and beta-pinene that strengthen the body's immune system and fight against bacterial infections. Its antioxidant power helps counteract free radicals and restore strength and vitality to the body. Remember to introduce it into your dishes and salads to benefit from these benefits
5. Diabetes
In an article published by Agricultural University of Peshawar in Pakistan and the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center of the US Department of Agriculture, (USDA), it was found the effectiveness of the therapeutic effect of laurel on the Diabetes of type 2 and even cholesterol. Laurel has the ability to lower blood sugar levels through its phytocidal content. For this reason, it is best to use fresh bay leaves instead of dry leaves. Indeed, these last lose their medicinal compounds and disintegrate. The study showed that consuming only 3 grams of bay leaf daily for 30 days can lower glucose levels and reduce the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Simply infuse the above-mentioned amount of leaves laurel in a glass of boiling water for 12 to 24 hours, even during the night. Consume this infusion half an hour before meals.
6. Digestion
The bay leaf boosts the digestive system. Prepared in herbal tea, the bay leaves facilitate digestion and reduce spasms and flatulence. You can also rub the laurel oil on your stomach after the meal to promote the secretion of digestive juices, enzymes and bile.
7. Heart health
The Higher Education Commission of the North West Frontier Province Agricultural University (NWFP) in Peshawar has also demonstrated that the organic compounds of the bay tree help strengthen the capillary tissues of the heart, reduce the system's bad cholesterol cardiovascular and reduce triglycerides.
Warnings
- Laurel leaves, used in high doses can become toxic and are contraindicated in pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
- They should be used sparingly especially in cases of heart disease and kidney failure.
- The bay can have a vomiting effect if used in large quantities. It is essential to respect the indicated doses.
- It is essential not to confuse the laurel sauce or laurel of Apollo with the oleander, which is a decorative and non-culinary plant and can be highly toxic or even deadly.
