Plants offer a myriad of health benefits and contain significant therapeutic properties; in some cases, they can replace medical treatment. One of these plants is the laurel, which in addition to the flavor it brings to our dishes, it can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat and relieve several ailments.
Laurel is a plant native to the Mediterranean basin, whose scientific name is Laurus nobilis and found in almost all culinary dishes. Used as an infusion or to flavor our dishes, its medicinal virtues are well established. Laurel is very rich in antioxidants but it is also an antibacterial and antiseptic, low in calories and can replace salt in diets low sodium.
The bay leaves are rich in fiber but also in vitamins A, B, C, and minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. The caffeic acid, quercetin, catechin and eugenol they contain give them the role of an anti-cancer and can fight against leukemia and breast cancer.
Indeed, by its compounds, the bay leaves help stop the proliferation of cancer cells and inflammation of the liver, fight depression, and regulate high blood pressure. But the laurel has many other virtues for health.
Other benefits of laurel
With all the components it contains, the bay leaf has health benefits and thus makes it possible to treat or calm:
- Skin infections
- Arthritis
- Spasms
- Cystitis
- Headaches or migraines
- The pain related to the sciatic nerve
- Water retention
- Muscle fatigue
- Tiredness
- Otitis
- Premenstrual symptoms
- Snoring
- Bloating
- Muscle contractions
- Diabetes by regulating blood sugar
Laurel tea
A laurel infusion has a relaxing power, lowers blood pressure, relaxes muscles and eases sleep.
Ingredients
- 250 milliliters of water
- 6 dried bay leaves
Preparation
Boil the water in a saucepan, add the dried bay leaves and let them boil in the water for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, cover it and allow it to cool. Once the drink is cool, you can filter it and have a drink in the morning when you wake up, then another at bedtime.
Other remedies made from bay leaves
- The bay leaves help relieve muscle pain. To do this, boil 5 bay leaves in a liter of water and add this infusion to the water of your warm bath. Lie down in this water for about 15 minutes, for more efficiency.
- Laurel essential oil, which contains cineol, eugenol, geraniol and terpineol, helps reduce the pain of arthritis. For this, just rub some of this oil on the affected area.
- For hair without dandruff, rinse your hair with a laurel tea.
- To protect yourself from insects, keep bay leaves close to you. They will move them away quickly.
- To treat colds, flu, coughs and other respiratory conditions, apply a gauze soaked in hot laurel tea directly on the chest.
- For skin infections, laurel tea compresses are also effective, since laurel contains antibacterial and antifungal properties.
- To calm anxiety, you can burn a bay leaf. Indeed, by inhaling a leaf of this plant, you will immediately feel a soothing effect, which would come from its compound called "linalool".
Warnings
It is essential to ensure the type of laurel because the oleander is a toxic decorative plant unlike the laurel of Apollo or laurel sauce.
It is important to pay attention to the amount of laurel consumed because it causes drowsiness.
Bay leaves are also not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
They should be consumed with great moderation by people with kidney failure or heart disease. Moreover, because of their emetic effect when they are consumed in large quantities, it is advisable not to exceed the recommended doses.
