Bay Leaves Health Benefits
Bay leaves can be considered as one of the most common plants in the world, because of its wide range of uses and health benefits.
Bay leaf is also known as ‘Bay Laurel’ or ‘Laurus nobilis’ was widely cultivated all around the world because of its versatility. Laurel trees usually grow in tropical climate countries, but changes in climate shrunk the natural growth of this plant.
Laurel is very popular worldwide for its culinary purposes, because of its distinctive taste and aroma. It is commonly used as a spice in cooking soups, stews and other cuisines such as the famous Filipino dish called “Adobo.”
Aside from cooking purposes, laurel leaf was traditionally used by ancient people as herbal medicine because of its medicinal properties.
It contains vitamins A, B, C, E, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine. It also contains minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and potassium.
Iron helps the body for the production of red blood cells, while potassium reduces the risk of stroke, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular diseases. Lauric acid in the bay leaf can be also used as insect repellent.
Laurel leaf can reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, high-blood pressure, and high-cholesterol levels. It can also boost the immune system, increases the cognitive ability, can cure joint pains and varicose veins, and calms the nervous system.
Here are some steps how to obtain laurel oil from bay leaf:
Bay Leaves
- 30 grams of bay leaves
- 250 ml of olive oil
Procedure:
Put the bay leaves in a bowl and grind it using your hands or mortar. Crush it until it releases a light oil until the leaves become dry. After crashing the leaves, introduce them from the oil they have produced, then add the olive oil. Cover it and keep it in a cool, dry place for two weeks before usage.