Bay leaves are the most found and one of the prevalent ingredients found in the kitchen. Superstitions and vibrant history around them speak Their importance. They come from the bay laurel tree, and these trees are dominantly found in Mediterranean regions. Apart from delivering a fresh taste, these leaves are incredibly nutritious and are sources of various vitamins. Consumption of these leaves has been proved beneficial in many ways as it has helped many people improve their health conditions.
Health benefits of Bay leaf
#1 Benefits in Weight loss
Because of Bay leaf’s antioxidant properties, it is very well known for its accelerating metabolic activities in the body. It helps in healing constipation and indigestion. The release of toxins out of the body helps in regulating your weight too! Therefore, bay leaf very efficiently benefits weight loss. In case you feel you have some excess fats in specific areas of your body, the best combination with bay leaf is cinnamon powder. You can make them into tea and drink at least 2 cups a day.
#2 Can be used for various skin treatments
If you feel that your skin appears to be excessively dry, applying some water infused with bay leaf. It will rejuvenate your skin. Bay leaf oil is also used for acne treatments. Here, the antibacterial properties of bay leaves prevent sebum formation, which is mainly responsible for the spread of infection. Apart from this, bay leaves can be used for various other skin treatments. Redness, inflammations, and normal itching can also be solved if you have a regular intake of bay leaves.
#3 Bay leaves have benefits for fertility
According to a few research studies, it has been found that bay leaves improve fertility. The consumption of leaves in regulated amounts is advised to enhance the characteristics of sperms. Also, the rich vitamin component found in bay leaves does promote the development of good health.
#4 Treats Insomnia!
This is one of the many excellent benefits of burning bay leaves. When you face difficulty sleeping, it is an indication that you are working up your body too much. Your brain does not relax and keeps you awake till late hours. The calming effect of bay leaves will benefit you for gaining some peaceful sleep. The best way of consumption is by adding a few drops of bay leaf essence to a glass of warm water or preparing bay leaf tea.
#5 Deals with diabetes
Insulin is the game changer component of diabetes. Insulin is responsible for carrying glucose to cells, and if it fails in doing so, the sugar accumulates in the body. The antioxidants in a bay leaf help in the production of insulin. Therefore, it becomes an effective remedy for Type 2 diabetic patients. Also, the polyphenol in bay leaves helps in regulating diabetes.
#6 Bay leaf aid in proper respiration
A specific preparation, which is the combination of Tulsi and bay leaves, helps provide treatments to people who have problems breathing. Being a traditional remedy, bay leaves are known to clear your respiratory tracts and make space for cleaner and fresher air. The components naturally attack diseases like cough and asthma.
#7 Bay leaves have nutritional and medicinal benefits
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are many more and imposing properties of bay leaves, which are worth knowing. They are rich sources of Vitamin A and C. They have potassium, calcium, and are also very useful in the treatment of migraine pains. They also improve our psychological health by providing a calming effect on anxieties. Because of active enzymes in it, it helps deal with indigestion by accelerating the breaking down of food.
How to make bay leaf tea?
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Culinary benefits of Bay leaves
- Because of the very relishing fragrance, bay leaves are used in recipes of soups and seafood plates. When these dishes are steamed with bay leaves in it, the essence naturally spreads to the taste.
- Surprisingly, bay leaves can add flavours to custards and puddings. Though it is a spice, you will love the taste that it delivers to sweet dishes. You can add them to milk when you are preparing the pudding!
- It becomes an added flavour to your chicken curries. The spice adds a taste to the chicken broth making it more delicious.
- Before the chicken is cooked, the vital process is marinating, and here is precisely where bay leaves will work wonders. With wines and oils, try adding bay leaves to the mixture and soak the meat.
