8 Vital Health Benefits of Bay Leaves
I
often buy bay leaves for Indian recipes, which always seem to call for
whole leaves to flavor the dishes. I never really knew much more about
the plant though, so I was quite taken aback to learn of how many
wonderful health benefits can be gained from using bay leaves. They can
help detoxify our bodies, slow down aging, increase the speed our wounds
heal, improve heart health and even help prevent cancer.
Here
are 8 stunning benefits that we could all do with since we probably
already have bay leaves in our kitchen cabinets just waiting to be used!
Bay leaves (laurus nobilis)
The
first thing to ascertain when using bay leaves is whether you have the
correct species. Many different varieties of bay exist, some of which
are inedible. You want to make absolutely sure that you are using the plant known as laurus nobilis. This
Latin name means 'noble laurel', and is a reminder of the laurel crown
that would be awarded for victors in chariot races, sporting events and
literary competitions in the ancient world. The bay tree is native to
the Mediterranean nations and has been used medicinally as well as in
food since classical times.
Note: All
the health benefits described in this article pertain to preventative
measures you might take to keep yourself healthy. If you suffer from any
of these medical conditions already, please consult with your doctor
before radically changing your diet to include more bay leaves.
The health benefits of bay leaves
1. Digestive health benefits
Lots of our modern diet is full of complex proteins that we can't easily digest, but bay leaves can help facilitate digestion,
enabling us to take in nutrients, due to their
unique enzymes. Amazingly, bay leaves can decrease the body's toxicity
by stimulating urination or vomiting (when you've eaten something
toxic). Due to their organic compounds, bay leaves can settle upset
stomachs, reduce Celiac symptoms and ease irritable bowel syndrome
symptoms.
2. Respiratory health benefits
Bay
leaves contain vapors that can loosen up phlegm and get rid of trapped
bacteria in our respiratory tracts because of their antibacterial
properties. All you need to do is apply bay leaves to your chest to reap
the benefits. Do this either by making a salve with essential oil
from bay leaves or make a poultice from the leaves themselves and hang
it about your neck overnight. Inhaling the vapors will do you a world of
good.
3. Hair health benefits
Bay
leaves contain such volatile ingredients and chemicals that they offer a
powerful remedy for dry skin and dandruff. Simply steep some leaves in
water and apply to your scalp after shampooing your hair, rubbing
deeply. This will both eliminate dandruff and also be beneficial for
your hair follicle health.
4. Anti-inflammatory benefits
Bay
leaves contain parthenolide, a phytonutrient which is able to reduce
irritation and inflammation if applied topically. However, just by
consuming bay leaves you can gain this soothing benefit, reducing inflammation throughout your body.
5. Heart health benefits
Bay leaves contain two separate organic compounds that can really give your heart's health a
significant boost. Rutin is able to fortify the heart's and body's
extremities' capillary walls. While caffeic acid is able to remove 'bad'
cholesterol from your cardiovascular system.
6. Cancer prevention
Bay
leaves are particularly suited to preventing free radicals which can,
unfortunately, change healthy cells into cancerous cells. Bay leaves
contain a wonderful mixture of antioxidants and compounds that enable
this anti-cancerous procedure, and they include parthenolide, Linalool,
catechins, and phytonutrients.
7. Stress & anxiety remedy
Stress and anxiety over a prolonged period can dangerously affect your health, and bay
leaves are very good at calming and relaxing you when you feel
especially stressed out. These naturally soothing leaves contain
linalool, which is able to lower the stress hormone. The same effect can
also be taken from the wonder herbs, thyme and basil.
8. Manage diabetes
Both for people who are considered to be at risk of becoming diabetic and for those already suffering from diabetes,
bay leaves offer extra hope. It has been suggested that regular bay
leaf consumption may lower the chances of diabetic episodes from
occurring, because bay leaves have been associated with patients'
better-regulated blood sugar levels and increased insulin receptor
functionality.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE
HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
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Labels: anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiety, bay leaf, boosts heart health, detox, diabetes, digestion, hair, manage, prevents, prevents free radicals, respiratory, slow down ageing, stress
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