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.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/    

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Amla or Indian gooseberry- the best Ayurvedic medicine to control high blood sugar at home

Many people living with diabetes are now turning to complementary and alternative medicine, including Ayurvedic medications, to control their blood sugar and avoid complications that may be caused by this condition. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of healing, has evolved over the years and is now widely for treating a number of health problems. Amla, or Indian gooseberry, (scientific name Emblica Officinalis) is a powerful herb extensively used in Ayurvedic preparations to treat several chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes in Ayurveda.

A traditional part of Indian medicine, amla is generally recommended by practitioners as a general health tonic. It is claimed that regular consumption of the berry can help boost the immune system, detoxify the body, and slow down ageing, mainly due to its high antioxidant content. What’s even more, amla is low in calories yet high in vitamin C, which is essential for repairing of pancreatic tissues and weight reduction - an added bonus for diabetics. According to Ayurveda, eating the fruit on a daily basis can help normalise metabolism and check the accumulation of fat, which aids in weight loss.

Amla (Indian gooseberry) for diabetes: How does it work?

Research studies have brought to light the potential anti-diabetic effects of amla. One study using amla extracts on diabetic animals showed that the berry can cause blood glucose to drop. Also, another study on diabetic rats suggested that amla juice may help treat certain health problems common in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Furthermore, a 2011 study found that people - with or without diabetes - who took amla fruit powder developed a significant decrease in both fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels, indicating that the Indian gooseberry may effectively help in managing diabetes. The Indian gooseberry also contains chromium that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and may make the body more responsive to insulin, which in turn helps to keep blood sugar at a healthy range.

The researchers suggested that amla is also an effective traditional remedy to prevent pancreatitis.

How to use Amla (Indian gooseberry) to control blood sugar and diabetes

One of the best ways to use the Indian gooseberry in managing your blood sugar is to consume one raw amla once in a day. If you find the taste too sour, try sipping a glass of water right after eating the fruit to give you a sweet aftertaste.

Another way is to dry the amla pulp, grind it into a fine powder and incorporate it into your diabetes diet. You can mix the amla powder with water or fresh lime juice, or even sprinkle it on fruits like papaya to get a tart flavour.

To make amla juice, just remove the seed, crush the pulp and extract the juice. Try to consume the juice about 5-10 ml daily to control high blood sugar and help you maintain a healthy weight. However, make sure that you do not use processed forms of amla, especially those that have added sugar because they can affect your blood sugar levels.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

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