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Bay leaf or laurel belongs among those types of spices, which are found in almost every household. It is a popular ingredient in many dishes and we cannot imagine, for example, preparing beloved homemade sauerkraut without it. Many of us, however, have no idea what bay leaf can be used for and what huge health benefits it has for our health.
Healing effects of the bay leaf
Let’s now take a closer look at the treatment of which illnesses we can use bay leaf for:
- skin infections
- arthritis and rheumatism
- cramps
- cystitis
- high blood pressure
- migraines and headaches
- sciatic nerve problems
- swelling and fluid retention in the limbs
- muscular and mental exhaustion
- lack of energy and fatigue
- otitis (ear inflammations) and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra)
- premenstrual syndrome
- insomnia, snoring
- bloating, digestive problems and abdominal pain
- depression
- contractions of nerves and muscles
To get rid of or prevent the listed health complications, it’s enough that you drink bay leaf tea.
Recipe for bay leaf tea
You need: 15 bay leaves, 3 dl of water and a small pot
Put the bay leaves into the pot, pour water over them and bring to a boil. When the water starts to boil, let them boil for 12 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the bay leaves steep for another three hours. After three hours, strain the tea and remove the bay leaves. Drink this infused tea slowly and gradually throughout the day. With this cure it’s best to start between 7 – 8 in the morning and by evening 19 – 20 you will have gradually drunk the whole tea. You must not drink this tea at once! 1 small sip per hour, no more; drinking it in large amounts will thin your blood, which can be very dangerous. Repeat such a cure after three days, then only once more the next week and then not until two months later. T his tea should be drunk during: loss of appetite, joint pains or if you want to do a targeted detox.
What else bay leaf tea offers
Besides the already mentioned health benefits, bay leaf tea will also provide you with vitamin A and the minerals magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron.
To relieve rheumatic pains, in addition to drinking the tea, massage the affected joints with olive oil in which you allow crushed bay leaves to steep for a week .
To get rid of dandruff, rinse your head with a decoction of bay leaf. If you suffer from diabetes, drinking the tea will help regulate blood sugar levels.
In summer, placing bay leaves around the house will help keep mosquitoes at bay.
You can also use it to alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery from the flu, rhinitis, colds and other respiratory problems. Compresses made from the decoction applied directly to the chest are commonly used for this purpose.
You can likewise use compresses in the treatment of skin infections, acne, rashes and eczema, because bay leaf has fairly strong antibacterial effects .
Contraindications and final warning
Pregnant women must completely avoid bay leaf (and especially its decoction and tea). A detoxifying decoction can, in case of overdose, cause serious health problems, even life-threatening bleeding .
