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With the approach of autumn most of us also recall the phrase „flu season“. We do look forward to the colourful leaves of Indian summer and a different rhythm of nature that can take a breather after the hot summer, but the ubiquitous flu and various forms of colds unfortunately spoil this positive picture.
It is not just that the flu has unpleasant symptoms and can put us out of work and all other activities for several days, but in severe cases it truly endangers people’s health and lives.
If you are among those who regularly, sometimes even several times a year, fight colds or the flu, you may already have problems with the absorption and effectiveness of antibiotics and would prefer to try home recipes for healing ointments and emulsions that might help you first.
These recipes were already known to previous generations, who used the healing properties of bay leaf in them.
Bay leaf, also known as the leaf of the noble laurel, is used in dried form mainly as a spice with a pronounced aroma, which is especially suitable for soups, under meat, but also for preparing various sauces.
As for the use of laurel leaves for medicinal purposes, they are used in the form of essential aromatic oil or in powder form.
Healing emulsion from bay leaf
Older generations, who were more connected with nature than people of modern times, knew very well the healing effects of bay leaf and used an emulsion based precisely on laurel leaves to treat severe forms of colds or the flu.
And how can you prepare this emulsion yourself?
Take 10 dried bay leaves and pour over them 70% alcohol. Let it steep for one day and then pour the mixture into ½ litre of olive oil and heat gently. Be careful that this mixture does not come to a boil. You will obtain an ointment of a more liquid consistency, which after cooling you can use several times a day, especially on the neck, chest and temples.
Healing syrup from bay leaf
If a cough also troubles you during a cold or the flu, you can use a syrup to ease it, for the preparation of which you will need
- 250 g lemon juice
- 15 soaked bay leaves, and
- 500 g sugar.
Mix all the ingredients and simmer them over low heat for about 1 hour. Then you will obtain a thick syrup, remove the leaves from it and let it cool. Take the syrup daily, but only one tablespoon. Remember to store the syrup in the refrigerator.
