7 Things Bay Leaves Are Good For

Bay leaves are a source of many good nutrients. But remember to use dried leaves as fresh leaves can be poisonous.

Laurel leaves (or Laurus nobilis ) are a plant that can be used as a spice and which gives extra flavor to meat, soups and simmering dishes. Bay leaves are good for you in several different ways.

You may already have bay leaves at home in the closet. Then just get them used, because here are some of the things that bay leaves are good for:

1. Laurel leaves can be relaxing

Bay leaves can be used in incense. Laurel incense gives an aroma that is relaxing for both body and mind.

However, be careful about using incense often, because it is unhealthy for the lungs to inhale smoke – no matter what scent it has.

Try laurel incense as a way to relax every now and then, after a particularly stressful day, or when you want to pamper yourself.

2. Bay leaves are mildly antiseptic

Bay leaves contain eugenol – a compound that has a mild antiseptic and analgesic effect.

Although bay leaves cannot be used as an antibiotic per se, eugenol is often used in commercial medicine. For example, it is used in conjunction with zinc oxide by the dentist for fillings and cements.

3. They strengthen the immune system

Bay leaves contain important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that your body needs. When your body functions optimally, the immune system is strengthened at the same time.

You can use bay leaves in your cooking along with other healthy foods to strengthen your body from within.

4. Laurel leaves may possibly help diabetics

According to research results from the USA, bay leaves may possibly prevent and alleviate type 2 diabetes.

The researchers gave a group of diabetics bay leaf capsules for a period of 30 days. The study showed that diabetics’ serum glucose and cholesterol were lower after the 30 days than in the control group.

5. Bay leaves are good for the respiratory system

Hot fumes have an expectorant and soothing effect on clogged airways. Try putting a few bay leaves in a bowl of boiling water, and breathe in the fumes.

Many people feel that the bay leaf vapors provide extra relief and that the mucus loosens faster than if you just used a normal steam bath.

How to make your own laurel oil

Ingredients

1 teaspoon dried bay leaves (5 g)
200g sweet almond oil

Tools

1 airtight glass jar that can hold 200 ml

Course of action

Wash the glass container thoroughly.
Place the bay leaves in the container. Make sure they are completely clean.
Pour the sweet almond oil over the leaves.
Close the jar and let it stand for 40 days.

You can use laurel oil for that

Use laurel oil as a moisturizer

Laurel oil can act as a healthy and natural moisturizer. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – perfect for giving your skin the care it needs.

In addition, it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, it is perfect if you want to keep your skin clean and counteract the free radicals.

Make a steam bath with bay leaves

Nothing is more needed than a hot steam bath if the nose and throat are stopped.

As we wrote earlier, you can use bay leaves in your steam room to loosen the mucus when you have a cold. You can also apply bay leaf oil to your breast – it is said to have the same soothing effect.

Bay leaves have a muscle-relaxing effect

Laurel leaves are said to have a muscle-relaxing effect, although this has not been scientifically proven.

Bay leaves can be used for many other things than as a spice. So if you have some bay leaves at home, remember to use them in cooking, or make a nice soothing steam bath with them the next time you are sick.