Bay leaf - medicinal properties and contraindications

During its centuries-old existence, the bay leaf has gained a huge number of fans and a good reputation. Basically, the leaves of this noble subtropical shrub are associated with the preparation of delicious dishes, although laurel was used in ancient times not only in culinary affairs.

Due to its unique composition, bay leaf is actively used in medicine. The therapeutic agents prepared on its basis help in the treatment of mild disorders and complex pathologies. Moreover, such methods are supported not only by traditional medicine, but are also recognized at the official level. Many components of laurel, for example, essential oils and volatile, are present in medicines manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry.

Special composition

Bay leaf has a very beneficial effect on the human body. And the huge usefulness of this representative of the plant world due to its unusual composition is explained.

Laurel leaves contain:

• the whole vitamin complex (PP, A, C);
• a set of necessary trace elements, among them zinc with magnesium, in a large amount of calcium;
• powerful volatile;
• amino acids useful to the body, including salicylates, blood thinners;
• tanning components;
• valuable essential oils;
• proteins with carbohydrates, as well as fats.

Such a truly impressive composition provides a lot of properties beneficial to human health.

The list of useful qualities of laurel

Bay leaf is able to exert a therapeutic effect and restore normal functions of many systems and organs.

1. Digestive system. Laurel increases appetite and generally favorably affects the digestion process due to its own enzymes that contribute to the breakdown of heavy foods. The result is a quick conclusion of the processed products in a natural way.
2. The immune system. Increases the body's resistance, saturating it with vitamins and minerals. Laurel is especially effective in the treatment of respiratory infections.
3. Musculoskeletal system. The use of compositions based on bay leaves activates the removal of excess salts from the body, localizes foci of inflammation, and relieves pain.
4. Genitourinary system and reproductive functions. Spice is equally beneficial for both women and men. Due to the presence of zinc in its composition, laurel maintains the level of sexual activity in men. In the female body, it due to vitamin B9 (folic acid) has beneficial effects on reproductive capabilities. Many women planning to conceive are advised to take medicinal formulations in which the main active ingredient is bay leaf. True, with the onset of pregnancy, it is necessary to completely stop the use of laurel, so as not to provoke a miscarriage.
5. The skin. Baths with the addition of a decoction of bay leaves help to cope even with psoriasis and severe types of dermatitis. The tool helps with local allergic reactions.

What diseases are treated with bay leaf

On the basis of bay leaf, decoctions and infusions are mainly prepared that help in the treatment of:

• arthrosis and arthritis, as well as many spinal problems;
• stomatitis and gingivitis;
• cholecystitis (provides the outflow of bile);
• nervous disorders (soothing effect);
• hypertension, even in severe form (helps to stabilize blood pressure);
• swelling;
• wounds and bruises (relieves pain, disinfects the wound surface, if the wound is open);
• hemorrhoids (stops bleeding, relieves swelling);
• colitis, enterocolitis.

In addition, bay leaf is constantly used as a powerful antiseptic and insecticide. This spice is an excellent antioxidant, and therefore quite often medicinal formulations are used to cleanse the body of toxins.

Other applications

Medical cosmetology
Bay leaf has long been widely used in cosmetology. On its basis, various cleansing and nourishing products are produced on an industrial scale. Thanks to a unique set of essential oils and phytoncides in the laurel, it is possible to solve the following skin problems:

• eliminate acne;
• get rid of youthful acne;
• smooth small wrinkles;
• neutralize dandruff;
• get rid of age spots;
• strengthen hair structure.

Laurel oil, which is found in large quantities in this spice, softens the skin and eliminates dryness. And vitamin "A" stimulates the regeneration of problem areas, thus providing a rejuvenating effect.

Body cleansing
Laurel is best suited for gentle detoxification of the body. Healing formulations without damage to health remove excess salts, toxins and other decay products. Along with cleansing, normalization of the body's metabolic functions occurs.

Weight loss
It has already been mentioned above that laurel has a pronounced diuretic effect. This property of spicy leaf is widely used for mild weight loss. When excess fluid is removed from the body, unnecessary kilograms leave. This technique is very effective if it is strictly followed and combined with a specially designed diet. Otherwise, the weight will quickly return to its previous state.

Under what conditions is it not recommended to use laurel

Of course, the beneficial properties of bay leaves have a beneficial effect on human health. This cannot be denied. But at the same time, the laurel in some situations can manifest itself on the negative side. Therefore, you should very carefully approach its use for medicinal purposes. And it is best to insure yourself against unexpected consequences and consult a doctor.

Bay leaf is contraindicated:

• persons who have previously had a hypersensitivity to this spice;
• expectant mothers and nursing women;
• people suffering from constipation;
• patients with peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
• those who are diagnosed with urolithiasis and other renal pathologies;
• people with poor blood coagulation;
• diabetics.

Important: It is strictly forbidden to season with bay leaf dishes intended for food of children of the first three years of life.

Useful folk recipes

Bay leaf is one of the most popular products donated by nature itself. Traditional healers always use it; representatives of traditional medicine also do not deny its ability to have a healing effect. For home treatment, several simple, but very effective recipes are quite suitable.

Composition for bathing newborns
The skin of babies is very vulnerable and susceptible to various infections. To prevent allergic manifestations and the appearance of sweating, diaper rash, it is recommended to bathe the baby with the addition of a laurel broth. The solution is prepared before the water treatment in about two hours. To do this, you need to fill in only two leaves of laurel ½ liter of water, and put the solution to boil. After five minutes of boiling, the treatment composition cools and is carefully filtered. All received volume is added to the baby bath before bathing. The concentrated solution can be used for external use: problematic areas should be treated with a cotton swab dipped in it with sweating in a child.

Bay oil
It is very effective in many conditions, it’s easy to cook on your own. The basis of the healing composition is vegetable oil. Any product will be absolute, but it is still advisable to use good quality oil. It will take only one glass of oil, which is first slightly warmed up to about 50 degrees. When the base warms up to the desired temperature, it must immediately be filled with pre-prepared ground laurel leaves (40 g). The mixture should be well infused, it will take about 10 days. Store the composition in a place protected from direct light. At the end of the specified period, the composition is well filtered. The product obtained in this way can be used:

• with pain in the joints;
• to combat pressure sores;
• as an antiseptic;
• with injuries to alleviate the condition of the victim;
• with colds.

For the treatment of sinusitis
In inflammatory processes of the sinuses, traditional healers advise using laurel oil, the recipe of which is given above. But you can prepare a means for inhalation. For a useful procedure, you will need only 10 medium-sized sheets that need to be crushed to a powdery state. Pour the plant mass with plain water and put on fire. The healing solution should boil over a low heat for a quarter of an hour, then it is removed from the stove, and the procedure is carried out.

For the convenience of the treatment process, it is better to pour the finished composition into a small basin, put the patient over a stream of steam no closer than 50-60 cm (so that the person does not receive a burn instead of treatment). To prevent steam from escaping, create a “bathing effect” by wrapping a towel around the patient’s head and shoulders. Usually, after the first inhalation from the sinuses, an active outflow of purulent discharge begins. The procedure should be repeated until complete recovery.

Decoction of laurel with fungal infection of the nails
To get rid of such an unpleasant problem as a fungus, you need to prepare the following ingredients: bay leaf - 30 g, water - 200 ml. Combining the two components in one container, you need to boil the resulting mixture for a couple of minutes, and then insist for 3 hours. The product obtained in such a simple way is used for evening baths. The therapeutic effect is observed after several procedures.

Home Acne Lotion
A solution prepared on the basis of alcohol helps to cope with skin problems. For these purposes, ordinary vodka is more suitable. However, in the treatment in this way there is a risk of drying the skin. This feature must be taken into account. For the preparation of lotion, 5 leaves are enough. They must be well chopped, pour vodka (1 cup). After three days of infusion, the mixture is ready for use. Using a cotton pad, problem areas of the face are processed. This drug copes well with the effects of pressure sores in lying patients. You can use the infusion for grinding with rheumatism.

As you can see, the range of application of bay leaf is very wide. Remaining the permanent leader in taste in culinary art, this spice really helps people to heal even from the most serious diseases. But you must always remember that only with reasonable use, any drug, including alternative methods, will have a positive effect.

Video: secret properties of bay leaf