A decoction of bay leaves - benefits and harms

The noble qualities of bay leaf were appreciated even in the times of Ancient Greece. Spice was used in culinary art to emphasize the taste of dishes and stimulate appetite in everyday life, medicine, cosmetology and at traditional cultural events. Bay leaf is not only a pleasant spicy aroma, but also cures of many ailments. How to use a decoction of bay leaf for healing - we will tell in more detail.

What is useful bay leaf

Laurel is a frost-resistant evergreen plant whose leaves are rich in essential oils and protective components. They accumulate tannins, antimicrobial and antiseptic substances, a number of minerals - zinc, potassium, magnesium, sodium, selenium, iron, copper, phosphorus, vitamins A, C, group B and PP. The leaf contains lauric, formic, butyric, caproic and acetic acid, phytosterols, linalool, as well as camphor.

Thanks to this, he is able to:

1. To disinfect and stop inflammatory processes.
2. Relieve swelling and normalize the water-salt balance in the body.
3. Strengthen muscle tone, relieve cramps and pain.
4. Eliminate traces of poisoning, remove toxins from the body and fasten the stool.
5. Lower cholesterol and normalize blood pressure.
6. Stimulate the liver.
7. Arouse a healthy appetite.
8. Strengthen the immune system and help the body fight colds and viruses.
9. Heal wounds.
10. Increase skin elasticity, strengthen nails and hair, restore skin immunity.
11. Normalize sleep and relieve fatigue.
12. To promote the production of male sex hormones, which are important in every body, for both men and women.

Laurel will help to quickly stimulate the recovery of the body, and support its defenses.

How to use a decoction of bay leaves

I use laurel broth or infusions for culinary purposes and pharmacology, as well as in cosmetics and everyday life. The leaf is different in that it almost does not lose its beneficial properties when heated, so it is boldly brewed with hot water, boiled and boiled to get a concentrated healing liquid.

Laurel from the joints
To relieve joint pain, stop inflammatory processes and remove salts for arthritis, arthrosis, gout, radiculitis and other diseases, drink the broth and use it for baths.

To soothe pain in the limbs, a thick broth is poured into warm water and the feet or fingers are warmed up. For elbows, knees and lower back do lotions and compresses for several hours.

You can also prepare an ointment: take melted butter and high-quality bay leaf chopped in a coffee grinder in a 2: 1 ratio. Soften the oil in a water bath to a warm state, fill in the raw materials and simmer over low heat for about half an hour. The drug is rubbed into problem areas daily for 2 weeks, after which it is worth taking a break.

Digestion Bay Leaf
To normalize the metabolism, remove toxins, lose weight, improve the absorption of beneficial components, eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea and remove toxins in case of poisoning, as well as stimulate the production of bile, cleanse the liver and awaken normal appetite, drink laurel broth in a glass a day for 3 days. They prepare it weak - 5 leaves of laurel per 1 liter of water. It is recommended to add a little cinnamon to the water and boil for 15 minutes. Do not combine the intake of such a decoction with alcohol!

It is due to the property to arouse the production of digestive juice, stimulate the digestive tract and normalize stools. Bay leaves are added to many culinary dishes and even given to children.

For heart and diabetes
Laurel broth is able to lower blood sugar, remove cholesterol and increase blood pressure. It also strengthens the heart muscle and blood vessel walls.

With mild forms of diabetes, they drink a decoction of 15 leaves per 1.5 tbsp. water, boiled for 5 minutes and infused for 3-4 hours. The course lasts 3 for, consume 50 ml several times a day. After treatment, a break of 2 weeks is mandatory.

Laurel for colds
To kill viruses, relieve swelling, remove excess fluid and toxins from the body, increase resistance and renewal of the body, relieve headache and normalize blood pressure, drink decoction from bay leaves: brew 8-10 leaves in a liter of water, boil for about 15 minutes and take 1 tbsp. 3 times a day for a week until the symptoms subside.

Laurel is rich in vitamin C and antiviral substances. It is used not only as an infusion for internal use, but also for gargling and inhalation. In the room where the person infected with airborne disease lives, leave the bay leaf crushed in a dish or on the litter, its open infusion or broth in hot form, or add the agent to the aroma lamp for disinfecting indoor air.

For skin treatment
Laurel is used for acne, black spots and irritation. It not only effectively cleanses the epidermis, tightening pores and soothing the skin, but also strengthens cells, accelerates their metabolism and recovery, helps to eliminate scars, maintain a healthy water balance, and also protects the skin from aggressive environmental influences, maintaining its tone.

Strong broth can be used for masks and face wash to get rid of acne and allergic reactions. A light infusion can be used as a tonic for every day or added to your regular lotion.

Bay leaf infusion for hair
To get rid of dandruff, awaken hair follicles and normalize hair growth, rinse hair without rinsing, massaging the scalp a little. The infusion will strengthen the hair and protect them from the weather.

You can apply a healing mask. 2 tbsp ground sheet you need to pour a small amount of boiling water to the state of slurry and insist 1 hour. Then combine with 2 tbsp. flower honey and apply on the scalp and hair. This mask is kept under a towel for 20 minutes, and then washed off with shampoo.

For abrasions and damage
To disinfect the skin, it is wiped with a decoction or infusion of bay leaf. Slightly damaged skin is washed with a drug, and large damaged areas are treated on the periphery. The leaf is able to relieve itching from insect bites, with allergies, eliminate the rash and manifestations of the fungus, accelerate healing, relieve redness and swelling.

In addition, a decoction of bay leaf is used to heal the oral cavity for burns, gingivitis, stomatitis and periodontal disease. Laurel is also able to eliminate bad breath associated with bacterial plaque.

At home

1. Laurel broth with lemon juice and zest can rinse dishes after the patient or his clothes to kill all traces of infection.
2. Also, laurel is able to remove unpleasant odors, for example, fish or putrid.
3. The leaves left in the closet scare away insects and kill viruses in the air.
4. Also, wiping the infusion of bay leaf and mint with a couple of drops of grapefruit oil under the armpit and foot, you can get rid of the smell of sweat.

It is interesting: in ancient Greece, it was customary to wash one's hands with laurel infusion before embarking on a meal. It killed germs and protected against eating disorders.

For sleep
To relieve headache, muscle spam, eliminate fatigue and overexcitation, improve sleep and normalize mood, drink broth, use cold and hot inhalations, for example, several leaves of laurel in a canvas bag can be put at the head of the bed to sleep peacefully and firmly all night.

In cooking
Bay leaf is added to meat and vegetable broths, broths and stews to stimulate appetite and the production of gastric juice, improve liver function, increase the palatability of dishes, as well as kill bacteria and extend the shelf life of quickly spoiled dishes. That is why it is also often added to marinades, pickles and preserves.

Can a decoction of laurel harm

Bay leaves rarely cause allergies, but be sure to make sure that you do not have intolerance to the remedy. If before the bay leaf did not cause you any food discomfort, try on the skin: rub in the fingers the leaf oil and apply on the wrist. If the juice did not cause a burning sensation and itching, you can begin to carefully take a decoction, monitoring your well-being.

In addition to allergy sufferers, a risk group consists of people in such conditions:

1. Women during pregnancy during menstruation. Laurel stimulates smooth muscle contractions, so it can increase bleeding, discomfort, and even provoke a miscarriage in case of an overdose.
2. People with urolithiasis and kidney failure. They should drink any diuretics strictly under the supervision of a doctor.
3. Patients with gastrointestinal tract pathologies. Essential oil and the active components of laurel can burn mucous membranes.
4. People suffering from constipation and hemorrhoids.
5. Patients with severe diabetes.

In all these cases, you can use laurel potions only after consulting with your doctor, when he will evaluate the individual picture of the patient's condition.

Can harm the bay leaf if you drink its decoction in uncontrolled quantities. This can provoke sharp changes in the body and lead to a strong reaction. Weak broth has a positive effect with external and internal use.

Video: decoction of bay leaves!