What Is Bay Leaf Used For: What Are Its Properties And Health Benefits?

Bay leaves are often used to prepare some stews or infusions. However, their greatest benefits are not exactly culinary, but rather curative.

The common laurel (also known as European or kitchen laurel) is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean.

The laurel has culinary, ornamental, and medicinal uses. According to various sources, its leaves were used in Ancient Rome to make the triumphal crowns of Roman emperors and generals. In many cultures, the laurel symbolizes victory and triumph.

What is bay leaf used for?

Bay leaves provide important nutrients for the human body. Nutritionist Evelyn Solórzano says that they contain iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and some B vitamins, although she clarifies that they are in low quantities.

The professional also mentions that bay leaf tea helps the heart and circulation, as it is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Regarding the use of this infusion, Rejopachi adds that it is beneficial for treating a lack of appetite, slow digestion, gastrointestinal pain, flatulence, and chronic bronchitis.

Maricelys Rodríguez, a pharmaceutical chemist, also mentions that bay leaves are beneficial for the digestive system, especially for disorders of this system, as well as for heartburn, reflux, constipation, and regulation of bowel movement, among others. Rodríguez also states that bay leaves have other benefits, among which are:

• Reducing blood sugar
• Treatment of the common cold and severe cough due to its vitamin C content
• Stroke prevention
• Elimination of LDL cholesterol known as “bad cholesterol” and triglycerides
• Useful for treating insomnia and anxiety
• Treatment of kidney stones and infections
• Inter alia

How to prepare bay leaf tea?

If you want to prepare a tea with bay leaves, you can use three to four leaves for each cup of water. As mentioned above, experts highlight the benefits of this hot drink for some digestive and respiratory system conditions and other healing properties.

Rejopachi recommends that to take advantage of its benefits, three to four cups of this infusion can be consumed daily. However, the doctor states that this plant is not recommended for people who suffer from gastritis, peptic ulcers, or chronic stomach pain.

Likewise, when it comes to laurel essential oil, the doctor states that excessive use of this product can cause photosensitivity in the patient, so special care must be taken when using it.

For this reason, before using bay leaves as a healing product, consult your doctor so that he or she can advise you better since he or she is the one who knows your medical history in depth.