Bay leaf treatment. Proven recipes, applications, reviews

Bay leaf treatment often shows results comparable to medications. When used correctly, according to proven recipes, it does not cause side effects and has very few contraindications. In addition, this popular seasoning is always at hand. Bay leaf potential as a medicinal plant can come in handy at any time.

Peculiarities

Laurus nobilis is the generic name for Laurus noble in Latin. It is believed to have originated from the Celtic words "green" and "noble." The concepts "laureate", "laurels", "crowned with laurels" come from this evergreen plant.

Since the days of Ancient Greece, when the heads of the winners were decorated with wreaths of fragrant leaves, the plant was considered sacred. Its never-fading leaves symbolized longevity, endurance, nobility.

Also, the medicinal properties of leaves have been known since ancient times - the ability to treat nervous, intestinal disorders, poisoning with poisons. In the Middle Ages in Europe, they tried to stop the plague with laurel.

Botanical description

Laurel noble is a tall shrub or tree native to the subtropical climate of Asia Minor and the Caucasus. Today the plant is cultivated throughout the subtropics, on both sides of the equator. In Russia, laurel is cultivated exclusively in the south of the Krasnodar Territory and in the Crimea. Natural raw materials are also supplied from the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The plant is a shrub or tree with smooth bark and brown shoots. An adult plant is capable of reaching a height of 15 meters. Moreover, the life of laurel often exceeds 100 years. There is evidence of 400-year-old plants.

Only the crown of laurel is well leafy. The growing shoots independently form a pyramidal shape. Laurel flowers are small, yellow, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Until the moment of flowering, the umbrellas are covered with scaly wrappers. Most often, laurel has male and female flowers, dioecious plants are less common.

What parts are used for medicinal purposes

Practically all parts of the plant are applicable for medicinal purposes, even the roots and bark. But most often leaves and fruits are used as medicinal raw materials. The green part is used as a spice or decoctions are prepared. Healing oil is obtained from ripe fruits.

Bay leaves are simple, whole-edged, sit on shoots alternately, on short petioles. The shape of the plates is elliptical or lanceolate, narrowed towards the base. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green, smooth. The lower part of the plates is slightly lighter.

After ripening, drupes are dark blue, elliptical in shape, no more than 2 cm long. There is a large bone inside the dense pulp. Laurel fruits ripen in October or early November.

Collection

Treatment with bay leaves is recommended by proven recipes only if high-quality raw materials are available.

Signs that the plant is properly harvested:

• the optimal time for collecting leaves is July, early August;
• leaves are cut only from plants over 2 years old;
• the color of the plates is uniform, without spots;
• leaves are large, whole - they contain more active substances and essential oils.

The bay leaf color should remain green even after drying. Raw materials with a brown color are considered unsuitable even for culinary use.

The leaves are harvested by hand, plucking one at a time, choosing young, but large specimens. Harvesting with whole shoots is possible. In this case, an increase of about 50 cm is cut off along the entire circumference of the crown. This preparation does not harm the laurel. Obrazka stimulates additional branching of shoots.

How to prepare

Fatty healing oil is obtained from seeds by pressing. The finished product has a greenish tint and a pronounced odor. Bay oil can be purchased at pharmacies or on sites dedicated to traditional healing and healthy eating.

Self-harvested leaves or shoots are easy to dry at home. Raw materials tolerate drying in the oven, microwave oven, the main thing is not to exceed the temperature of 50 ° C. This preparation takes about 4 hours. Drying of bay leaves at room temperature is possible.

Procurement process:

1. Raw materials are washed with running water.
2. Spread the leaves on paper napkins and dry.
3. Transfer the leaves to a sieve or any mesh surface.
4. Leave the raw material to dry completely in a place protected from direct sunlight.
5. Shoots can be hung in small bunches in a dry room.

The readiness of the leaves for storage is determined by the fragility of the plates. They should remain fairly elastic, but break when you try to fold them in half. Dried raw materials begin to crumble.

Bay leaf, unlike other aromatic herbs, practically does not lose essential oils when dried. But it is better to store finished raw materials in an airtight container. Shoots can be packed in cloth bags or cardboard boxes.

Compound

The chemical composition of bay leaves is quite varied. Aromatic compounds, bitterness, tannins responsible for the characteristic, spicy taste and smell - these are far from all the valuable substances of the plant.

Vitamins	Micro and macro elements	Aromatic substances	Other active substances
BUT; WITH; PP; group B	Magnesium; Phosphorus; Calcium; Potassium; Selenium; Manganese	Linalool; Camphor; Cineol; Limonene; Pinen; Myrcene	Fatty oil; Phytosterols; Melissa alcohol; Luaran hydrocarbon; Tannins; Mucus, starch, sugar

Valuable fatty oil accounts for up to 25% of the total mass of the fruit. It has a greenish color due to a small amount of chlorophyll. The pomace contains valuable fats: linoleic and palmitic acids.

Most of the essential oil is in laurel leaves (about 3%). It has a light texture and a yellowish color. In the composition of fragrant oil, almost half is cineole - a powerful, natural antiseptic, decongestant, healing substance.

Medicinal and useful properties

The complex composition of bay leaves acts on the body in a complex. No single substance has such healing properties.

The natural balance of the laurel constituents provides it with the following medicinal properties:

• natural antiseptic;
• antispasmodic, relaxant;
• a blood purifier;
• expectorant for any type of cough;
• antidote to many plant and animal poisons, chemical and biological toxins;
• dilating blood vessels;
• antineoplastic;
• antihypertensive;
• anesthetic, sedative;
• gently lowering blood glucose levels;
• an enhancer of fermentation, secretion and all digestive processes.

Bay leaf treatment (proven recipes remove toxins, salts, poisons, excess fluid from the body) facilitates the course of many diseases: from joint pathologies to infections. There are features of the use of bay leaves for different ages, as well as gender.

For women

The peculiarity of using bay leaves for women is associated with its ability to weaken the tone of smooth muscles. Thus, taking broths relieves spasms and reduces pain during painful menstruation. Bay leaf helps to eliminate mood swings, relieve nervousness during PMS or menopause.

However, the presence of a large amount of salicylates does not allow the use of bay leaves in therapeutic doses during pregnancy. During gestation, the herbal remedy can cause bleeding or provoke premature birth.

Nursing women are also advised to use decoctions and infusions only externally. Using lavrushka in culinary recipes, where 1-2 leaves are added to the entire dish, is not capable of harm during pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Sometimes the manifestation of an allergy to bay leaves in infants is noted. In this case, it is completely excluded from the diet of a nursing mother.

For men

The rapid antitoxic effect of bay litas is beneficial for people associated with hazardous industries. The herbal remedy cleanses the blood, enhances the overall metabolism and has a diuretic effect. Thus, harmful substances are quickly eliminated from the body.

Other benefits of bay leaves for men:

• relieves pain and muscle spasms from intense physical exertion;
• is used for prevention, and also enhances the effect of official treatment of the reproductive system;
• has a hemostatic, bactericidal effect, cleans and heals wounds, including purulent ones.

The general strengthening effect of taking bay leaves is combined with a slight sedative effect and vasodilation. Such properties are useful for maintaining potency.

For children

Although bay leaf is considered a safe condiment, it is not used in the diet of children under 3 years of age. After this age, it is allowed to include in the child's diet dishes according to standard recipes with a small amount of spice. Treatment with concentrated formulations is not carried out until 5 years.

Young children are shown the external use of decoctions of bay leaves for wounds, cuts, for treating boils, for various skin diseases. The plant is especially valued for the disinfection and healing of skin lesions with secondary infection.

For the treatment of the skin of babies, bay leaf is used in moderation, in the form of rubdowns, lotions, washings. It is undesirable to add decoctions to bath water. This treatment helps soothe itching from insect bites or severe diathesis.

After 5 years of age, home remedies from the plant can be taken orally. For coughs, infectious diseases, sore throat, standard infusions or decoctions of bay leaf, diluted in half, are recommended. The same formulations are used to rinse the throat and mouth. A few tablespoons of the product a day helps to strengthen the stool and improve digestion.

Teenagers with age-related skin problems are advised to take bay leaves inside, use decoctions for washing. The essential oil is applied to the lesions with acne or boils.

Potential harm

Treatment with bay leaves, proven recipes are advised to start with a visit to the doctor. The strong effect of the formulations may not work well with some medications. It can be unsafe to supplement official treatments with homemade lavrushka remedies on your own.

When treating infectious diseases, internal inflammations or abscesses, side effects may occur after the first few doses. Sometimes there is a slight increase in temperature, chills, dizziness. This indicates the action of the bay leaf. Such effects do not require correction and go away on their own.

Traditional healers note another feature of lavrushka therapy. Before the course, to cleanse the joints, it is imperative to cleanse the intestines. If this is not done, allergic symptoms or intoxication may occur.

For elderly patients, decoctions inside are prescribed with caution, given the contraindications. Any course of treatment should be started with small doses, gradually increasing the amount to the recommended one and monitoring the condition.

Contraindications

Bay leaf is used with caution if you are allergic to any spices or herbs. After taking the first, minimum dose, the symptoms are monitored for about 2 hours. Laurel essential oil is a strong allergen. If an individual intolerance is found, therapy is canceled.

Doctors call the following diseases contraindications:

• hyperacid gastritis, ulcerative lesions of the stomach or intestines;
• renal or hepatic impairment;
• acute phases of cholecystitis, pancreatitis;
• gallstones;
• frequent constipation;
• violation of protein metabolism.

Bay leaf preparations are used with caution in case of blood coagulation disorders, in the presence of inflammatory processes. Treatment with alcohol intake is absolutely incompatible.

Traditional medicine recipes

Bay leaf treatment proven recipes are recommended for paralysis, tumors, articular pathologies, rheumatic disorders. Even with gallstone disease and cholecystitis, which medicine calls among the contraindications, traditional healers advise using decoction treatment, starting with minimal doses.

In emergency situations with cuts, wounds, hornets, wasps, bees, snakes bites, it is enough to chew a laurel leaf and apply it to the wound. Traditional medicine knows many more ways to use the healing potential of the popular spice.

Homemade forms of bay leaf preparation:

Infusion	10 g of crushed raw materials are poured into 250 ml of boiling water. Leave for 3 hours in a thermos. Strain and drink throughout the day	The maximum amount of infusion inside is 300 ml. The usual course assumes 150 ml per day. Large doses can be drunk for no more than 3 days in a row
Decoction	5 g of crushed leaves are warmed up in 300 ml of water until boiled in half. Then it is filtered and diluted to the previous volume	Drink during the day in small sips. Used externally as lotions, washing. Store the broth in the refrigerator
Tincture	Strong vodka and laurel leaves are measured in a 5: 1 ratio. Insist for at least 7 days in a dark place.	Used for spot moxibustion, as rubbing for rheumatism. For skin care, dilute with water 1 in 10
Oil extract	Fresh leaves are used to obtain laurel oil. For 30 g of green raw materials, take 200 ml of any vegetable oil. Insist for a week at room temperature	Used for paralysis for rubbing, for massage with muscle spasms, for aging skin care, to prevent stretch marks and wrinkles

Since the time of Hippocrates, medical treatises have mentioned the use of the laurel tree. The oil was used to relieve muscle spasms, tics, tetanus. Leaves soothed birth pains, got rid of kidney stones, relieved fever, and cured paralysis.

The essential oil obtained from laurel was used to stop the spread of epidemics in the Middle Ages. Plants used smoke to scare off ants and mosquitoes. A greasy extract was used for scabies. Modern folk medicine has preserved and supplemented the list of recipes.

Slimming

Spicy leaves perfectly stimulate metabolic processes due to aromatic oils and butyric acid. Therefore, laurel is advised to use for weight loss. Its diuretic effect, as well as its ability to remove toxins from the body, contribute to healthy weight loss.

Bay leaf infusions, taken against a background of diet and increased physical activity, provide a mild, gradual effect. This weight loss is accompanied by general improvement and cleansing of the body.

Overwork

To relieve nervous tension and relax, it is enough to burn a laurel leaf in the room and breathe in its fragrant smoke. The essential oils released from burning have a soothing effect without causing drowsiness. Therefore, the method can be resorted to in the midst of a busy day, and not just in the evening.

From cough

Fumigation of premises with bay leaf smoke is useful for diseases accompanied by cough. This procedure is useful for patients with bronchitis, especially protracted and chronic. Bay smoke relieves asthma attacks.

The complex of measures for coughing also includes rubbing the chest with oil from the plant and taking a warm broth: 1-2 tablespoons every few hours. Expectorant, anti-inflammatory properties of lavrushka preparations are combined with bactericidal and antiseptic. The combined action relieves a painful cough in a few hours.

For digestion

With sluggish digestion, flatulence and intestinal colic, it is shown not only to add bay leaves to food, but also to drink ½ cup of broth 20 minutes before meals. There will be significant relief in a few days. After 10-12 days of treatment, bloating, pain disappears, fermentation and digestion of food improves.

For the heart and blood vessels

The rich mineral composition of bay leaves nourishes the heart muscle. In addition, infusions gently reduce blood pressure. Such properties are beneficial for cardiovascular diseases. But the benefits of lavrushka are not only in this.

Caffeic acid contained in laurel leaves is able to cleanse blood vessels from cholesterol deposits and strengthen their walls. Thus, not only the prevention of atherosclerosis is carried out, but also the conditions for already existing vascular lesions, calcification, capillary fragility are corrected.

For joints

Treatment of joint pain with bay leaves has a long history and recipes proven for centuries. Modern studies by Dutch physicians have confirmed the strong anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effect of the plant's preparations.

Scientists compare the effect of laurel with that of morphine. It is less pronounced, but does not cause euphoria or addiction. Doctors are sure that using bay oil and decoctions, patients with arthrosis and arthritis can refuse to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

With inflammation of the joints, the oil is carefully applied to the sore spots. The pain is relieved after 20 minutes.

Inside take a decoction of bay leaf, prepared according to a standard recipe. Drink the entire amount of funds per day. The treatment continues for 3 days. After a break of a week, the course is repeated. This recipe is considered the best way to cleanse joints and reduce inflammation.

Before treatment, it is advised to cleanse the intestines and at least temporarily switch to a vegetarian diet. So the effect will be maximum, it will be possible to avoid side effects. The course is repeated every 3 months. If the condition is stable, 1 prophylaxis per year is sufficient.

With diabetes mellitus

Due to the presence of galenic substances, bay leaves are able to reduce blood glucose levels.

Infusion recipe for diabetes mellitus:

1. Bay leaves (10 pcs.) Are washed and placed in a cooking utensil.
2. Pour in 3 glasses of water, and then slowly bring to a boil.
3. Immediately remove the dishes from the heat and insist under the lid for about 3 hours.

Take the remedy for ½ cup three times a day. The course lasts no more than a week, the extension should be discussed with the doctor.

For urinary tract infections

Powder is prepared from dried laurel leaves. Sprinkle 1 tsp into a glass of milk. l. raw materials. Stir and drink. Reception is repeated 3 times a day. With cystitis, urethritis, and other urinary tract infections, relief occurs in 2 - 3 days, and to eliminate the infection, 5 days of bay leaf treatment are enough.

For psoriasis

An infusion of bay leaves is prepared according to a standard recipe, on the basis that 1.5 cups will need to be drunk per day. Before each meal, drink 100 ml of the product. Reception is repeated 3 times a day. An uninterrupted course of treatment lasts 2 weeks, it can be repeated after a break of 7 days.

Outdoor and local use

Wounds, purulent inflammations are washed with a decoction of bay leaves 2-3 times a day. In case of furunculosis or the appearance of barley, in addition to washing, take the agent inside according to a prescription to cleanse the blood.

Sinusitis is treated with steam baths, inhaling fumes over a hot broth. Repeat the procedure 2 times a day until the sinuses are completely cleared.

With purulent inflammation of the ears, the auditory canals are washed and instilled with a warm decoction. Then the passages are closed with cotton wool and left overnight. The pain usually disappears within a day, but the treatment should be continued for at least 2 more days.

For toothache, rinse your mouth with a warm broth every 15 minutes. Severe pain can be relieved by bay leaves with a few applications.

Treatment with spices, in particular bay leaves, is a very common practice. After all, potent substances provide plants with a strong smell and spicy taste. Proven folk recipes help to get rid of diseases at home, as well as maintain vigor and health.

Video about the benefits of bay leaves

The healing properties of bay leaves: