Bay Leaf _Benefits

Bay Leaf

Bay Leaf is the name given to the fragrant leaves of the Laurel Tree. These are also known as Bay Laurel, Turkish Bay or Sweet Bay. In scientific terms, Bay Leaf is called Laurus Nobilis. The Bay Leaf Tree is a member of genus Lauraceae Laurel.

Is Bay Leaf Poisonous?

Bay Leaves are often considered to be poisonous. This is due to the fact that spreading whole or crushed Bay Leaves in pantries and kitchens have been found to keep cockroaches, meal moths and flies away. But this is mainly because of the aromatic oils present in Bay Leaves. Household pests are repelled by these oils which act as a deterrent for them. But Bay Leaves are undoubtedly non-poisonous.

Bay Leaf Health Benefits

The health benefits of Bay Leaf are numerous. Bay Leaves are extremely beneficial for health and can be used in various ways. Bay Leaves are rich in iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium and vitamins A and C. These are extremely beneficial for the body and are therefore fit for human consumption. When used in cooking, these are a highly nutritious addition to cuisine.

Bay Leaf Oil Benefits

Add 10-15 drops of Bay Leaf oil into 16 ounces of your shampoo and rinse your hair with this solution. This is known as an effective cure for dandruff.

Taking a bath with water mixed with Bay Leaf oil can be very soothing for the senses. Dipping your hands and feet in Bay Leaf-water solution can ease pain in those regions.

The aromatic properties of Bay Leaf oil make it apt to be used as a room freshener. Pour a few drops of Bay Leaf oil into a dish. Light a candle below this to gently heat the oil and vaporize it. Bay Leaf vapors calms the mind and relieves stress.

You can also add a few drops of this oil to your skin care products to add fragrance to them.

Bay Leaf Medicinal Uses

Bay Leaves are great to be used as medicines. Bay Leaves are very effective as diuretics and consuming those helps remove excess water from the body as urine thus clearing toxins and wastes away. It stabilizes insulin processing in the human body thus reducing high sugar levels in bloodstream.

Massaging your body daily with a few drops of oil extracted from Bay Leaves can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by minor bumps, arthritis, strains and sprains. Massaging temples with Bay Leaf oil can help relieve headaches and migraine pains due to Parthenolides present in them.

Bay Leaf oil is also useful in treating joint pain, digestive ailments, respiratory tract infection, flu and cold symptoms. Eugenol in Bay Leaf oil gives it antibacterial and antifungal properties which makes it perfect for curing infections. Liquid Bay Leaf extract strengthens and tones the digestive tract.

Bay Leaf Essential Oil contains ingredients like cineol, α- pinene, β-pinene, methyl eugenol, acetyl eugenol, linalool, terpineol, geraniol, eugenol and chavicol. Slighlty sniffing oil extracted from Bay Leaf benefits sinus and lung congestion. Sniffing too much of it directly can be damaging for health. It is advisable that you add a few drops of Bay Leaf oil to a vaporizer and inhale the air.

Are you suffering from sunburns? Using Bay Leaf oil as a cool compress over sunburn can work as an effective cure.

Bay Leaf oil is famous for its astringent properties. People with oily skin can add a few drops of this oil to the essential skin toner and massage their body to treat acne problems and tone their skin.

Bay Leaf Nutrition Facts

Know the amount of nutrients per 100 gm of Bay Leaves.

Vitamins

Bay Leaves contain Vitamin A (6185 IU), Vitamin C (46.5 mg), Pyridoxine (1.740 mg), Folates (180 mcg), Riboflavin (0.421 mg) and Niacin (2 mg).

Electrolytes

100 gms of Bay Leaf includes 23 mg Sodium and 529 mg Potassium.

Minerals

Bay Leaves are a storehouse of essential minerals like Copper (0.416 mg), Iron (43 mg), Calcium (834 mg), Zinc (3.7 mg), Magnesium (120 mg), Phosphorus (113 mg), Manganese (8.167 mg) and Selenium (2.8 mcg).

Other nutrients

Bay Leaves also contain 313 Kcal energy, 74.97 g carbohydrates, 7.61 g Protein, 8.36 g fat and 26.3 gm dietary fiber. The remaining portion consists of water. There is no cholesterol present in this herb.

References:

http://www.onlyfoods.net/