Follow Us on Google
Rubbing bay oil into arthritic joints will give you a sweet relief. The herb is applied by massaging and of course you know massaging itself is soothing.
Ifeoma Chukwuma
Laurus-Nobilis Family – Lauraceae. Common names: laurel, sweet bay, green bay or Roman laurel.
Properties: quercetin, euginol, caffeic acid, lauric acid, myrcene, parthenolide, cineole (eucalyptol), folic acid, calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium, selenium, vitamins A and C.
Bay is a small evergreen tree, which seldom grows taller than 20 feet. It’s shiny, leathery, dark green aromatic leaves have wavy edges and grow on short stalks. The leaves may be harvested year-round and thus are always available.
READ ALSO: Bay: A spicy soother
Parts used: leaves
The leaves are pungent and are commonly used in its dried form to flavor stews, soups, meat and other dishes. They are usually added whole to those dishes because of their sharpness and are typically removed from the dishes before serving. Ground bay leaves however, can be ingested safely and can be used in cocktails and herbal juices.
Whole bay leaves have a long shelf life of about one year, under normal temperature and humidity.
Bay leaves can also be roasted and ground and then added to other spices. If all you do with bay is add a leaf or two to stews and soups, you are missing an opportunity to use a natural soother.
Whether used fresh, roasted, dried or powdered or as oil extracted from the leaves, bay leaf has a lot of medicinal properties beneficial in these areas:
Stress management
Low doses of bay oil have been found to sedate laboratory animals, and high doses produce temporary stupor. The herb also reduces blood pressure in laboratory animals, but the effect is mild. These animal results are suggestive that the herb may put people to sleep and reduce their blood pressures. Bay infusions are relaxing. Added to baths, the herb seems to help some people relax and relieve insomnia. For this purpose, mix a few drops of bay leaf extract with water and consume it at bedtime.
Indigestion
Bay leaves are good for promoting digestion and are said to treat digestive disorders such as heartburn and flatulence. Drinking a concoction of bay leaf tea with hot water may alleviate common digestive disorders like constipation, acid reflux and irregular bowel movements. Certain enzymes found in the leaves are said to enable the breakdown of proteins, thus making it an excellent spice for non-vegetarian diets. In case of indigestion and bloating take 2-5 gm of bay leaf with a piece of ginger and boil in 50cl of water for a few minutes. Add some honey, if desired, and consume this twice a day for relief.
Other News
Cold and Infection
Like most aromatic spices, bay leaf oil kills disease-causing bacteria and fungi. Bay leaves are effective in fighting the symptoms of cold and flu. In case of respiratory problems, infuse 2-3 of the leaves in boiled water for 15 minutes. Use as compress on the chest to alleviate cold, flu and cough. This spice is also effective in reducing fever. In case of repeated sneezing, infuse some bay leave in 20 CL of water for 30 minutes, strain and take 2X daily.
Anti-inflammatory
Rubbing bay oil into arthritic joints will give you a sweet relief. The herb is applied by massaging and of course you know massaging itself is soothing. The renowned English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended bay to “treat all grief of the joints.” For a relaxing aromatic infusion with a pleasantly sweet taste, use 1-2 teaspoons of crushed leaves in 1 teacup of boiling water. Strain the liquid before drinking (the leaves are quite sharp; swallowing a piece of leaf could prove harmful). Drink up to three cups a day. If you prefer a tincture, add 1-2 drops of bay oil to tea or honey.
Culpepper also claimed bay leaf treated worms, itching, and shortness of breath, infectious diseases and all grief of the nerves, arteries, and belly.
In the case of joint pain, you can make a poultice of ground bay leaves and castor leaves and tie it around the inflamed joints to reduce pain and swelling.
Massaging the temples with bay leaf oil helps to relief migraines and headaches. It also boosts circulation and promotes a healthy feeling of well-being. You can also apply a paste of bay leaves on your forehead to get relief from severe headache.
Uterine stimulation
Culpepper also recommended bay “treat all grief of and womb, procure women’s courses (menstruation), and cause a speedy delivery on sore travail of childbirth”. Since bayleaf is said to stimulate menstruation and abortion, pregnant women should stay away from medicinal doses. But if your menstruation has long ceased, you may give this herb a trial. Bay leaf also possesses the property of curing vaginal discharge.
Pregnancy promoter:
This is good news for expectant mothers; bay leaves being rich in folic acid are extremely beneficial during the preconception period. Do not just add 2 or 3 leaves in your jollof rice, brew them as tea and take 2-3 X a day to ensure a sufficient supply of folic acid.
Diabetes
Bay leaves have been found to be effective in treating type 2 diabetes as they cause reduction in blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The antioxidants in the leaves enable the body to process insulin more efficiently, thus making it a good choice for diabetics and people with insulin resistance. To get maximum results the leaf of bay can be powdered and consumed for 30 days. This will cause a drop in sugar levels in the body as well as regulate the functioning of the heart.
Immune booster
Bay leaf contains caffeic acid, quercetin, euginol, catechins among others which possess chemoprotective properties known to provide resistance against different types of cancer. They also contain a phytonutrient called parthenolide which has shown to specifically restrain the proliferation of cervical cancer cells.
Kidney problems
Bay leaves help in treating kidney infections and may alleviate pains associated with kidney stones. For this purpose, infuse 5 grams bay leaves in 20cl of water for 30 minutes. Strain and drink this 2 x a day. This may stop formation of kidney stones.
Dandruff
If you have tried everything and your dandruff seems not to “go away”, try a rinse made from infused bay leaves. For better results powderize the leaves and mix with palm kernel oil, steam your hair with this and say goodbye to chronic dandruff. Bay leaf is also considered a great remedy for hair loss.
