Bay leaves: 11 health benefits

Bay is a plant rich in nutrients, the leaves contain in fact large doses of vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid and mineral salts such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and copper. These and other active ingredients present in its leaves give it important properties for our health and body care. Let's find out all the benefits!

Here are 11 Benefits of bay leaves

Bay can be a good natural remedy in case of:

1. Blood sugar and diabetes

The leaves of this plant have proved effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes to lower the level of glucose in the blood but also cholesterol and triglycerides. The antioxidants contained in the bay leaves help our body to produce insulin efficiently. If you want to control blood sugar in this way (always after hearing the opinion of your doctor) it is recommended to take bay powder for 30 days or boil a few bay leaves in 3 glasses of water and boil until it is not reduced to a single cup. Filter, cool and drink immediately before meals twice a day.

2. Wellness of the heart

Some active ingredients contained in bay leaves can improve cardiac performance and help prevent strokes and heart attacks. The flavonoids of which the plant is rich then help to normalize the pressure in hypertensive patients. These properties can be exploited by boiling 10 pieces of bay leaves in 3 glasses of water for a few minutes. Filter and drink the warm infusion once a day.

3.Painkiller

The oil extracted from the bay leaves contains active ingredients able to alleviate the pains resulting from fatigue, sprains, arthritis or rheumatism. This oil can also be beneficial for migraines and headaches. To exploit this potential, you can make compresses with the infusion of bay on the painful areas or massage them with small quantities of bay oil or essential bay oil, first diluted in carrier oil.

4. Flu, cough and cold

The bay leaves are effective for fighting flu symptoms. At the first symptoms of coughs and colds or other respiratory problems just boil 2-3 pieces of bay leaves for 10 minutes and immerse a cotton cloth with which then make compresses on the chest in order to alleviate the symptoms. Of course, it is also possible to drink the slightly sweetened infusion with honey.

5. Wellness of the kidneys

The infusion of bay leaves is able to promote the wellbeing of the kidneys even in case of infections and the presence of stones. It should be prepared by boiling 5 grams of bay leaf in 200 ml of water for a few minutes. After filtering it and letting it cool you can drink a couple of times a day.

6. Against constipation and diarrhea

Daily use of bay leaves in food and drink can help keep the digestive system healthy. The vitamins and mineral salts present in the plant facilitate digestion and regularize the intestine in case of constipation or diarrhea.

7. Menstrual disorders

The bay infusion taken with a certain constancy can be beneficial in the treatment of menstrual disorders, it can in fact on the one hand regularize the cycle on the other reduce the annoying symptoms including pain and cramps.

8. Support the immune system

Use fresh or dried bay leaves in the kitchen, as well as drink the infusion, helps us to support our immune defenses. The natural substances contained in the bay leaves in fact promote health and well-being as they stimulate the immunity of the organism.

9. Care of the teeth

The bay leaves are beneficial for keeping our teeth healthy and white. The powder can be finely mixed with water until it becomes a paste that can be used as a whitening toothpaste. Alternatively, the bay infusion can be used as a mouthwash in case of halitosis.

10. Good night rest

Regular consumption of bay leaves at bedtime promotes a good night's sleep. This plant has in fact a calming effect on the nervous system, so you can try to drink an infusion of bay leaves just before going to sleep every day.

11. Preventing cancer

In the context of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, bay leaves can be an ally in cancer prevention. In fact they are rich in antioxidants but also in other organic compounds and phytonutrients with anticancer power.