6 laurel properties that will make you want to use it in your dishes and infusions

Bay leaves are a prized kitchen seasoning. They are used in a wide variety of stews and dishes, to which they contribute their intense fragrance: vegetables, legumes, soups, rice dishes, vegetable cakes… It is added to these recipes for the flavor it gives, but also for its digestive propertieswhich can be used in other ways, for example in a laurel infusion together with other medicinal plants.

However, the laurel also has expectorant, antiseptic and astringent properties, among others, and its uses can go much further. We tell you about its most proven properties and how to use it to make the most of them.

Laurel properties

Bay leaves and fruits are especially rich in essential oil. That is why, when you squeeze them with your hands, they give off such an intense fragrance. Laurel essential oil contains cineole, pinene, linalool, limonene, terpinene, camphene and other volatile substances.

In addition, bay leaves and fruits contain organic acids (cinnamic, lauric, valerian), formic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, palmitic), schyterpene lactones, polyphenols, flavonesalcohols (eugenol), tannins, Mineral salts (calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium) and traces of alkaloids.

Bay leaves are credited with a wide variety of properties. They stand out above all their aperitif, digestive and carminative properties, useful to open the appetite, facilitate digestion and avoid gas. but they also have anti-inflammatory properties, antispasmodic, diureticssweaty, expectorants, astringentsantiseptic, tonic, stimulant, painkillersantioxidants, emmenagogues, antiparasiticrubefacientes and healing.

These properties make it very useful for different medicinal uses:

Laurel properties for digestion

Bay leaves behave like a appetite stimulant. They are used to arouse hunger in people who are listless, convalescent, or affected by episodes of anorexia nervosa and stress.

In addition, and above all, bay leaves facilitate digestion and contribute to relieve the feeling of stomach heaviness and gas. Also to combat gastrointestinal spasms and heartburn or heartburn.

Laurel infusion with chamomile or mint

Preparing an infusion of laurel with chamomile or mint is a good traditional remedy for easy digestion, especially after a strong or highly caloric meal, but also when stress or nervousness are affecting us. Below you will find a recipe for infusion with laurel, chamomile, mint and other plants to improve your digestion.

Laurel properties for gastroenteritis and diarrhea

Different studies have shown the relative efficacy of laurel extracts to enhance the increased production of probiotic bacteria that form the intestinal microbiota, reducing the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Also for combat gram-negative pathogenssuch as enterobacteria, related to a wide variety of bacterial infections in the digestive system, and manifested with episodes of gastroenteritis and diarrhea. These are studies in experimental process with rodents (Berendika et. al, 2022).

Laurel properties for bronchitis

The essential oil of the laurel leaves gives it a powerful antiseptic and expectorant action. In fact, bay leaves have been shown to be effective in relieving lung congestion and reducing mucus.

Traditionally it has been used as a natural remedy for treat bronchitis, asthma attacks and flu episodes. Helps to lower the tenths of fever and promotes sweating.

It is also incorporated into steam baths or sprays with eucalyptus, sage, thyme or myrtle, to decongest the respiratory tract and combat the symptoms of spring allergies.

Laurel properties as a diuretic

Bay leaves are included in antiseptic formulas to treat urinary tract infections and to promote diuresis.

It is indicated for prevent fluid retention and edemaas a natural support.

Laurel properties for menstruation

Bay leaves are incorporated into natural treatments to relieve discomfort during the menstrual period, such as spasmodic pain, lower back pain, migraine and nervous conditions, but in combination with other herbs that it complements.

Laurel properties for the mouth

With bay leaves you can prepare remedies to relieve toothache. are integrated into astringent and anti-hemorrhagic formulas to treat bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and inflammations on the walls of the mouth and tongue.

It is also used as a gargle in case of pharyngitis and laryngitis.

How to use or take bay leaf

In addition to including it as a seasoning in our dishes, the bay leaf can be used for medicinal purposes in different ways:

The dried or fresh leaves in infusion or decoction, better together with other herbs, to take as an aperitif, digestive and carminative remedy. Up to three cups daily.In tincture, with water or juice of fruit. leaves as seasoning kitchen.Essential oil in drops, better Topically only.The leaves in purified decoction as mouthwashfor mouthwashes and in Sitz baths.The laurel butter in massage about rheumatic and muscular pains and as a parasiticide. butter oil to remove the lice on hair or clothing.

Laurel infusion

Taking the laurel in infusion is a good way to take advantage of its digestive propertiess. Normally the laurel infusion is prepared with other related or complementary plants. Here you have two options to choose from, ideal to take before or after eating as you need.

To relieve heavy digestions, nervous digestions, gas, nausea and lack of appetite, we propose a combination of great plants with digestive properties. Is taken a cup before or after meals main.

bay essential oil

Laurel essential oil is used in aromatherapy for different purposes. These are some of the most prominent:

To ease the pain in neuralgia, muscular and rheumatic pain, is applied in the form of scrubs or soft massages on the painful area, or by pouring about 15 drops in the bathroom. In scalp massage, it is used to stop hair loss. It is also used in diffusers and vaporizers to perfume stays, promote concentration and scare away insects in summer, especially mosquitoes and flies. In fact, it is sometimes incorporated into natural insecticides.

The fresh and dried leaves can also be used for prevent and repel winter clothes moths when we put it back in the closet.

Bay Berry Butter

The laurel fruit butter is obtained from the ripe laurel fruits, which are crushed and boiled until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

It has traditionally been used to combat intestinal parasites.

Topically, it is also used to soothe arthritic pain, osteoarthritis, muscle pain and neuralgia. It also applies to eczema, pimples and hives.

The oil obtained from butter laurel is also intended to treat infestation by lice (pediculosis) in the hair, on other parts of the body, or on clothing.

Bay leaf contraindications

Bay leaves can cause contact dermatitis on sensitive skins and a slight photosensitizing effect if we are exposed to sunlight after having handled or taken an infusion.

The essential oil should not be taken internally during pregnancy or lactation, nor be administered to children under 12 years of age. It is also not recommended for patients with gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis or parkinson’s, among other conditions. Always check with your GP.