Benefits of Bay Leaves: THESE are the ways bay leaves can keep you healthy

The bay leaves that you commonly add to your dishes has been a regular in culinary and medicinal world for centuries. Even the Romans were known to be highly impressed by the health benefits of these extraordinary leaves. As you must be aware, bay leaves are added whole or ground into a powder and added as a spice to soups, stews and curries. Known as ‘tej patta’ in Hindi, these leaves are also used as a garnish. For medicinal purposes, the extracts of these leaves are used in aromatherapy and herbal treatments. Bay leaves are especially useful in treating skin and respiratory ailments. Some of the most impressive health benefits of bay leaves are its detoxifying properties, reversing the signs of ageing, speeding up wound healing, protecting the body from bacterial infections, stabilizing blood sugar levels, aiding in digestion and improving heart health among others!

Gives relief from respiratory infections

Bay leaves essential oil is often applied to the chest to fight respiratory infections. Inhaling the vapour works as aromatherapy. Patients experience relief as the phlegm loosens up and harmful bacterias are eliminated from the respiratory tract. Therefore, bay leaves are also natural antibacterial.

Gets rid of dandruff

Steeping bay leaves overnight and applying the solution to your scalp after shampooing is a great way to eliminate dandruff naturally. It also hydrates your scalp, improves blood flow to the hair follicles and reduces hair loss.

May help fight cancer

Bay leaves are rich in antioxidants and organic compounds such as phytonutrients, catechins, Linalool, and parthenolide. These help in protecting the body from the harmful effects of free radicals. Bay leaves also keep a check on healthy cell mutating into malicious cells, thus reducing the risk of cancer.

Makes heart healthy

Caffeic acid and rutin, found in bay leaves keep our hearts strong and healthy. Rutin strengthens capillary walls in the heart whereas caffeic acid lowers LDL or bad cholesterol.

Manages stress and anxiety

Bay leaves also contains linalool which is associated with lower levels of stress hormones in the body. When used in aromatherapy, bay leaves can help combat dangerous effects of stress and calm anxiety.