Laurel: properties, benefits and contraindications

Laurel is an evergreen aromatic plant, belonging to the family of Lauraceae, Widely used in cooking, but also traditionally in phytotherapy. Its main benefits come mainly from compounds such as essential oils, polyphenols, and flavonoids.

One of the most notable advantages is the support for digestionBay leaves can stimulate the production of gastric juices and help reduce bloating, gas, and a feeling of heaviness after meals. For this reason, they are often used in infusions or added to rich dishes such as legumes and meats.

It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, due to the presence of substances such as eugenol and other phenolic compounds. These help counteract oxidative stress, a factor involved in cellular aging and various inflammatory conditions. Bay leaf is not only used in food, but also, for example, in the preparation of essential oils, soaps, and various natural remedies.

Index of topics

Origins

This the plant is native to the Mediterranean, It grows in woodlands and is a "dioecious" plant, meaning it has both male and female plants. Its spring flowers are yellow and form an umbrella-shaped inflorescence. The Greeks considered laurel a divinatory plant with almost magical powers. They believed it warded off bad luck and could cure contagious diseases. In ancient Rome, laurel, also called "laurel” was considered a sign of triumph, in fact the victors in battle were crowned with the typical crown made with the leaves of this plant.

Nutritional properties

The caloric intake of bay leaves used in food is very limited because we use it only to flavor dishes, therefore we consume very small quantities. Per 100 grams it is 313 kcal.

In a tablespoon of chopped bay leaves, which corresponds to about 6 calories, we find:

0,10 g water
1,35 g carbohydrates
1,14 g of protein
0,15 g of lipids
1,35 g of carbohydrates
0,5 g of fiber
10 mg of potassium
2 mg of magnesium

The famous laurel oil is prepared with the laurel oil. Aleppo soap Syrian, which is highly recommended for those with delicate skin and prone to allergies, especially if it comes into contact with additives and perfumes found in mass-market soaps. Laurel has now been included in the list of traditional Italian agri-food products. (PAT) thanks to the enormous use made of it in traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Both the leaves and berries of the bay laurel contain an essential oil composed of a series of active ingredients that stimulate the appetite (geraniol, terpineol, eucalyptol, and many others) and also aid digestion. Bay laurel is truly capable of... relieve numerous ailments, linked to everyday life and the stress of modern life.

Benefits

Relieves colic, stomach problems stomach and promotes the elimination of intestinal gas, fighting aerophagia and meteorism.
Laurel also has a remarkable analgesic power, valid for example, for menstrual cramps.
È relaxing e favors the sonno In those who suffer from insomnia, it calms nervousness, stress and soothes premenstrual syndrome.
Laurel is astringent, therefore excellent in case of diarrhea.
Laurel is excellent for rheumatic and joint pain and for those suffering from arthritis.
It promotes eyesight, because it is rich in vitamin A.
Laurel is a antioxidant, in fact it fights free radicals and is also a good anti-tumor agent, since it is thought to reduce the risk of lung cancer.
The laurel purifies the Reindeer, keeps blood pressure under control and is excellent against bad breath.
Keeps moths away from pantries thanks to its smell.

How to use bay leaves

Bay leaves have many uses, including infusions, oils, and decoctions. They're also widely used in cooking because they impart an unmistakable aroma to foods.

La tisane It's easy to prepare and effectively relieves stomach discomfort, aids digestion, and eliminates intestinal gas. Boil water and then steep no more than four bay leaves in it for about 10 minutes. Finally, strain and drink. If you have trouble digesting, drink no more than three herbal teas a day after meals. If the problem is a cough or the flu, herbal teas can also be consumed throughout the day, without any set timetable.

Essential oil of bay leaves or berries It is used for medicinal purposes. Indeed, this remedy can be used for relaxing massages, to soothe flu symptoms, and to make soaps and numerous beauty products. For external use, such as for massages, it should be diluted in vegetable oil. It can also be added to liquid soap for its antiseptic properties, and in shampoo it is useful for stimulating blood flow to the skin. Obviously, just a few drops are enough because the essential oil is extremely concentrated. It can also be diffused into the air using a special oil diffuser.

Also excellent laurel and lemon decoctionPrepare this tea with about 5 bay leaves in 200 ml of water. Add 5 grams of dried lemon peel, and your decoction will taste delicious. Bring to a boil and then strain and drink.

How to use bay leaves in cooking

Apart from infusions and herbal teas, bay leaves, both fresh and dried, are used for flavor many dishesSoups, meat, fish, shellfish, but also various types of legumes. Also excellent with baked potatoes and to prepare a flavoured vinegar with an unmistakable taste.

Laurel infusion

- laurel infusions They are excellent for their anti-flu power, they are prepared by boiling about 50 grams of leaves in a pan. Let the leaves rest for about ten minutes Then drink the infusion, after straining it. The drink should be cold. The infusion is also excellent for respiratory and digestive disorders. It also helps relax the body and eliminate intestinal gas. Therefore, it is ideal for a heavy stomach, and also as a antirheumatic.

How to use bay berries

Bay berries are edible and are often used in cooking in many recipes. They also possess therapeutic and phytotherapeutic properties. These berries are harvested from October to November and can be used to prepare laurel powder, which is then used to make laurel oil, which is used to treat arthritis, bruises, and psoriasis, and can be rubbed on the chest to soothe bronchial infections.

La laurel powder It is prepared by drying the berries. Then, 50 grams of the latter is macerated in 250 ml of olive oil. The berries, used to prepare decoctions, are useful for digestive problems. A berry decoction strengthens the veins and capillaries. Prepare it by placing a large amount of berries in a little water. By crushing the bay berries and macerating them for 4 weeks in extra virgin olive oil, laurel oil is obtained. This oil treats rheumatism and strengthens hair, especially in cases of alopecia and significant hair loss.The berries have no specific contraindications, although it's best not to consume them if you suffer from gastritis or stomach problems. If you have allergies, it's always best to consult your doctor.

Laurel essential oil

We said that laurel essential oil it is used for curative and cosmetic purposes for its countless properties: antiviral, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, rebalancing, digestive, and relaxing. It is used to make various natural products, including the famous Aleppo soap, of Syrian origin. The soap is made by mixing the essential oil with olive oil, sodium hydroxide, and water. The soap is prepared by slowly cooking the olive oil, then adding bay leaf oil and soda extracted from sea salt. The soap is then poured into molds and cut once it has cooled. Drying is the final stage and lasts a year. This soap is used as a remedy for dandruff and hair loss.

Laurel essential oil, among other things, is ralso recommended for strengthening hair and giving it shineThe ideal is to add a few drops to a tablespoon of linseed oil, then apply the ointment to your hair.

Combined with thesweet almond oil It can be useful in case of rheumatic pain. While smelling the aroma released by a drop of essential oil poured on a handkerchief is said to aid memory. As for theinfluence, the laurel steams are excellent: just pour 3 drops of oil into about half a liter of water and position yourself over the pot with a towel over your head, inhaling the vapors.

And if you want to make a toning bathThere's nothing better than pouring a few drops of laurel essential oil directly into the tub. It's also useful for relieving tension, back pain, or headaches. Simply add a few drops to a neutral oil and massage the affected areas.

Where to buy laurel essential oil

Laurel essential oil you can buy it in herbalist's shops. Also online It is easy to find, but in any case it is better to choose pure products.

The cost of bay leaves, through the Internet and the sites that offer them, varies based on the different offers, but generally a 10 gram pack costs around 3 euros. On the site Lands and products You can find a double offer for both fresh and dried leaves. Fresh leaves cost 2 euros for 80 fresh leaves; dried leaves cost 5 euros for 160 leaves. The leaves come from a Sicilian company.

Controindicazioni

It is not recommended to give bay leaves to children under 18 years of age. under 6 years of age. In fact, laurel can cause allergies. For the same reason, even the pregnant women They should not take decoctions or infusions based on this plant unless they consult a doctor first. Excessive use of bay leaves can cause drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. Even dermatological use should be done with caution to avoid possible dermatitis. In all cases, it's always best to consult your doctor.

Is bay leaf poisonous or toxic?

Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis), which is used to flavor foods, it is not poisonous at all, in fact it is phytotherapeutic. The toxicity, however, is typical of the cherry laurel. (Prunus laurocerasus), a plant very similar to the common laurel, which however, unlike the latter, is used to create hedges.

All the benefits of laurel