Usually, people use bay leaves to add flavor and aroma, but they don't actually eat the leaves. Bay leaf nutrients are more likely to be absorbed when the crushed form is used for cooking.

Well known for its taste and aroma, the Bay leaf is a nutrient-rich herb that also finds its use in the medicinal world.

The bay leaf is rich in antioxidants, minerals and fiber, giving it the ability to promote overall health.

Bay leaf is an aromatic herb obtained from the small evergreen tree known as bay tree native to the Mediterranean. The leaves are about 5-7 centimeters long, almond-shaped and green in color.

The varieties of bay leaves used for flavoring food and the scientific names of the trees from which they are derived.

This spice is widely used to make tea or to make curry. It is also well known in Bulgaria and it is used to prepare roast lamb, boiled beef, etc.

It offers many nutrients that protect against many chronic diseases. For example, it relieves the symptoms of diabetes, cancer and stomach problems.

Fresh bay leaves are shiny and dark green on top with a paler green color on the underside. They are used in meat dishes very often to give this gentle aroma.And besides adding great taste and aroma to the food, they also facilitate digestion by relieving abdominal pain, gastrointestinal infections, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

In addition, the organic compounds found in bay leaves are helpful in relieving the symptoms of an upset stomach and soothing irritable bowel syndrome.

Bay leaves can act as a diuretic and improve kidney health. They are said to stimulate the excretory system, thus reducing the body's toxicity. A study suggests that bay leaves may help prevent kidney stones.

They also improve our heart health due to two critical organic compounds, rutin and caffeic acid. Rutin strengthens the walls of the capillaries of the heart, while caffeic acid plays a role in eliminating bad cholesterol from the cardiovascular system.

Some of the other benefits of bay leaves are:

Reduces stress and anxiety

The aromatic fumes of bay leaves have a natural calming quality as they clean the air and affect our mood.

Bay leaves are also a popular element in aromatherapy. The antioxidant Linalool present in bay leaves can help lower the stress level in the body and help us calm down.

People around the world have used bay leaves in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Burning the leaves is said to make smoke that offers a range of health benefits.

Relief of anxiety and restlessness is touted as a major benefit of burning bay leaves.

This is probably because bay leaf smoke contains linalool, a compound found in a number of other plants, including peppermint and lavender.

Here's a healthy recipe you can make at home

Bay leaf water:

The various health benefits of drinking bay leaf water are:

• Prevents cold, cough and flu.

• It increases the body's metabolism and helps promote weight loss.

• Relieves joint and muscle pain.

• Fight diabetes.

• Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

And only 2 ingredients

• Water

• Bay leaves

Preparation:

• Take 2-3 bay leaves and cut them into small pieces.

• Add them to a pot of boiling water.

• Soak overnight.

• Strain the water the next day.

You can enjoy this refreshing drink first thing in the morning and several times throughout the day.

Try it and you will be surprised by its benefits.

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