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UNKNOWN HEALTH BENEFITS OF BAY LEAVES
Many of us ladies add bay leaves to our foods, especially in the cooking of red meat and poultry meat.
Many of us don’t know why bay leaves are added to food!
When a woman was asked why, she said, “to flavour the food”.
If you boil the bay leaves in a glass of water and taste it, it will have no flavour.
So why do you put bay leaves in the meat or other food?
Well the addition of bay leaves to meat converts triglycerides to monounsaturated fats, and for experimentation purposes:
Cut a chicken into two halves, cook each half in a pan and place on one bay leaf, and the other without bay leaf. Observe the amount of fat in both pans.
WHAT ARE BAY LEAVES?
Bay leaf is a herb commonly known for its fragrance and flavour. It is often used more for its fragrance than flavour actually.
There are many types of plants referred to as “bay leaves”, but the true bay leaf is scientifically known as Laurus nobilis.
Many other leaves have a similar appearance and aroma like true bay leaves, but not the same nutrient content.
These aromatic leaves are rich in nutrients. They are primarily used for culinary purposes and are removed from cooked food before eating.
There is no extensive range of culinary applications for bay leaves, although extracts of these leaves have numerous health benefits.
12 UNKNOWN HEALTH BENEFITS OF BAY LEAVES
If you have bay leaves, there is no need for a pharmacist because it helps to get rid of many serious health problems and illnesses.
As recent scientific studies have shown that bay leaves have many unknown health benefits. Some of these include:
Aids Digestion
Bay leaf treats digestive disorders and helps eliminate lumps and gives relief from abdominal pain, gastrointestinal infections, flatulence, bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea.
Bay Leaf happens to contain enzymes that help to break down proteins and digest food faster, helping to calm indigestion. It is also used as a diuretic.
Aids the respiratory system
Bay leaf also benefits the respiratory system by eliminating harmful bacteria that may be trapped in the respiratory tracts. This is due to its natural antibacterial quality.
When the essential oil of bay leaves is extracted, it can be mixed into a salve and applied to the chest to help alleviate various respiratory conditions.
Reduce inflammation
Reducing inflammation throughout the body is one of the most important benefits of bay leaf. It contains a photo nutrient called parthenolide, which can quickly reduce inflammation and irritation when topically applied to affected areas.
Improves hair health
If you want to improve the health of your hair follicles and eliminate dandruff, a homemade method is to steep bay leaves in water and then rub them on your scalp after shampooing.
The chemicals and volatile ingredients in them may help eliminate dry skin and dandruff. Bay leaves are also useful in hair regrowth and hair loss prevention and breakage.
Aids heart health
Bay leaf protects the heart from heartburn, seizures and strokes as it contains a cardiovascular compound.
This is because of its powerful combination of potassium, antioxidants, and iron. As they are vital for heart health.
Potassium helps with cardiac rhythm as well as lowers blood pressure. The antioxidant helps lowers inflammation and the risk of heart disease. While iron helps protect against both heart disease and strokes.
Prevents type 2 diabetes
It’s possible that bay leaf can help lower blood sugar levels. Research suggests that by taking ground bay leaf two times per day, blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels (LDL) could be reduced
Helps menstrual cramps
Bay leaves have been seen to help menstrual cramps problem. When taken orally, it can induce regular and normal menstruation.
Helps induce sleep
Consumption of bay leaves at bedtime eliminates insomnia and anxiety while inducing proper sleep. For this purpose, a few drops of the bay leaf extract can be mixed with water and consumed before bed, in order to help relax and sleep peacefully.
Improves immune system
Due to its little vitamin C and A content, it happens to be very helpful when your immune system needs a boost. Bay leaf also has antibacterial properties, which can help prevent sickness as well. It is generally good for your immune system.
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Other Health Benefits include
- Very useful in treating colds, flu and severe cough as it is a rich source of vitamin “C”. You can boil the leaves and inhale steam to get rid of phlegm and reduce the severity of the cough.
- It helps regulate bowel movements by drinking hot bay tea.
- Rich in acids such as caffeic acid, quercetin, eugenol and bartolinide, substances that prevent the formation of cancer cells in the body.
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