Bay Leaves: Flavor, Healing & Home Hacks

It is impossible not to mention bay leaves when discussing the taste and aroma of Bengali cooking. Be it biryani, pola or payas – using bay leaves in cooking increases its taste several times. But this leaf is not only for the aroma of cooking, it also solves various problems of our body, mind and home. From Ayurveda to modern herbal medicine – bay leaves are used in everything.

How to use bay leaves to find solutions to home problems and why you should always keep this leaf in your kitchen.

Health benefits of bay leaves

Helps control diabetes. The phytonutrients present in bay leaves control blood sugar levels. Drinking bay leaf tea regularly can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes to a great extent.

Keeps the heart healthy

The antioxidant content in bay leaves activates blood circulation and increases the efficiency of the heart. It also plays an effective role in controlling cholesterol levels.

Reduces stress

The aroma of dried bay leaves and burned on a light fire brings peace of mind. Sometimes the mind becomes burdened due to the busy environment of the house, work pressure or anxiety. At this time, burning bay leaves and inhaling its aroma calms the mind a lot.

Use of bay leaves in household work

Using Bay leaf for your home DIY can be very effective for your room. There are lot of uses of Bay leaf to bring positivity in your home. We are discussing a few benefits here.

1. Removing bad odor from utensils

Many times, even after washing the utensils, a musty smell remains on them. This problem is especially common in utensils used for cooking fish or meat. In this case, mix a little bay leaf with soap and wash the utensils. You will see that the unpleasant smell will disappear completely.

2. Remove the musty smell from the house

During the rainy season, a damp smell often spreads in the house. If you don’t want to use chemical room fresheners, you can solve this problem naturally. Put dried rose petals, old bay leaves, cinnamon and cloves in a bowl and sprinkle a few drops of essential oil on them. You will see that a unique aroma will spread in the house, and the musty smell will also go away.

3. Digestion and cold relief

Bay leaves are very effective in increasing digestion. If you want, you can make tea with old bay leaves. Boil bay leaves in boiling water and add a little ginger and cloves. Then strain the water and drink it with a little honey. It relieves gas and heartburn, and also provides relief from cold, cough or sore throat.

4. Natural insect repellent

Sometimes, there is a problem of cockroaches or ants in the kitchen. If you don’t want to use chemical sprays, keep some dried bay leaves next to the kitchen cupboard or rice and dal storage box. Its smell will keep insects away.

5. Bay leaf for hair care

Bay leaves are not only beneficial for the body but also for the hair. Boil a few bay leaves in water. Cool the water and strain it. After shampooing, wash your hair with this water and wait for a few minutes before washing it with clean water or shampoo. It works like a natural conditioner, making your hair smooth and shiny.

Read more :- Raw, Dried or Powdered: Which Turmeric Works Best?

Some more unknown uses

• Relief from insect bites – Making a paste of bay leaves and applying it to the bitten area reduces itching.
• Treatment of colds and coughs – Steaming with bay leaves in hot water helps to ease colds and coughs.
• To reduce pain – Massaging the affected area with a little bay leaf oil relieves muscle pain.

Some precautions in using bay leaves

Although bay leaves have many properties, they should always be used in moderation. Eating too much bay leaves at once can cause stomach problems. Pregnant women should not eat too much bay leaves.

Bay leaves are not only an ingredient to enhance the taste of cooking; they are also a solution to many of our daily problems. Starting from digestive problems to mental stress, even removing bad odors or insects from the house – bay leaves are effective in everything. So, bay leaves are not only used as a fragrant spice with biryani or payas, but are also useful for body or domestic problems. Hidden inside this small leaf is a treasure trove of natural herbal medicine.