Indications for use
In folk medicine, bay leaf is used as an independent remedy or as an addition to therapy prescribed by a doctor.
If you have the following indications:
- Malignant neoplasms;
- Inflammatory processes affecting the mucous membranes of the oral cavity;
- Diabetes;
- Respiratory diseases;
- Disruptions in the menstrual cycle;
- Arthritis, arthrosis and other inflammatory lesions of joints and cartilage;
- Severe bruises and mechanical injuries;
- Damage to ligaments and tendons;
- Dermatological rashes;
- Skin pigmentation;
- Deterioration of the immune system.
Bay leaves are often used for diabetes, but this should only be done after consultation with the attending physician, since the product is not approved for use in all forms of the disease.
Contraindications
Any medicinal plant, like industrial drugs, has a number of contraindications. Bay leaf is not recommended for children and adults if:
- diabetes (both types);
- chronic constipation;
- pancreatitis;
- peptic ulcers;
- renal pathologies;
- pregnancy (all trimesters);
- lactation.
These restrictions apply only to oral administration of drugs.
If an allergic reaction to something appears for the first time, you should not immediately prepare a decoction of bay leaf or tincture. First of all, you need to determine the cause of the allergy by contacting a specialist. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous to your health.
Use in folk medicine
Of course, bay leaf does not have the same effect as medications, but it can be used as an addition to the main method of therapy. Can be used both internally and externally.
Decoctions and infusions of bay leaves
A decoction of bay leaves is prepared only from good quality raw materials. The color of the leaves should be moderate green, uniform, without brown spots. Violation of the structure of the leaves indicates unsatisfactory storage conditions or the ill health of the tree from which they were collected.
It is also worth evaluating the smell of bay leaves and its taste. Bitter, odorless leaves are unsuitable for preparing a decoction.
For most diseases, the standard decoction preparation scheme is suitable: 20-25 leaves per 2 cups of boiling water, brewed for 5-7 minutes.
Bay leaf infusion
Another option for using laurel raw materials for medicinal purposes is an infusion, which is not inferior in its effectiveness to decoctions.
After brewing the leaves for the required time, the liquid is infused until it cools. Then they either start drinking it or place it in a cool place where it continues to infuse.
Bay leaf infusion is used to treat some chronic diseases.
- This infusion alleviates joint pain. For these symptoms, take it 2 times a day, a tablespoon. Course duration is up to 3 days. It is not recommended to exceed it.
- For muscle pain and sprained ligaments, a small amount of infusion is mixed with castor oil and applied as a compress to the disturbing area. The compress is covered with plastic wrap to reduce evaporation.
- Patients with second-degree diabetes mellitus can drink a weak solution of bay leaf tincture to normalize blood glucose levels. A standard decoction is diluted with water 7-8 times and consumed half a glass per day.
- In case of excessive gas formation, brew 5 grams of crushed leaf in 200-250 ml of water (one glass). This amount is sufficient for a single use, but is usually not required.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the topic of its use for menstrual irregularities, that is, delays in menstruation. Proponents of traditional methods recommend brewing three leaves in one glass of water and drinking it once, which should cause the onset of menstruation. Probably, the possibility of using such a remedy depends on the individual characteristics of the body, so it is better to consult a gynecologist on this issue.
Bay oil - application
Due to the fact that the oil contains a number of vitamins and minerals, people have used it for centuries to treat many ailments. It is a good antiseptic.
It does a great job:
- with some types of dermatitis;
- ear diseases;
- cold;
- allergic reactions;
- bruises and ligament injuries;
- fungal infections.
To prepare the product, 30 grams of crushed bay leaf is poured into a glass of vegetable oil heated to a temperature of 60-80 degrees, and after cooling, it is moved to a cool room. After three weeks, strain it and store it in the refrigerator, using it as needed.
The effectiveness of bay oil can be noted for several problems:
- for insomnia, add the oil to boiled water, place it next to the bed and enjoy the pleasant ethereal aromas;
- also, for sleep disorders, you can use special candles, where the oil is poured into a special container, from which it evaporates under the influence of a flame;
- headaches subside if you massage your temples, smoothly, lightly and slowly rubbing laurel oil;
- for skin diseases, add 2-3 drops of oil to lotions, creams, baths, face masks;
- stomach ulcers with low acidity are treated by adding a few drops of bay oil to yarrow tea;
- for stomatitis, they practice rinsing the mouth with a solution of laurel oil, usually adding it to other means;
- At the first symptoms of a cold, it is recommended to carry out inhalations using hot liquid with 2-3 drops of oil as a solution for the procedure. The duration of the procedure is from 3 to 10 minutes, no more than once a day.
Bay leaf baths
For psoriasis, eczema and some other skin diseases, baths with the addition of laurel decoction can be an additional remedy. The substances contained there reduce skin irritation. But even in the absence of indications, they can be taken to calm the nervous system, relieve tension and improve mood.
Brew 30 bay leaves in a saucepan with water, boil for 3-5 minutes, remove the leaves and pour the liquid into the bath. The effect can be felt after 20 minutes of bathing.
Means for internal use
You can start treating allergies and cough with a decoction for internal use after the child reaches three months. Before starting therapy in children, be sure to consult a doctor.
Decoction of laurel leaves:
Cough tea with bay leaf and menthol
- In the evening, pour a liter of boiling water over bay leaves (10 large pieces) and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add 5 grams of crushed rose hips.
- Cover with a lid and leave until morning.
- Strain through cheesecloth and use.
The product increases appetite and regulates digestion processes, reduces allergic manifestations in children (including cough).
Directions for use and dosage for allergies and cough:
- For the treatment of children older than three months, give 2 drops of leaf decoction 3-4 times a day.
- From six months, children are prescribed 6-8 drops of the drug twice a day.
- From the age of three, a tablespoon is given three times a day for a 6-month course, and then periodically for preventive purposes.
The product can be mixed with water, tea, juices and compote. It is given regardless of meals at regular intervals.
Pediatricians advise starting to take a decoction for coughs and skin allergies with a small amount, monitoring the child’s condition. Then gradually the amount of the product is increased to the specified amount. The use of folk remedies for the treatment of allergic reactions in children does not exclude the possibility of using antihistamines and other conservative treatment.
Using bay leaves for allergies in infants
Very often, bay leaves are used to ease the well-being of a child with allergies. It has antiseptic and soothing properties, so it is excellent in eliminating skin rashes and severe itching. Bay leaves for allergies for infants are used in the following forms:
- Decoction;
- Tincture;
- Oils;
- Baths.
As before using any drug or product for infants, a preliminary consultation with your doctor is necessary. So, children under three months of age should not take the product internally; they can only use baths, no more than once a week, and oils, which should be well diluted so as not to cause additional irritation. Children also wipe the rash with a weak decoction of laurel.
If the baby's condition worsens after use, rash, redness and other signs, it is necessary to immediately stop using this product and consult a doctor for help.
BAY LEAF WILL RELIEF FROM MANY PROBLEMS
Useful properties of laurel
In addition to the fact that bay leaf gives the dish a rich spicy taste, it also has beneficial healing properties for the body of an adult and a child. These properties include:
- Speeds up metabolism and improves digestion;
- Helps remove waste and toxins from the body;
- With regular use, almost on a par with garlic, it helps strengthen the child’s immune system, as well as fight viruses and colds;
- Contains a large amount of vitamins A, B, C, PP;
- It is also a rich source of essential microelements for infants such as iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and others;
- Contains essential oils that are beneficial to the body, and also give the leaves a stable, rich smell and taste;
- It is an assistant for diabetics, as it is able to reduce the amount of glucose in the patient’s blood;
- Can be used as a sedative and hypnotic;
- Often used as a diuretic decoction;
- Helps in treating fungus in patients;
- Excellent disinfectant, can be used as a good antiseptic;
- Contains components that help patients with joint disorders or pathologies;
- There is a hypothesis that constant consumption of laurel helps prevent such dangerous diseases as cancer;
- Helps to induce menstruation if a girl has a long delay;
- For men it is a means of increasing potency;
- Helps in the fight against acne, especially often used to treat teenage skin.
In addition to these properties, the leaf also helps eliminate the unpleasant smell of rotten feet, and is also a repellent for household pests such as cockroaches and bedbugs. Most often, young girls can use it as a means of losing weight by taking laurel infusion orally.
Contraindications
Before you start using traditional medicine for treatment in children and adults, you should first consult with your doctor.
Even such a useful product as bay leaf has its own contraindications, which include:
- Obviously, but in case of personal intolerance, it is prohibited to use it as a treatment so as not to cause complications;
- Diabetes mellitus, especially severe type;
- Pregnant girls are not recommended to consume a large amount of decoction of laurel leaves, as it causes contractions of the uterus, which can lead to complications, possibly miscarriage. As for tinctures, it is strictly forbidden to use them; oils and baths can be used, but in low concentrations;
- Peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, so as not to cause irritation of the mucous membrane and deterioration of health;
- Frequent constipation, as bay leaves can also cause stool retention.
The danger of self-appointment
Without knowing the side effects of laurel, you cannot self-medicate. Despite its beneficial properties, it also has a negative effect on the body. Thus, improper use of this product can lead to constipation, burns, rashes, itching, and pregnant women may have a miscarriage.
Mothers of infants should carefully monitor the choice of alternative treatment product, know all the contraindications that can lead to complications, which is why it is important not to self-medicate, but to follow the indications of an allergist
External treatment of allergies with bay leaves
Food allergies are considered the most common among young children.
The child’s body still functions in an insufficient mode, so many food products are perceived by him as a foreign component that needs to be gotten rid of.
In most cases, the immune system adapts to a new food ingredient; if this does not happen, an allergic reaction develops. Food intolerance is expressed by skin changes - rash, redness of certain areas of the body, hives.
The basis of all these inflammations is the permeability of the vascular walls, through which toxins are released onto the skin. The use of bay leaves for allergies in the form of lotions for skin manifestations of the disease helps relieve swelling, inflammation and itching.
To prepare solutions for compresses, you can use recipes.
The first recipe.
Five medium laurel leaves are rinsed under running water, brewed with a glass of boiling water, boiled in an enamel container for about 15 minutes, then boiling water is added to the original volume.
You can use the cleaning product after it has cooled to a comfortable temperature.
When using bay leaf for allergies for the first time, you must first apply the decoction to intact skin on the forearm; the absence of redness for several hours indicates good tolerance.
In the herbal decoction, moisten a cotton swab and wipe the area with the rash with it; after this, do not wipe the skin, but wait until it dries on its own.
Bay leaf has a drying effect, so it can be used to treat weeping spots due to allergies.
The second recipe.
To treat skin manifestations of allergies, you can use baths with healing spices.
Use 100 grams of dry laurel leaves, brewed with a liter of boiling water. A liter of strong solution is enough for a regular bath; for children the dosage is halved.
After taking a bath, it is advisable not to wipe the body; after this procedure, the skin becomes soft, inflammation is relieved and the rash is reduced. A bath with bay leaves is carried out every other day; it helps well with diaper dermatitis and allergies to washing powders.
Recipe three.
Self-prepared bay leaf oil for allergies restores the skin well, softens dry areas and promotes rapid tissue regeneration.
Preparing the oil is quite simple - you need to take 200 milliliters of flaxseed oil and 3 bags (10 grams each) of bay leaf.
Heat the oil a little and pour it over the bay leaves placed in a glass jar. Then the container is tightly closed and put away in a dark place for a week.
After this, you can lubricate the necessary places on the body with oil. Bay oil also helps with allergic rhinitis; 1-3 drops of it are instilled into the nasal passages; treatment for children begins with a minimum dosage.
Causes of allergic reactions in babies
Food allergies in children
Food allergies are most common in children. The protective mechanisms of a child’s body do not work as flawlessly as those of adults, so ordinary components of food products are perceived by them as foreign.
With a decrease in adaptation mechanisms, an allergic reaction develops, expressed in redness of the skin, dermatitis, and urticaria.
The basis of skin allergies is the permeability of blood vessels, through which toxins enter the skin. In such cases, a decoction of bay leaves helps to remove swelling, itching and inflammation of tissues.
How to choose the right bay leaf?
Bay leaves are sold in various forms: they can be packaged in bags or collected in bunches along with twigs.
If you want to use it to eliminate allergy symptoms or for other medicinal purposes, you need to pay special attention to the process of choosing the spice. The spice must meet the following criteria:
The spice must meet the following criteria:
- A clean surface without heavy contamination or damage caused by plant diseases;
- Uniform color without yellow or brown spots, dark green color indicates freshness and high quality of the spice;
- A strong but pleasant spicy aroma without any bitterness.
The absence of the described signs indicates improper storage or processing of the bay leaf; in this case, it cannot be used for culinary or medicinal purposes.
How to choose the right laurel
Dry leaves of the noble tree are sold in any grocery store. It is better to buy them in a cellophane bag and store them for up to a year, after which time the taste deteriorates and useful components are lost. Fresh fragrant leaves can be purchased at the market in the summer; you need to carefully check that there are no yellow or brown spots or mold on the bay leaves, signaling that the tree on which they grew is infected with disease.
The medicinal spice should be stored in an airtight container and protected from sunlight. Before preparing the decoction, the leaves are washed under the tap and placed only in an enamel bowl filled with hot water. You can keep the finished product for no more than a day, since the useful components evaporate and the composition becomes bitter.
Bay leaf for allergies
Allergies are often called “a disease of the 21st century.” Poor ecology, poor nutrition, and an abundance of various synthetic materials and household chemicals have led to the fact that allergic rashes today occur in every second adult and even more often in children (usually newborns).
The cause of allergies can be almost any substance. As a rule, adults and children suffer from a cross-allergic reaction - nasal discharge or rashes occur when they come into contact with some kind of dye, as well as when eating a variety of foods with dye.
This type of illness is the most difficult to cure - it is simply impossible to predict what the allergy will trigger next time, and constantly drinking anti-allergic drugs is also harmful.
Therefore, the vast majority of allergy sufferers prefer to be treated using folk recipes, such as bay leaves for allergies. Of course, before using it, you must check whether you are allergic to such a product.
Allergies most often occur in childhood due to the child's poor immune system. Some substances suddenly cease to be recognized by the immune system and the small body reacts to them as sources of a dangerous infection, trying to reject all foreign substances. Predisposing factors to allergies:
- Hereditary predisposition
- Frequent respiratory diseases.
- Unfavorable environment.
- Work at chemical plants.
The main beneficial properties of bay leaf
Everyone knows bay leaf as a common seasoning for cooking. But this amazing plant also has healing properties:
- Activation of the human body's defenses (immune system).
- Effective antimicrobial effect.
- Cleansing the body of toxins.
- Increasing the body's resistance to stress.
- Reducing the appearance of fatigue.
- Reducing swelling.
The healing properties of this plant for allergies are explained by the content of numerous antibacterial substances in it, as well as substances that promote metabolic processes.
In addition, bay leaves contain acids, tannins and various trace elements.
The use of bay leaf for allergies in adults
External use of bay leaf for allergies in adults helps to quickly get rid of external manifestations (itching, redness, swelling) with the help of:
- Rubdown.
- Lotion.
- Bathing.
- Applying oil to diseased parts of the body.
Taking tinctures and decoctions of bay leaves will strengthen the immune system and help the body cope with external irritants from the inside.
Bay leaf decoction
For lotions and rubbing, you need to brew bay leaves according to the standard recipe.
- Heat 1 liter of water in a saucepan (only enamel dishes are suitable).
- We wash ten bay leaves in running water and lower them into a saucepan until it boils (they cannot be placed in boiling water).
- Bring the broth to a boil and wait for approximately half of the liquid to boil away.
- After this, remove from the heat, cover with a lid, and let the broth brew for at least half an hour. It should cool to normal room temperature.
The resulting product should be wiped over the affected areas of the body a couple of times a day. Its beneficial qualities will relieve the skin from swelling, itching and inflammation.
It is important that the material used is soft and does not cause pain to the skin.
Before the first use, you should definitely check whether you are allergic to laurel. So, to do this, select a healthy area of skin and wipe it with a decoction. We monitor the reaction throughout the day. If there is no irritation or redness, then you can safely use medicinal solutions based on this plant in any form: ointments, decoctions, infusions.
Bath with bay leaf infusion
Such a bath will help with extensive manifestations of allergy symptoms, if the itching and inflammation have spread to several parts of the body at once. Of course, a concentrated decoction will be required for a whole bath.
To do this, take a liter of water, 100 grams of bay leaves and prepare a decoction according to the standard recipe. After this, pour it into a warm bath. You can lie in the bath for 20-25 minutes a couple of times a week. After completing the procedure, it is not advisable to dry your body with a towel; it is much better to let it dry naturally.
It is worth noting that such baths have a unique calming property, normalize the nervous system, and normalize sleep.
Internal use
Taking laurel decoctions and tinctures requires caution. Before starting a course of treatment, it is worth checking the body’s reaction to the components of the plant.
Adults
Quite often, when allergies occur, adults resort to antihistamines. However, the use of bay leaves for allergies in adults shows high effectiveness. This plant contains many useful substances, effectively cleanses the body of accumulated allergens and neutralizes their effect on the body.
Adults are advised to use both decoctions and alcohol tinctures. The latter option has a number of contraindications that are important to consider during treatment. Decoctions are taken three times a day, 50 ml, tinctures, 15-20 drops.
Children
Bay leaf is a specific medicinal plant that can both help and harm. Therefore, it is very important to visit your pediatrician before starting oral use.
It is worth noting that, contrary to recommendations, preschool children should not take plant-based products orally, because many pediatricians do not share such recommendations.
Bay leaf decoctions can be given to children from the age of seven (to prepare them, the number of leaves is halved: 10 pieces per liter of water), starting with a few drops and gradually increasing the single dose to 1 tbsp. l. three times a day. The course of treatment ranges from 14 days to 1/2 year.
Why are laurel leaves so beneficial?
Everyone knows that bay leaf is an excellent seasoning, but few people know that bay leaves are an excellent remedy for treating allergies.
This is due to the fact that the leaves of the plant contain a large number of useful substances, such as essential oils, various acids, tannins and microelements, which have vascular strengthening, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the active substances of laurel help improve metabolic processes, normalize the digestive tract, remove toxins and calm the nervous system. In general, bay leaf has immunostimulating, antimicrobial, astringent, diuretic and sedative properties.
Bay leaves are used for allergies both internally and externally. Compresses and lotions are used when allergies mostly affect the skin. Internal problems are treated with courses of infusions and decoctions of the plant. Bay leaves are also used to prepare a wide variety of mixtures and extracts that improve the functioning of the entire body, which do not act as quickly as antibiotics, but relieve allergy symptoms much better. Long-term use of bay leaf decoction promotes the body's effective fight against pathogenic bacteria and rapid cleansing of the intestines, due to which toxins and harmful substances do not linger in the body for a long time, and therefore do not interfere with the normal functioning of all organs and systems.
Characteristics and composition of laurel
Laurel is an evergreen tree that grows in the subtropics and tropics. It is especially common in Mediterranean countries. Laurel flowers are small, white, collected in umbrella inflorescences. The main value is its leaves. They are dense, have an elongated shape, and are dark green in color.
The god of love Eros was angry with Apollo and decided to punish him for his arrogance. He shot an arrow at him that evoked love, and at the nymph Daphne an arrow that evoked disgust. Apollo suffered from love for Daphne and pursued her everywhere. Daphne asked the gods for protection, and Zeus turned her into a laurel tree. Apollo made the laurel evergreen. Since then, the Greeks have revered this tree as sacred.
Laurel wreaths are still a symbol of victory. The word laureate, which refers to the winners of competitions or competitions, is translated as “crowned with laurels.”
Bay leaves contain vitamins and microelements:
- ascorbic acid;
- vitamin A;
- B vitamins;
- fatty acid;
- iron;
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- sodium;
- manganese;
- zinc.
100 grams of product contain 48 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of proteins, 7 grams of fat. Calorie content of 100 grams of spice is 313 kcal. The seasoning contains an essential oil - cineole. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
In nature, there are several plants similar to laurel and also used in cooking:
- Malabar cinnamon, Indian bay leaf, tey pat. This tree grows in the southern Himalayas. Its leaves smell like cinnamon and cloves. The seasoning is popular in North India.
- Salam, Indonesian bay leaf. Grows in Indonesia, Malaysia. It has small leaves with a sour taste.
- West Indian bay leaf. These are actually allspice leaves, popular in the Caribbean.
- Boldo is a Chilean spice. It has a bitter taste and rich aroma.
Real bay leaves have a spicy, slightly sweet aroma. The taste is woody, with tart resinous notes. Previously, the aromatic plant was added to water for washing hands. It has been used as a seasoning since the Middle Ages. Now the main suppliers of spices are Greece and Türkiye. In Russia, laurel grows in the south.
To watch a program about the secrets of spices:
Ways to use bay leaf
You can prepare a decoction, infusion or bay oil from bay leaves. The method of application primarily depends on the age of the children.
For children under 3 months of age, laurel treatment can only be used externally. Oral use at such an early age can harm the young body, causing a number of side effects!
When the child’s age has exceeded 3 months, it is allowed to administer the infusion of the medicinal leaf drop by drop inside.
Before use, you need to clearly decide in what form to prepare the medicine from bay leaves: decoction, infusion or oil.
As mentioned above, the age of the child will be an indicator for this. If your baby is not yet 3 months old, prepare a decoction and use it as lotions, rubdowns and baths.
For children over three months of age, an infusion can be prepared for oral use. For allergic rhinitis in children of this age group, it is allowed to use laurel oil.
Additional tips and tricks
Treatment of diathesis and allergies in children with seasoning-based products should be started only after the doctor’s permission and the proportions must be observed, otherwise the baby’s condition may worsen. The dose of leaf decoction should not exceed:
- up to 3 months - 2 drops per day;
- from 6 - 4 at a time;
- from a year to 3 - three spoons per day.
For allergic rhinitis, laurel oil should not be instilled into the nose of a newborn; this method of treatment is suitable for a child older than 3 months. When preparing a bath for bathing a baby, you need to add no more than 1 liter of broth to 2 buckets of water. The duration of the course of therapy must be agreed with the doctor. If the baby develops irritation on the body, any procedures are stopped. Sometimes bay leaves cause allergies in a baby. A mother who is breastfeeding her baby will also have to stop using the seasoning.
Recommendations for use
Laurel helps to quickly get rid of the disease. It is used as a basis for various decoctions, infusions and other remedies. The plant can be used against allergies in children in the following forms:
- Dried bay leaf. It is available and inexpensive. You can buy it in almost every grocery store. Dried laurel can be stored for several years.
- Fresh bay leaf. Getting such a product is problematic, since this plant is not found in our latitude. But anyone can grow laurel as a houseplant. The fresh leaf has a large amount of essential essential oils and organic acids.
Almost every day, most people on the planet consume a decoction of bay leaves, because they are added to soups and other dishes for flavor. This substance is most often used to treat allergies in newborns. To prepare it, you need to boil 2 liters of water and add 10 g of dry or 20 g of fresh bay leaves to it. The liquid sits for 10 minutes over low heat and then cools. A decoction of bay leaves for allergies should be added to the water every time you bathe or wipe the areas affected by dermatitis with it several times a day.
An infusion of bay leaves can be prepared in two ways: with water and with alcohol. For children, only the first option is suitable. To prepare it, you need to thoroughly wash and dry the laurel, and then chop it. The leaves are poured into a bottle and poured with boiling water. The infusion must be kept in a dark place for 24 hours. For children under one year of age, it is used as a local remedy for wiping skin areas with rashes; older children can add a few drops of infusion to their food per day.
The laurel oil recipe will be especially useful for those who have cracks at the site of the rash and severely dry skin. To prepare it, you need to take 30 g of the crushed plant and pour it with 1 glass of pure linseed oil. The mixture should infuse for about a week. After this time, oil should be applied to areas with rashes and redness.
Plant based recipes
Before choosing a suitable prescription for treating allergies, you should consult with a specialist in the field. After all, many medicinal plants have a number of contraindications and restrictions.
When using bay leaves to treat allergies for the first time, you need to conduct a small test on the body's reaction. When administered orally, you should take a few drops orally and observe; if no reactions occur, then the decoction can be taken in recommended doses.
For external use, the test is carried out using a swab moistened with the product, which is applied to an area of skin without signs of inflammation for 15-25 minutes. If redness and itching do not appear, the product can be used.
Decoction recipe
To make a decoction you will need 20 large bay leaves, 1 liter of boiling water, 1 tsp. crushed rose hips.
- Pour boiling water over the leaves, put on low heat and bring to a boil. Then wait for a few minutes.
- Remove the container from the heat and add chopped rose hips to the broth.
- The mixture should sit for 12 hours.
- The finished broth is filtered using a piece of gauze.
The decoction is taken 3 times a day, 50 ml.
Tincture recipe
To prepare the tincture you will need 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry crushed bay leaves and 1/4 liter of vodka.
- Place the raw materials in a glass container (preferably dark) and fill with vodka.
- Place in a dark, cool place for 14 days.
- Filter using a piece of gauze.
The tincture is taken three times a day, 20 drops (adults only!).
To make a tincture, an alcohol-containing base is always used, while a decoction is prepared using water. Therefore, the tincture can only be taken by adults, while the decoction can be taken by children (of school age).
The essence of the plant may cause burns if applied undiluted.
Using the plant's essential oil
Bay laurel essential oil is a fairly aggressive agent, so it is recommended to use it in combination with softer oils. In undiluted form, ether can provoke an exacerbation of allergies, as well as cause a burn when applied to the skin. Under no circumstances should ether be taken orally in its pure form.
Features of using ether:
- Used with caution in pediatrics; contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
- For skin manifestations of allergies, essential oil is applied to the skin as part of combined oils, creams or ointments. The ether content in them should not exceed 5%.
- Ready-made oils, ointments and creams are applied to problem areas of the skin in small quantities with light circular movements. Do not rub in the products to avoid injury to the skin or burns.
Bay oil at home
To make it you will need 30 g of ground dry leaves and 1/4 liter of linseed oil.
Recipe:
- Pour oil over bay leaves.
- Mix the resulting mixture thoroughly and pour into a dark glass container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Leave the mixture for 10 days in a cool, dark place.
Bay oil is used to eliminate atopic rashes and to treat allergic rhinitis.
The product can be used locally or added to baths.
Treatment of allergic rhinitis with bay leaf
Rhinitis is one of the common manifestations of an allergic reaction; external use of drugs is ineffective to eliminate this symptom.
It is recommended to take a course of internal administration of a decoction of bay leaves, but it is much more advisable to choose one of the following treatment methods:
- An alcohol solution is prepared, proportions: a tablespoon of leaves per glass of vodka. The product must be kept for 2 weeks, after which it is used to moisten gauze or cotton swabs, which are applied as compresses to the area of the paranasal sinuses or the projection area of the nasal cavity. Compresses are applied before bedtime and removed in the morning. It is recommended to undergo 2-3 procedures per week if signs of a runny nose caused by allergies appear;
- Rinsing the nose with bay decoction not only relieves rhinitis, but also provides antiseptic treatment of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and relieves local inflammation;
- Instill 2-3 drops of bay oil into the nose when the first signs of allergic rhinitis appear. It is recommended to prepare the oil yourself according to the same recipe that is used for external treatment of infants, since pharmaceutical products can burn the mucous membranes;
- Inhalations are one of the most effective ways to treat rhinitis. It is necessary to prepare the decoction according to the standard recipe, bring it to a boil in a saucepan and let it cool to the optimal temperature so as not to get burned. After this, tilt your head over the container with the product, cover it with a towel and begin to inhale the vapors. The procedure continues until the decoction has completely cooled, after which you should lie down on the bed, and after half an hour get up and tilt your head to facilitate the removal of residual mucus, which should be blown out. Inhalations are practiced not only to treat allergic rhinitis, but also for preventive purposes to strengthen the immune system.
Bay leaf: medicinal properties and uses
The spice is known to mankind for its spicy aroma and ability to improve the taste of any dish. The product contains essential oils that have a pronounced therapeutic effect on a number of diseases. Bay leaf is the raw material for extracting camphor and cineole.
It acts as a source of valuable microelements and vitamins that help alleviate well-being during exacerbation of rheumatological diseases, support immunity and improve appetite.
The seasoning helps in the treatment and prevention of diseases:
- arthrosis and arthritis;
- neuroses;
- colds;
- stomatitis;
- ligament damage, bruises;
- diabetes;
- menstrual irregularities;
- oncological diseases;
- facilitates the course of tuberculosis.
The seasoning is used in cosmetology; it eliminates pigmentation and can suppress pathogens (cleanse the skin of blackheads and pimples). The composition of the plant is rich in beneficial compounds that are valuable for strengthening human health:
- acetic and formic acids are natural preservatives, antibiotics that suppress the development of putrefactive processes in the stomach;
- caproic acid has an anti-inflammatory effect and can stop bleeding;
- butyric acid optimizes metabolic processes, is an energy booster, and protects colon tissue from pathological processes;
- phytosterol counteracts the accumulation of bad cholesterol;
- lauric acid suppresses viruses, optimizes the balance of healthy cholesterol;
- camphor stimulates blood circulation, relieves inflammation, destroys microbes, reduces pain, has an expectorant, vasoconstrictor, cardiotonic effect;
- properties of bay leaf:
- linalool calms the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
- tanning components are known for their antimicrobial, astringent, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic effect;
- vitamins B1, B2, B6, B9, A, C, P, as well as trace elements potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, selenium have a comprehensive healing effect.
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
Bay leaves are a strong natural antiseptic that has anti-inflammatory properties and produces an analgesic effect.
Its infusion is used in the treatment of infectious diseases of the oral cavity, mucous membranes, and for the disinfection of abrasions and skin lesions. The antiseptic effect is achieved by the presence of formic and caproic acids, camphor and tannins.
In case of fungal infection, severe sweating, burning and itching of the feet, rinse with infusion of bay leaf. The procedure soothes and dries damaged skin of the feet, and the odor goes away.
Dermatitis, skin rashes, acne
Preparations containing bay leaves have also found wide external use. A decoction and ointment made from this raw material, due to its tonic and anti-inflammatory effects, are natural effective remedies for getting rid of many skin diseases, such as acne and dandruff.
Aleppo soap, popular all over the world, is a unique combination of laurel and olive oils. This drug is effective in combating acne and other types of chronic skin problems. Thanks to its strong antibacterial properties and simple composition, this soap improves the condition of even the most sensitive and allergy-prone skin. In addition, it accelerates the regeneration of the epidermis.
For psoriasis: Select 10 dry, healthy – without stains – leaves, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water in a thermos, leave for 2 hours. Take half a glass 3 times a day shortly before meals.
Composition and beneficial properties of bay leaf
The spice, which is brought from the Caucasus, the Mediterranean, and the countries of Asia Minor, not only has a pleasant smell, but also cleanses the body of waste products and stimulates metabolism. Laurel leaves are rich in:
- magnesium and potassium;
- zinc and phosphorus;
- selenium and iron;
- organic acids.
The plant product contains essential oils, tannins, camphor, and vitamins of several groups. Bay leaf functions as an antiseptic and sedative and strengthens the immune system in children. When using seasoning infusions:
- Salts are removed from the joints.
- The pressure decreases.
- The % of blood sugar decreases.
With the help of bay leaves, pathologies caused by fungi, bacteria, dysentery, skin diseases are treated, and a specific odor in the oral cavity is removed. However, parents should not forget that herbal decoctions should not be given to infants without consulting a pediatrician.
Use for newborn children
At what age bay leaves can be given to children should be decided by an allergist, who must be visited before starting therapy. It is usually not given orally to infants under 3 months. Baths and rubdowns can be done before this age.
Externally
For external treatment of children's skin, lotions and rubdowns are made. To do this, brew 3 leaves with 200 ml of hot water and boil until it boils by half. Then pour in boiled water to the original volume.
Inflamed areas of the skin are wiped no more than 5 times a day, the lotions are kept for 20-30 minutes.
Children over 3 months old with allergic rhinitis can put the oil in the nose, 2-3 drops, treat dry areas of the skin and add it when bathing. It is better for kids to make the oil themselves, it is less concentrated, and parents will be confident in the completely natural composition.
Inside
Children often refuse to take a bay leaf decoction and spit it out; in such cases, it is diluted with tea, water, juice or vegetable purees. Take the medicine according to the nature of the allergic reaction, age and dosage.
You need to start with microdoses to assess the reaction, then use the recommended amount.
To relieve allergy symptoms in a child and reduce the risk of a negative reaction to bay leaves, the decoction for infants is made weak. Instead of 10 sheets, take 2-3 pieces per 500 ml of water. The prepared liquid is used to treat the skin of children externally or ingest it internally.
Beneficial features
Photo: Blooming laurel tree
Have you ever wondered why bay leaf is useful? And why is it actively used in everyday life. The answer is simple - bay leaves contain:
- healthy oils,
- aromatic potent substances and acids,
- Vitamin C
- a small amount of protein.
Its beneficial effect is associated with strengthening the walls of blood vessels. It has a strong immunostimulating effect, relieves inflammation, itching and irritation. The plant also promotes the removal of toxins and restores the functioning of the digestive tract. Used in the form of compresses, lotions and infusions.
Bay oil has beneficial qualities. It is a potent diuretic, removes germs and bacteria, strengthens the immune system.
A proven folk remedy for allergies is eggshells with lemon juice.
Find out more about its correct use in this article.