Laurel is a plant with a rich history, the eternal companion of emperors and artists. Today, most of us use it only as a familiar seasoning for cabbage soup, sauerkraut and a plate of dumplings.. And few people remember why the bay leaf became so famous - its medicinal properties were known long before the moment when someone unknown came up with adding fragrant leaves to food..

A bit of history and legends Ancient Greek mythology - a treasure trove of romantic delirium and intriguing myths - tells its story of the appearance of laurel on earth. Apollo's failed lover Daphne was turned into an evergreen tree, and since then the laurel that crowned the head of the inconsolable Apollo has been both a symbol of continuous sorrow and a sign of victory.. At competitions in honor of Apollo, the patron saint of the muses, the heads of poets and musicians were crowned with wreaths of laurel leaves, and in ancient Greek frescoes Nike laid such wreaths on the heads of heroes. In ancient Rome, the laurel finally established itself as a symbol of glory and greatness.. Julius Caesar, George I and George II, Napoleon and Peter I - all these people were depicted with laurel wreaths on their heads.

And the bay leaf has long symbolized immortality, it is no coincidence that the tree itself can live up to 400 years - not every oak can boast of such. And although bay leaves cannot give such a long life to people, good health and a delicious dinner will provide.

What's in?

Bay leaf - a unique plant in its composition. It contains essential oils and fatty acids, and the calorie content of laurel is as much as 313 calories per 100 g.. Of course, no one eats it in such quantities, so all the fats in the laurel are only good. There are not so many vitamins in it, but there are necessary ones - A, C, groups B and PP. Trace elements are also the most important for the body - potassium, calcium, manganese, iron... And the resins and phytoncides in the composition of the bay leaf turn it into an excellent antiseptic.

Bay leaf on your table Cooking is the area where the bay leaf is simply indispensable. We are used to adding it to all broths, soups and pickles, but laurel can do much more..

Fragrant bitterness of laurel will refresh not only the ear, but also other dishes with seafood - shrimp and crabs. The bay leaf will give a pleasant shade to the second dishes of meat, legumes, cabbage. If you try to throw a leaf of laurel into an ordinary potato while cooking, then you will no longer be able to do without this seasoning.! And maybe you can... The main thing is to remember the basic rule of the bay leaf: put it in soups for 4-5 minutes before the end of cooking and then take it out. Fragrant leaves can be put into main dishes almost immediately if the dish is stewed for a long time - 10-15 minutes before the end. But again - take out after cooking!

As an antiseptic and fragrant spice, bay leaf is added to all marinades and preparations: sauerkraut and pickled tomatoes, stewed meat and canned fish, pickled and salted mushrooms. And before, laurel was always placed in briquettes with dried fruits so that parasitic flies would not start..

A definite plus of bay leaf is that it goes well with other spices.. It is no coincidence that bachelors like to add a leaf or two of laurel and a couple of clove umbrellas to a plate of dumplings for piquancy..

In addition to cloves, bay leaves are good mixed with sage, dried and fresh rosemary, thyme, hot and fragrant pepper, and the usual dill with parsley..

Today in stores you can find ground bay leaves and granules, but the best and proven product is dried leaves.. They should be an even olive color, ideally not broken.. Laurel leaves are stored for only a year, so always look at the seasoning production time..

Bay leaf - your home doctor Today, laurel essential oil is popular in the medical and cosmetic industries, it is used in perfumes, ointments and even preparations for the treatment of farm animals. However, decoctions, infusions and even oils from dried bay leaves are widely used in folk medicine..

The beneficial properties of bay leaf are indispensable for strengthening immunity, as a tonic, and even for removing toxins.. For these purposes, we prepare a bay infusion: pour about 15 medium laurel leaves with water (300 ml), bring to a boil and boil over low heat for 4-5 minutes. Then we insist 4 hours and drink a tablespoon all day so that the broth is enough for 3 days. After 2 weeks, the strengthening course can be repeated.

Laurel leaves help to calm down and sleep well. So, if your little child is naughty and does not fall asleep well, put a couple of fragrant dry leaves next to the crib - a restful sleep is guaranteed.. Runny nose, cough and pain in the ears are also treated with a decoction of bay leaves, and foot baths with infusion of laurel will relieve sweating of the feet..

Bay leaf from the joints helps, and also goes well for food For joints and bones Since ancient times, in folk medicine, bay leaf has been used from the joints - for gout, rheumatism and arthritis. Laurel decoction for cleansing blood vessels is prepared in the same way as for strengthening immunity, however, the break between courses should be 3 days.

To relieve pain in osteochondrosis, laurel oil is suitable. Make it like this: 1 table. pour a spoonful of finely chopped fragrant leaves with a glass of olive oil, leave it warm for a couple of weeks. We keep the finished odorous oil in the refrigerator. Use bay oil as needed, at night, rubbing into sore spots.

Bay leaf for beauty To restore and preserve beauty, the bay leaf has also been used for a long time - its medicinal properties are valued here in two directions..

First: bay leaf is an excellent antiseptic. Pimples, allergic rashes and inflammations on the skin are successfully treated with both laurel essential oil and infusions on dried leaves.. If you regularly wipe the skin with a decoction of laurel, you can get rid of age spots, old acne marks and even out skin tone.. If you regularly wipe oily skin with infusion of laurel or ice cubes from it, you can remove excess shine and reduce pores..

Bay leaf also tones the skin, gives it a healthy look and smoothes early wrinkles.. And if you regularly rinse your hair with infusion of bay leaf with lemon juice, this will enhance their growth and give an amazing shine.. By the way, decoctions of bay leaves are a long-standing secret of the lush hair of Georgian beauties..

Bay leaf - what is its danger?

Bay leaf has long been valued all over the world - its benefits and harms are also well studied.. And if bay leaf is unlikely to harm as a fragrant seasoning for your dinner, then you should be more careful with a medicine based on laurel..

Laurel tincture provokes constipation, so people with such problems are also advised to choose a different method of treatment.. It is strictly forbidden to use bay leaf during pregnancy for medicinal purposes, the same restrictions are for young children and people with metabolic disorders.

Periodically there is an allergy to bay leaf, and if you overdo it with infusion - even poisoning. Therefore, before starting a course of treatment with laurel decoctions, it is better to consult a doctor..

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