7 True Bay Leaf Tea Benefits (Bay Laurel)
Bay leaf tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the bay laurel tree. The trees’ scientific name is Laurus nobilis.
Bay leaves are dried and steeped in hot water to make Bay leaf tea. This process extracts their flavors, aromas, and the potential health benefits of the bay leaves.
Some bay leaf tea benefits include: aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and promoting healthy skin.
Drinking Bay leaf tea may also help to lower blood sugar levels. And the tea may improve respiratory function among other things.
So let’s take a closer look at seven benefits of bay leaf tea that have scientific backing.
Bay Leaf Tea Benefits
Drinking Bay leaf tea is associated with several potential health benefits. Here are some of the Bay leaf tea benefits that are commonly mentioned:
1. Digestive Aid
Bay leaf tea is believed to have carminative properties. This means one of the many bay leaf tea benefits is that it may help to relieve digestive discomfort, bloating, and gas.
It may also help stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, aiding in the digestion of food.
2. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Bay leaves contain compounds, such as parthenolide, which have shown anti-inflammatory effects in studies.
Consuming bay leaf tea may help reduce inflammation in the body and provide relief from conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Pain Relieving Properties
Joint pain is often the result of inflammation in the lining of joints. Inflammation may cause joints to turn red, swell and become painful.
The anti-inflammatory compounds in bay leaves can reduce inflammation of the joint to ease the pain.
4. Enhanced Skin Appearance
Another Bay leaf tea benefit is that it contains antioxidants that can help combat free radicals and oxidative stress, which may contribute to skin aging.
Some people believe that drinking bay leaf tea or applying it topically as a rinse can improve the appearance of the skin and promote a healthy complexion.
5. Blood Sugar Control
Some studies suggest that bay leaf tea may have a positive effect on blood sugar control.
It may help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, potentially benefiting individuals with diabetes or prediabetes. However, it’s important to note that more research is needed in this area.
6. Improved Respiratory Health
Bay leaf tea is sometimes used as a natural remedy for respiratory issues like coughs, colds, sinus congestion, and congestion.
The tea is believed to have expectorant properties. This means it may help to loosen mucus and promote easier breathing.
7. Cholesterol Management
Studies of both human and animal subjects show that Bay leaf may help reduce bad cholesterol.
On study of healthy volunteers reported that healthy volunteers who consumed bay leaf tea improved their blood lipid profile.
Their HDL levels increased and their was a small decrease in levels of their LDL and triglycerides.
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Bay Leaf Tea Recipe
Here’s how to make Bay leaf tea. Just follow these few simple steps and within 10 minutes you enjoy the benefits of Bay leaf tea.
- Choose dried bay leaves: Select five or six whole, dried bay leaves. Rinse them to remove and dust or debris.
- Crush the leaves: Gently crush or crumble the bay leaves to release their aromatic oils. This step helps enhance the flavor of the tea.
- Boil water: Bring two cups of water to a boil in a small pot to make two cups of tea.
- Add bay leaves: Once the water has reached a boil, add the crushed bay leaves to the pot. Simmer and steep:
- Reduce heat: Lower the heat to low and allow the bay leaves to simmer in the water for about 4 or 5minutes. This simmering process helps infuse the flavors into the tea.
- Remove from heat and steep: Turn off the heat and let the bay leaves steep in the hot water for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. Steeping allows the water to extract the beneficial compounds from the leaves.
- Strain and serve: After steeping, strain the tea to remove the bay leaves, and pour the tea into cups. You can drink it as is or add honey or lemon for extra flavor if desired.
Keep in mind that bay leaf tea has a strong and distinct flavor, which can be slightly bitter.
Mediterranean Bay Leaf Tree
To get the full bay leaf tea benefits, you will need to make your tea using true bay leaves. Here is a brief description of the Laurus nolilis (Bay Laurel) tree.
The bay leaf tree is native to the Mediterranean region but is now grown in many parts of the world. It prefers warm climates with plenty of sunlight.
In its natural habitat, the tree can be found growing in forests or along coastal areas.
The bay leaf tree is a beautiful evergreen tree that can grow quite tall, reaching heights of around 40 to 60 feet.
It has a dense, round-shaped crown with many branches covered in shiny, dark green leaves.
Where to Buy Bay Leaves
You can find dried bay leaves in you local grocery stores. You can also buy them from online marketplaces and health food stores.
The leaves of the bay have a smooth texture.
They are often used in cooking to add flavor to soups, stews, and other dishes.
The tree also produces small, round berries that turn from green to purple when they ripen.
These berries are not typically used for cooking. Instead left on the tree or used for decorative purposes.
Bay leaves are sold as crushed loose leaves, teabag or bay leaf powder.
It’s important to ensure that you are purchasing genuine bay leaves so you can get the real bay leaf tea benefits.
Bay Leaf Tea Side Effects
In rare cases, bay leaf tea may cause digestive issues such as stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting.
If you experience any discomfort after consuming bay leaf tea, it’s best to discontinue its use.
Cineole and Eugenol are two of the compounds found in bay leaves. These compounds can be toxic if they are consumed in large amounts.
So, it’s important to use bay leaf tea in moderation and not to exceed recommended amounts.
If you are allergic to plants in the Lauraceae family, such as cinnamon, camphor, or sassafras, you may want to avoid drinking bay leaf tea.
Conclusion
Bay leaf is a common herb widely used for cooking and bay leaf tea benefits are enjoyed by many people. In addition, Bay leaves possess a number of compounds that are useful in fighting disease.
While bay leaf tea has potential benefits, it’s essential to remember that scientific research on its specific effects is limited.
Therefore, it’s always a good idea to moderate your consumption of herbal teas, including bay leaf tea.
And you should always consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or pre-existing health conditions.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only.Nothing stated here should be viewed as medical advice. Please talk with your Professional Healthcare Provider about matters relating to medical treatments.