Are you Aware of the Top 9 Benefits of Organic Bay Leaves?
Organic bay leaves have been in use since times immemorial in many parts of the world. The bay leaf actually comes from different but similar plants, growing in different parts of the world and, depending on the plant, has a somewhat different flavor.
The sweet bay tree called Laurus nobilis grows in Europe. The California bay leaf that has a strong eucalyptus-mint flavor comes from the Umbellularia californica plant. The Indian bay leaf or tej patta plant is known as Cinnamomum tamala. In West Indies, Mexico and Indonesia, the bay leaf that is used in foods, comes from other varieties of the laurel plant. Poet laureate and laurel leaves are words that are associated with bay leaves and signify winners in other parts of the world.
From ancient times fresh and dry bay leaves whole have been used for their medicinal properties. Dry bay leaves can be crushed or ground and can also be used whole.
How are Organic Bay Leaves Used?
Unlike many spices whose flavor intensifies when dry, fresh organic bay leaves have a much stronger flavor that reduces when it dries. If you are using the dried herb instead of the fresh one, use double - two leaves instead of one fresh green leaf. Organic bay leaves are best added in the beginning of the cooking process as the longer they cook or simmer, the more complex flavors they release.
Whole bay leaves or the dried herb can be added to soups and stews, in rice, in gravies and sauces in bouquet garni and even sweets like custards and creams. The ground spice can be added, in small quantities, to stuffing or curries.
Fresh or dry, organic bay leaves are best not eaten as they are woody and fibrous. Ideally, they are removed before serving, or you can just remove them from your food as you are eating. You can also put the organic bay leaves in a muslin cloth or mesh infuser that makes it easy to remove the whole spice. The dried herb can also be ground into a powder and used; do not grind fresh leaves.
What Do Organic Bay Leaves Contain?
Organic bay leaves are a source of Vitamins A and C, B vitamins, manganese, calcium copper, iron, and folic acid. Bay leaf (whole) contains many micronutrients and compounds that have medicinal properties. Some of the substances in bay leaves that give them their characteristic flavor and aroma are:
- Terpenes
- Eucalyptol
- Terpinyl acetate
- Sesquiterpenes
- Methyleugenol
- Pinenes
- Phellandrene
- Linalool
- Geraniol
- Terpineol
- Lauric acid
- Myrcene
- Eugenol
These are actually the compounds that yield some of the health benefits of organic bay leaves.
What are the Health Benefits of Organic Bay Leaves?
Whether you use fresh or dry, whole or powdered organic bay leaves, you are not only get a depth that it adds to dishes, but you also reap many health benefits such as protection against:
- Cancer
Various studies have found that many substances, present in organic bay leaves, help fight cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer and leukemia.
- Diabetes
Using organic bay leaves in food helps with better glucose control and improves blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes.
- Fungal infections
The essential oils that bay leaves contain have shown to have a significant effect against fungal infections caused by candida.
- Heart problems
Compounds like rutin and caffeic acid, found in bay leaves, help lower bad cholesterol levels and also strengthen the capillaries, improving heart health.
- Psychological issues like anxiety and stress
Tea made with bay leaves can aid with anxiety and stress. If you burn bay leaves as part of aromatherapy, it will calm you down.
- Digestive problems
Organic bay leaves contain many compounds that alleviate simple digestive issues, are anti-vomiting and even have a positive effect on IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and celiac disease.
- Inflammation disorders
Bay leaves contain parthenolide, a phytonutrient that combats inflammatory disorders such as arthritis and joint pain. Extracts from bay leaf may also be used in topical ointments and creams for local application in pain relief.
- Menstrual cramps
This herb helps regularize periods and also reduces menstrual cramps and the pain associated with them.
- Insomnia
When you suffer from insomnia and find it difficult to fall asleep, you can consume some bay leaf extract mixed with water and you will enjoy restful sleep.
Apart from these benefits, organic bay leaves are often used as insect repellents. In fact, crushed bay leaves when mixed with some oil can be used to reduce to the sting of bug bites. Bay leaf oil can be mixed with hair oil and used to combat dandruff and hair fall. It may also help with lice infestation.
Using organic bay leaves, fresh or dried herb, whole, crushed or powdered should be part of your daily cooking routine not only for its taste and flavor, but also its numerous health benefits.
Bay Leaf Varieties:
There are many varieties of bay leaves, and they have different flavors and properties. Here is a list of the most common varieties: For flavoring poultry and vegetables, sweet bay leaves are the classic choice. The plant, also known as California bay, is native to the eastern Mediterranean but also grows in California and Australia. These aromatic leaves are similar in flavor to oregano and thyme. Also called Turkey Bay or Turkish Bay, these leaves can be used in soups, stews, fish dishes, and salads.
Bay leaves are a staple of European, Latin American, and Californian cooking. The flavor they give to dishes like soups and stews is hard to resist, especially once you're acquainted with it. There are two main types: dried and fresh. The most common is the dried bay leaf, which is often used to season soups and stews. This type of bay leaf can also be crumbled and tied into a piece of cheesecloth (or a "sachet") and then used for seasoning casseroles or stews where it's not convenient to have whole leaves. Fresh bay leaves, on the other hand, are often used in more delicate dishes since their flavor isn't as strong as that of dried leaves, where whole leaves can be crumbled directly into the food.
Conclusion:
Organic bay leaves have a myriad of uses around the home and garden. They are also widely used in herbal teas, soups, casseroles, and many other dishes. We can add that to fried rice, eggplant caviar, rice pilaf etc and it will give different flavor to them. From easing congestion to improving the skin's elasticity, here are nine amazing benefits of organic bay leaves. Organic bay leaves also contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B-2 which is used in the process of creating red blood cells, and Vitamin B-6.
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