Bay leaves are commonly used in the kitchen as an aromatic condiment. This excellent natural remedy is also useful for treating some health problems, and for skin and hair care. Home cosmetics based on bay leaf smooth wrinkles and fine lines and prevent the formation of new ones. A bay leaf mask will tighten, smooth the skin, even out the color and narrow the pores.
Bay leaf properties
The bay leaf tree is native to the Mediterranean. It is often used in the kitchen to flavor dishes, but it also has medicinal and cosmetic properties. Has been used for many years to treat a variety of conditions: relieve pain, improve digestion, and treat coughs.
It is also used for some skin problems such as acne and in the treatment of wrinkles. Its antioxidant properties help increase skin elasticity and make it smoother. In addition, they have antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial and disinfectant properties.
Wrinkles, spots, loss of elasticity are natural signs of aging. With proper care, you can delay these damages while enjoying firmer, smoother skin. This popular spice can do wonders for the skin, leaving it smooth, supple, and radiant.
Laurel noble – a subtropical plant contains many nutrients:
- flavonoids;
- lignans;
- tannins;
- vitamins A, B2, B3, B5, B6, C;
- minerals.
Bay leaves contain high doses of vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium, and copper. These and other active ingredients present in the leaves have important properties for our health and body care.
Bay leaf treatment
Infusion treatment can be used for many ailments and diseases – both internally and externally. In herbal medicine, laurel is known primarily as a diaphoretic, detoxifying, cleansing and diuretic. It supports digestion and proper liver function, and helps lower blood sugar levels.
Additional information ! However, bay leaf treatment cannot be considered as a replacement for traditional treatment. On the other hand, bay leaf will work as an adjunct to proper therapy after consulting a doctor. For external use, bay leaf preparations can be used without special restrictions.
Medicinal bay leaf is most often used in the form of a self-prepared infusion or decoction. Brewing a bay leaf is very simple. Pour 5 g of crushed leaves with a glass of boiling water and cool.
The preparation of the decoction takes a little longer. Throw 5 g of crushed leaves into a pot of cold water, bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes. Such a decoction should be poured into a thermos, tightly closed and set for about 5 hours. After this time, strain. The mixture should be drunk in small portions throughout the day, but not more than 3 days.
When to drink infusion or decoction of bay leaf? They are recommended for detoxifying the body, as a diuretic and digestive aid for liver problems, as a support for joint health (bay leaves detoxify joints and bones), and to relieve rheumatic pain.
Bay leaf for external use
Due to the healing and anti-inflammatory power of bay leaf, it can be used to heal minor wounds or cuts, or in the treatment of certain skin problems such as redness, irritation, hives, insect bites, etc. Cooked warm bay leaf is used to make chest compresses, which effectively alleviate the agonizing cough and symptoms of bronchitis.
Bay leaf for wrinkles
Wrinkles and blemishes on the face are one of the main signs of aging. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity.
Note! The ideal solution is to include bay leaf cosmetics in your daily skin care routine. This popular spice will help you stay young longer.
There are many treatments for wrinkles and blemishes on the face. You can also use handmade tools. The infusion can be used successfully for acne-prone skin as well as for the relief of many skin problems.
Bay leaves, due to their bactericidal action, are excellent for oily and acne-prone skin. They relieve inflammation, prevent the formation of new acne and lighten age spots.
With regular use, inflammation will subside, the skin will gradually begin to be cleansed of toxins, and skin changes will gradually disappear. Home treatments help with mild acne. In more severe cases (when there are cysts and nodes), it will be necessary to consult a specialist.
A remedy for wrinkles with the use of laurel is a mask of bay leaf infusion and a small amount of honey. Apply this mask on your face and leave for 20 minutes, then wash off with water. A bay leaf mask will tighten the skin, reduce wrinkles. For best results, use twice a week.
bay leaf tonic
A bay leaf tonic, used regularly, will not only reduce wrinkles and delay the formation of new ones, but will also cope well with acne. It disinfects the skin, gently exfoliates and accelerates the healing of acne.
How to make bay leaf tonic ?
2-3 dried bay leaves;
0.5 cups of boiling water.
Grind the bay leaf, pour boiling water over it, cover with a lid and let cool. When the infusion has cooled, strain and pour into a glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Apply bay leaf toner every morning and evening to cleansed skin.
Benefits of bay leaf for hair
Bay leaves are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so they provide many benefits to hair. Infusion, used as a hair rinse. After washing, apply it to the hair and do not rinse. Rubbing the scalp improves their condition, strengthens the bulbs, reduces hair loss and stimulates hair growth, eliminates dandruff.
Effects of using bay leaf for hair:
- nourishes hair;
- fights dandruff;
- relieves inflammation of the scalp:
- prevents hair loss;
- restores shine and softness to hair;
- prevent graying;
- prevents excessive oiliness.
To make hair silky and smooth, you can use bay leaf in this way. Boil a few leaves in water for about 20 minutes, strain, let cool and then use as a hair compress. Wash off with shampoo.
A decoction of bay leaves can be an effective remedy for dandruff. In this case, it should be used after normal shampooing. Bay leaf infusion can be used to darken hair and give it a brown tint. Apply it every time you wash your hair, leaving it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.
How to use laurel oil for face and body
You can make oil from bay leaves (approximately 20 g of crushed leaves pour 200 ml of oil, for example, sunflower, leave in a dark place for 10 days). Recommended for use in rheumatic and arthritic pains. It can also be used topically for blemishes and inflammation.
The oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties, and is recommended for skin care prone to acne and increased sebum production. Can be applied all over the face and neck with circular massage movements.
- Laurel oil is applied to oily skin once a week to rejuvenate it.
- If there are black spots or pimples on the face, it is good to apply it up to 2 times a week.
- To make eyebrows and eyelashes longer and thicker, you can apply bay oil, in addition, you can mix bay oil with castor or almond oil.
- Laurel oil can also be applied to problem areas (elbows and heels) to moisturize it and at the same time prevent dehydration.
- After depilation on the body and face, a few drops of homemade or prepared bay oil will prevent red spots and dryness.
Also used in the treatment of many skin lesions, such as eczema, psoriasis and athlete’s foot. Thanks to its warming properties, it soothes rheumatic and arthritic pains, it also brings relief from muscle pains and sprains and dislocations of the joints!
How to use laurel oil for hair?
Can be applied as a mask to the entire length of the hair or from the middle down. Rinse well with regular shampoo. The oil provides shine, deep hydration and softness to the hair and can easily replace any hair mask.
Home remedy for dry and cracked heels
Bay leaves restore a healthy look, heels, if they have become rough and very dry. Softens the rough epidermis on the heels, deeply moisturizes. They become hydrated, soft and smooth.
To prepare a foot bath, pour dried bay leaves with boiling water. 15 bay leaves per liter of water. When the infusion cools down a bit, you need to hold your feet for at least 15 minutes in this solution. Repeat several times a week.
Contraindications and side effects
It should be borne in mind that the decoction has a strong effect, so you need to be careful and use it in moderation! An overdose can be toxic to the body. The active substances in bay leaf can interact with medications, such as some antibiotics.
Regular use of bay leaf before going to bed promotes good sleep. In fact, this plant has a calming effect on the nervous system, so you can try drinking laurel infusion just before bedtime.