Laurel
Useful properties and uses of laurel
Description of laurel
Laurel is a small deciduous shrub. It is densely covered with deep green leaves with a shiny surface and a peculiar aroma. Laurel blooms with inconspicuous yellow flowers. This wonderful plant often grows in the southern territories - in the Caucasus and Crimea. It belongs to the popular Laurel family, loves bright light, but can do without it. In height, this shrub sometimes reaches 6 meters, and indoor species - up to 2 meters.
Laurel is familiar to everyone as a culinary seasoning. But this plant can, and even needs to be grown at home, since the leaves contain substances that destroy bacteria. It will be able to adapt to any conditions, but the most optimal temperature for its content is 20 ° C. In summer, it is better to take it out to the balcony. Laurel prefers moderate humidity. But in winter it is better to reduce the amount of watering, and it is necessary to feed it only in summer. The type of propagation of the plant is cuttings.
Useful properties of laurel
Laurel has many advantages. It improves appetite, normalizes digestion. Its leaves secrete phytoncides, it is believed that these substances are harmful to the tubercle bacillus. With the help of the leaves, you can treat severe inflammation of the oral cavity, cure colds, sore throats.
A unique essential oil that is easily obtained from laurel, it has many beneficial properties. It is an effective antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. This makes the oil a versatile medicinal product.
The laurel also contains terpenoids, which makes it possible to use laurel medicines in case of improper metabolism, rheumatism. Certain positive results of using laurel have been seen in the treatment of the circulatory system and in diseases of the stomach.
Application of laurel
Laurel has found wide application in modern medicine for the treatment of many diseases. Laurel has a wide spectrum of action: diuretic, expectorant, antiviral and antiseptic. Preparations containing bay leaves have long been effectively used in folk medicine in many developed countries of the world.
A small bay leaf will perfectly calm the nervous system, relieve stress, relieve insomnia, activate the protective functions of the body, and help cope with depression and overwork. For this, aromatherapy is carried out, it can be carried out at home and in medical institutions. 4 drops of laurel essential oil are added to the incense burner and its aroma is inhaled. Moreover, the vapor of this oil is an antiseptic that purifies the air in the room.
For special protection against infection, a medallion is worn, to which a few drops of oil are added, and you can also put a bay leaf in your pocket. In order to significantly reduce inflammation in the joints, increase blood flow, relieve pain, it is recommended to rub the essential oil into the skin. In case of diseases of the respiratory tract, acute respiratory viral infection, they rub the back and chest.
Laurel oil can be made at home. To do this, take 20-30 grams of crushed bay leaves, you can take fresh or dried. Pour the mixture with a glass of high quality olive oil and let it brew in a dark place for at least a week. Apply this oil tincture after meals for 10 days. The oil extract helps with painful conditions of the respiratory tract, diseases of the spine, and neurotic conditions.
To strengthen the immune system several times a year, you must take the following broth. You need to take a handful of dry bay leaves and pour 500 ml of boiling water into them, boil for 5 minutes over low heat, then let it brew for 4 hours. For best results, this broth should be drunk several times a day in a tablespoon. It is recommended to rinse your hair with this product. This will prevent their fragility, will help in the prevention of various diseases of the scalp, increased formation of dandruff.
With inflammation of the skin, bay leaves are moistened in warm water and applied to the skin. They are fixed with a bandage and kept for at least one hour.
When coughing, leaves soaked in warm water are used as mustard plasters - they are applied between the shoulder blades or on the chest.
For serious sleep disorders, bay leaf has also found its use. Before going to bed, bay leaves must be dipped in water and then applied to the forehead and back of the head, put on the head, tied with a scarf and left for an hour.
Also, with the addition of bay leaves, you can prepare a miraculous ointment. It will help with parasitic skin diseases - dermatitis, eczema, scabies, joint diseases, it can be rubbed in with severe bruises and sprains. The ointment is made as follows: crushed bay leaf powder, crushed juniper needles and butter in the same way are thoroughly mixed and applied to areas of the body affected by the disease. The number of components is taken in a ratio of 6: 1: 12.
Baths with bay leaves are very useful. It is recommended to take them for sleep disorders, nervous conditions, inflammation of the bladder, for the prevention of colds. First, a decoction of bay leaves is boiled, then it is infused for about half an hour and poured into the bath along with the leaves. Laurel baths with citrus fruits and pine needles are especially useful. It is recommended to take such aromatic baths at a temperature not exceeding 37 ° C for approximately 20 minutes. The course of application is 2 weeks.
Regular addition of bay leaves to food improves kidney function. Also, the simplest procedure, like chopping the leaves and chewing them, will strengthen the body's defenses, prevent colds.
Excellent medicinal preparations with laurel bark are used to maintain the functions of the biliary organs, for the treatment of cholecystitis. The aroma of laurel will allow you to get rid of pests that live at home - moths, flies, cockroaches.
Laurel essential oil can also be found in pharmacies. It disinfects, cleanses and soothes the affected skin. The oil is very effective for cosmetic purposes. It is useful to use it with high sensitivity of the skin, peeling of the skin, helps to cope with furunculosis, increased acne formation, produces a lifting effect.
Bay leaf can help in the treatment of many diseases, provided that its use is literate and moderate.
Laurel leaf
Laurel leaf is useful in that it releases incomparable phytoncides. These are such unique substances that are destructive to pathogens. The action of these substances is manifested in the purification of indoor air. For diseases of the mouth, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat and sore throat, chewing the leaves will help relieve pain. And laurel leaves soaked in warm water will help better than mustard plasters in the treatment of cough.
An amazing decoction of the leaves will help with appetite disorders, easily restore digestion processes, and also help cure kidney stones.
In medicine, fresh and dried laurel leaves are also used, since the content of medicinal properties does not decrease in them.
Bay leaf is also valued as a spice for various dishes - broths, soups, borscht, salads, meat - lamb, pork, beef, fish, as well as vegetable dishes. This seasoning gives a rich, spicy flavor to dishes.
Laurel flowers
Laurel blooms in the spring, flowers appear on it, located in the axils of the leaves. The inflorescences are shaped like an umbrella. They have a very modest appearance - small, dull colors - white, cream, yellowish. Fruits are also formed on female plants - berries, dark blue, closer to black. They ripen in late autumn. And these berries are inedible.
Room laurel
Laurel can decorate not only gardens, but also be grown in ordinary home conditions. For the first time in Europe, laurel was used as a houseplant. At home, you can grow several varieties of this plant - laurel noble and Kamara laurel.
Laurel is very much appreciated for its appearance - it looks very elegant, and unpretentiousness, for purifying the air in the room. The best place to grow it is in the kitchen, laurel leaves can be added to food.
Laurel can adapt to any conditions, of course, in order for it to grow better, you need enough light and air. In summer, it must be taken out to the balcony. But laurel can easily tolerate dry indoor air, drafts, low temperatures. But it is necessary to regularly spray it from a spray bottle, thereby increasing the intensity of its growth.
Growing laurel
Laurel grows rather slowly, so it absolutely does not need a tedious frequent transplant. It is best to plant it in a small flower pot and increase the size as needed. It is better to choose the land for planting a plant rich in humus, sand, lime. In summer, it must be fertilized with slurry, once every 4 weeks will be enough.
At home, it can grow up to 2 meters in height, so it is recommended to trim the crown of the laurel regularly. Thus, the laurel can be shaped in different ways. In indoor conditions, laurel never blooms. Florists propagate this plant by seeds and by cuttings. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the leaves - the plant is susceptible to attack by parasites.
Laurel contraindications
Laurel is contraindicated in pregnancy, as it can cause miscarriage, as well as for lactating women. You can not give it to children under 5 years of age and with individual intolerance. When consumed in large quantities, laurel can cause poisoning. In this case, you should always go to the hospital immediately.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
