You know the bay leaves well. Between the spices is well recognizable, you will not find any such large leaves in other roots. But do you know what to use a bay leaf in combination with salt?
Bay leaf: spice with history
This spice comes from trees that thrive in the Mediterranean. It is a laurel noble, which has a very interesting history. Latin Laurus nobilis is not only an interesting spice, but it is also the laurel, which was used for wreaths of the winners or headbands of the Romans, as it was a symbol of virtue and wisdom.
Even today, a bay leaf together with salt is used to avoid negative energy and protect the household from ghosts and magic. But we will not deal with this article.
What happens if you put bay leaves in salt? You will find out in this post from the YouTube channel Home Remedies.
Source: YouTube
The active substances in the bay leaf
Like any spice, it contains laurel specific substances that give it different properties. In the case of bay leaves, for example, essentials, whose main components are cineol and eugenol. The first has antiseptic properties, the second with antimicrobial effects. Antioxidants or flavonoids are also important. The tannins contained in the bay leaf have tightening effects and contribute to the protection of tissues. Alkaloids can affect various other physiological processes in the body.
In Czech households, the bay leaf is indispensable especially in the preparation of meat and broth. Its characteristic taste and aroma are pleasant in sauces, soups and stews, but bay leaf has many other uses.
Drinking tea from the bay leaf is recommended, for example, for a reduction diet.
What can salt and bay leaves?
This combination is suitable for excessive humidity in households. It also counteracts mold. For this reason, a combination with salt is important. Both of these raw materials absorb moisture and counteract mold, which is advantageous and very effective if you have a repeated problem with molds.
In addition to combating moisture, the scent of the bay leaf is very pleasant, yet it is not downright floral and therefore not very feminine. You can call the bay leaves as a man’s scent, which is quite pleasant and well tolerable by all household members. Salts and bay leaves can also be used as a subtle air freshener. Again, it is advantageous in wetter rooms where the air can be somewhat stale.
Thanks to the content of some of these substances, and it is primarily eugenol, the bay leaves are also considered to be a spice with repellent effects. Eugenol, which is present not only in bay leaves, but also other spices, such as cloves, cinnamon or basil, is known for its effects repellent insects. That is also why it is often part of natural and industrial repellents and biocidal products.
If you would like to use it in combination with salt, you can drip a few drops of essential oils from the bay leaves or other herbs into salt. It then partially absorbs the oil. This will slowly evaporate and smell of unpleasant insects. Spices are commonly used against insects, but essential oils are very concentrated and therefore more practical repellents.
But beware! Never apply undiluted essential oils directly on the skin.
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