- Bay leaves are not just a spice – learn about their surprising uses outside the kitchen.
- From infusions supporting digestion, through aromatherapy, to relaxing foot baths.
- Discover how this inconspicuous leaf can improve your well-being and bring harmony to your home.
- Check out why it’s worth having bay leaves always at hand!
You associate this smell with the kitchen. But the real effect of the bay leaf is elsewhere
The simplest way is infusion. Just throw a few leaves into a cup – usually three to five, often four – pour boiling water over it and leave it covered for about fifteen minutes. This drink has an intense, herbal aroma and is traditionally drunk warm, once a day for several days. In herbal medicine, it is believed to support digestion, soothe the feeling of heaviness after a meal and gently warm up. However, it is not a drug in the medical sense, so if you have chronic diseases, take medications or are pregnant, it is better to consult your doctor about drinking the infusion regularly.
it can also be used in a completely different way – as home aromatherapy. When set on fire, they release essential oils, including: eucalyptol and linalool, which give a slightly resin-herbal scent. Many people appreciate it, especially in winter, when the air in the apartment can be dry and “heavy”, and the aroma helps to refresh the space and create the impression of cleanliness. If you want to try it, place the leaf on a heat-resistant plate or in an aroma burner and be completely safe – the leaves burn quickly, so do not leave them unattended.
There is also a typical “home remedy”, known from folk medicine and popular among people who complain about tired legs. You can prepare a decoction for soaking your feet from a liter of hot water and a larger handful of bay leaves. When the water cools down slightly, dip your feet in it and soak them until the infusion cools down. This treatment is sometimes used to treat swelling, a feeling of heaviness in the legs or dry skin on the heels – above all, it provides pleasant relaxation and a moment of relaxation after the whole day.
Finally, there is a custom that is more “cultural” than health-related: . In the past, it was believed that their scent brings calmer sleep and has a protective effect, hence the bay leaf has become a symbol of prosperity and home harmony. Today, many people treat it as an interesting ritual to wind down in the evening – and if it helps someone get into a calm mood, why not.
. An infusion for cold evenings, a herbal scent in the apartment, relaxation for the feet and a small home ritual for a good sleep – four simple applications that work especially well in autumn and winter.
