Beneficial properties of bay leaf
It is not without reason that this natural remedy, bay leaf, is actively used in folk medicine. The effectiveness of the plant is explained by its composition. Bay leaf contains the following active substances:
- aromatic essential oils;
- phytoncides;
- acids (organic, acetic, caproic, valeric;
- microelements;
- tannins;
- vitamin C.
It is thanks to this composition that the beneficial effect of bay leaves on allergies is explained. Bay leaf for newborns is simply an irreplaceable drug.
The dry plant (its decoction, tincture, oil, powder) effectively relieves skin inflammation, having a calming effect on the skin, disinfecting and healing ulcers on it. In addition, taking the decoction orally increases appetite and immunity, normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, effectively cleanses the intestines, and acts as a diuretic, removing allergens, waste, and toxins.
This explains the noticeable improvement in well-being and reduction in the symptoms of allergic reactions. This is how bay leaves exhibit their healing properties for allergies.
Bay leaves are used for diathesis in the form of compresses, lotions, infusions, and decoctions for bathing. Bay leaf for allergies in children is the safest and most “harmless” remedy. You just need to be careful when using it: bay leaf for allergies in newborns is used exclusively externally and in microdoses.
Older children can be given a healing product to take orally, carefully monitoring the body's reaction so as not to miss such a rare but still occurring phenomenon as an allergy to bay leaves.
Colds
To treat respiratory diseases, it is important to regularly ventilate the room. Essential oil, which has an antibacterial effect, helps purify the air. To prevent viral colds, it is recommended to carry any part of the laurel or oil with you in a special vessel made of ceramics. A decoction of a herbal product helps increase immunity during the treatment of colds.
How to choose bay leaf for allergy treatment
Laurel, as a remedy, can be used fresh and dry. Fresh leaves, of course, are healthier, but dry laurel, if it is properly dried and stored correctly, retains all its beneficial properties. It is better to purchase a dry plant at the market in spice shops: this way you can visually test the product, touch it and smell it.
The main thing is that there are no stains or fungus on the laurel leaves. A good bay leaf has an olive, green color and a characteristic smell. The shelf life of the product is no longer than a year, after which it gradually loses its aroma and healing effect.
Recipe, how to make a decoction, how to drink - dose
Bay leaves do not lose their beneficial properties when dried, and they are also preserved when exposed to high temperatures. Almost all recipes involving bay leaves are prepared in the same way. The only difference in their preparation is the amount of leaves and boiling water. The following recipe can be considered a standard recipe for preparing a decoction of bay leaves: -10 bay leaves, pour 500 ml of boiling water; — put on low heat for 5 minutes, then pour everything into a thermos; - stand for 3 hours; — take 50 ml twice a day. To improve the taste, you can add honey to the finished decoction, but only if the person has no contraindications to its use.
The treatment course can last several days or several weeks. To obtain the maximum therapeutic effect and the absence of all kinds of contraindications, before using the “medicinal decoction” you need to consult with your doctor.
Methods of application
Bay leaf helps adults and children get rid of unpleasant allergy symptoms. The product is used externally and internally. Used externally, in the form of rubs, lotions, baths, oils, bay leaf dries the skin, relieving inflammation, itching and swelling.
Taken internally in the form of decoctions and infusions, bay leaf works against allergies by accelerating all metabolic processes, as a result of which allergens, toxins, toxins and other harmful substances are quickly eliminated from the body.
Brewing recipes
Bay leaves are used for allergies in decoctions and infusions of varying concentrations for drinking, bathing, lubricating, and rinsing. The strongest positive effect is exerted by a decoction of bay leaves taken orally, which acts as an antiallergic and immunomodulatory agent.
To take 20 grams of bay leaves internally, you need to fill the floor with liters of water, keep it boiling for 20 minutes, and let it brew for several hours. A decoction of bay leaves is good for allergies in infants over three months old. Saves bay leaves from diathesis by taking two or three drops at a time (three times a day) by babies under one year of age. After a year you can give a teaspoon of decoction, and after three years - a tablespoon (three times a day).
Bay leaves are also used for diathesis in the form of lotions, compresses, rubbing, and bathing. In this case, the decoction is prepared as follows: ten sheets are poured with a liter of boiling water, kept in a steam bath for 15 to 30 minutes. After completing the rubdown and lotion procedures, leave the skin to dry.
A decoction of bay leaves for allergies in adults is prepared as follows: take one and a half dozen bay leaves and pour half a liter of water over them and boil for five minutes. Then the broth must be infused in a thermos and strained. Bay leaves prepared in this way help against allergies in adults. You need to take one tablespoon of bay decoction throughout the day (five times). The course is three days, the break is two weeks.
Bay leaf for allergies can have a side effect in the form of constipation. You will have to change your diet: introduce foods rich in fiber (beets, cabbage, prunes).
For allergic rhinitis, compresses from a decoction of three ten-gram packs of bay leaves are applied to the forehead and bridge of the nose four times a day for a week. An infusion of bay leaves helps with allergic stomatitis; rinse your mouth with it.
Bathing in a bay leaf helps with external (skin) manifestations of allergies. A decoction of bay leaves for newborns is made as follows: a ten-gram pack of bay leaves is brewed in a liter of boiling water and, without straining, poured into a bath of water. After such procedures of bathing in bay leaves for allergies, the baby’s skin is cleansed and unpleasant symptoms go away.
Bathing a newborn in a bay leaf is generally very beneficial for the baby’s skin: it becomes soft, smooth, and diaper rash and swelling disappear.
Hearing problems
For ear pain, you can make drops yourself: add sunflower oil to the laurel and leave for a week in a dry, warm place. The resulting drops should be instilled several times a day. To improve hearing, the liquid can be rubbed over the temples. If there is discharge of pus from the ears, it is necessary to pour boiling water over the crushed plant product and leave for several hours. Drip the strained liquid into your ears and plug it with a cotton pad. The procedure must be performed before bedtime.
If you have a hearing problem, you should use bay leaf for treatment.
Bay oil. How to cook?
Bay leaves can be used to relieve allergy symptoms in the form of bay oil. To prepare a home remedy, pour 90 grams of crushed laurel leaves into a glass of linseed or olive oil, seal and leave in a dark place for several days.
Bay leaves are used in the form of oil for diathesis and allergies in infants. The drug is applied to the affected areas. For rhinitis, you can put oil in your nose. Bay leaves can also be used in the form of oil for bathing infants, adding a couple of spoons to the bath.
Joint pain, arthrosis
To treat joint diseases and rheumatism, it is recommended to use an ointment made from laurel powder, vegetable oil or butter. For problems with joints, decoctions are used that help dissolve salts, reduce the inflammatory process, cleanse blood vessels, and also actively stimulate metabolic processes in the tissues of the body.
Use for newborn children
Bay leaves are used for allergies in children, most often in the form of decoctions. How to brew bay leaves for bathing a child was described above. Bay leaf for allergies for newborns and up to 3 months of age can only be used externally: lotions and wipes with a weak concentration solution.
And your baby can drink bay decoction only when he reaches three months of age, and then after consultation with a pediatrician. A decoction of bay leaves for newborns is given in small doses (drops): to begin with, one drop three times a day, then two. The main thing is not to miss the undesirable reaction of the child’s body to laurel.
External remedies
- Leaf decoction for external use: Bay leaf decoction
Five small laurel leaves are washed under running water, then pour 250 ml of boiling water and boil for 15 minutes in a glass or enamel container. Then add water until the original volume is obtained. After cooling the product to body temperature, it can be used for its intended purpose.
A decoction of the leaf is used for bathing and wiping irritated, itchy areas of the skin, without rinsing, but waiting until it dries. Thanks to its drying effect, the product can treat areas of weeping eczema.
Allergy test (done when using the product for the first time): a decoction of the leaf is applied to the skin of the inner surface of the forearm. If an allergic reaction is not observed within two hours, a decoction of the leaf can be used.
- Bay baths for allergies: Detailed composition of bay leaves
To obtain the required amount of decoction for baths, you need to take 50 grams of dry laurel leaf and pour a liter of boiling water. This amount is enough for one bath of a child.
After such a bath, the appearance of the baby’s rash decreases, inflammation goes away, and the skin softens. Bathing in the broth is used for diaper dermatitis and allergies to diapers and detergents.
- Bay oil:
You can prepare this remedy yourself from 200 ml of linseed oil and 30 g of bay leaf. Flaxseed oil is heated and poured into a bay leaf placed in a glass container, after which it is closed and left for 7 days in a dark place.
The oil softens dry areas of the skin, reduces inflammation, promotes healing of damage, and eliminates allergies. Children with skin allergies should rub the affected areas with oil twice a day. The product can also be instilled for allergic rhinitis, 2 drops in each nasal passage.
Bay leaf will relieve many health problems
Use in children over 1 year of age
Once a child reaches one year of age, allergic reactions are treated with laurel decoction (a teaspoon three times a day), and three-year-old children can be given a tablespoon of infusion three times a day.
Baths for bathing
Skin manifestations of allergies (diathesis) are perfectly removed (neutralized) if you systematically bathe the baby in the bath with laurel solution. For newborns, decoctions of laurel are used, highly diluted, weakly concentrated. The recipe is similar to the one above: a dozen leaves are poured with boiling water (half a liter) and infused for half an hour.
Then it is poured into the prepared bathtub. Regular (daily) bathing in a healthy decoction relieves allergy symptoms.
Recipes
There are many recipes. But before using medications, you need to consult a doctor.
Decoction
Helps with coughs, improves immunity and removes phlegm. The leaves are boiled in water and cooled. After preparation, the broth is filtered. For therapy, use 30 ml per day.
Infusion
Treats diseases of the respiratory system. The castings are cured with boiling water and infused for 40 minutes. Drink 1 spoon of infusion every 2 hours. You can insist on alcohol.
Mustard plasters
The leaves are soaked in hot water and, after steaming, applied to the skin. Usually done before bed.
Ointment
Has a warming effect. You need the following:
- 1 spoon of crushed leaves.
- 2 tablespoons butter.
- 0.5 spoons of juniper needles.
Mix the ingredients. After hardening, the ointment is applied to the body. After a couple of hours, wash it off.
Oil
The oil contains many vitamins. The crushed leaves should be poured with olive oil and the mixture should be placed in a cool place for a week.
Contraindications
Any folk remedies must be used with caution, because you may be allergic to them and side effects may occur. After all, each person has his own body with its own individual characteristics.
As for bay leaves, in principle, this remedy is harmless, but still: if, after using a decoction, infusion, or oil of bay leaves, symptoms of an allergic reaction appear, you should urgently stop using it and visit an allergist.
Bay leaf should not be used as a medicinal product for pregnant women, since bay leaf has the ability to contract muscles, including the muscles of the uterus. There are also the following contraindications to the use of bay leaves in the treatment of allergic diseases:
- renal pathologies;
- stomach ulcer;
- problems with bowel movements (constipation);
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis);
- laurel intolerance, expressed in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, itchy throat, difficulty swallowing, skin problems such as itching, redness, and rashes.
Use home remedies made with bay leaves to relieve yourself and your loved ones from allergies.
Be healthy!
Features of use
To treat respiratory and other diseases, an oil extract from laurel is used for rubbing or as a basis for steam inhalation. For effective treatment, you should adhere to the rules for manufacturing products based on bay leaves, so as not to cause irreparable harm to health.
Cleansing the body
Pathogenic bacteria, waste and salts negatively affect the functioning of the body as a whole. To cleanse internal systems and organs, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment with laurel decoction for three days.
To prepare a medicinal tincture, you need to pour 30 leaves with 1 liter of boiling water in the evening. In the morning you should divide the broth into three equal parts. Drink one portion per day, in small sips after meals. For a more pronounced effect, you should follow a fruit and vegetable diet on the days you take the decoction.
Cleansing the body with this method also has contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- stomach and intestinal ulcers;
- regular constipation.
Bay leaves contain butyric acid, which is a kind of catalyst for metabolic processes. Regular bowel movements certainly have a positive effect on the digestive system. In addition, the smell of dried laurel stimulates the appetite, and the decoction helps to cope with minor dysentery.
20 healing properties of bay leaves, recipes
Laurel baths
Therapeutic laurel baths will help:
- relax;
- relieve pain from joint diseases;
- will help cope with insomnia, which often plagues patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
To prepare the bath you will need 20–30 laurel leaves. Place them in a saucepan, cover with water and boil for 20 minutes. Add the resulting water (without leaves) to a warm bath. To achieve the desired effect, take it for 15–20 minutes.
Another option for a medicinal bath is similar, but not with a decoction of the plant, but with a few drops of essential laurel oil. This procedure will also be beneficial for hair and skin.
Bay leaf essential oil
The course of bathing is 10–15 sessions. It is recommended to take baths every day or every other day. If necessary, the course of therapy can be repeated after 1 month.
