10 Reasons Why You Must Add Bay Leaf (Tej Patta) To Your Diet

Listed here are a few of the benefits of adding bay leaf to your diet. Check them out.

By Chandreyee Sen

Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 11:53

Bay leaf is a common ingredient found in everyone's kitchen. It is an aromatic leaf from the Mediterranean area's bay laurel tree.

Bay leaf, popularly known as Tej Patta is used to create an aromatic fragrance in cooking. It is either used as dried or in powdered form.

The oil extracted from bay leaf has signs of medicinal value. Bay leaves are bitter and are almost similar in fragrance like that of the cinnamon bark, but a little milder.

Mostly, its usage is in cooking rich Indian cuisine. In its powdered form, it is mixed with other whole grounded garam masalas and used for seasoning.

Besides all this, bay leaf also has medicinal value. These bunches of aromatic leaves have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and astringent values.

Read on to find more about the health benefits that a bay leaf offers.

1. Improves Digestion

The medicinal property in bay leaves helps to cure digestive problems such as heat burns and flatulence. If you are constantly suffering from common digestive disorders like constipation, acidity, or irregular bowel movements, then a cup of hot bay leaf tea can be your lifesaver.

The enzymes in bay leaves break down the protein and add flavour to non-veg dishes.While suffering from indigestion it is recommended to make a mixture with 5 gm bay leaf, a slice of ginger and boil it with 200 ml of water, till the water becomes 1/4th. Now for some taste add a spoon of honey and have this mix twice a day. It will even help in increasing your appetite after suffering from a prolonged sickness.

2. Good For The Heart

If you are suffering from a cardiac ailment, then having bay leaf is the best-suited option for you. Bay leaf contains phytonutrients that act as a shield against cardiac arrest and strokes. So to improve your heart's health, boil 3 gm of bay leaves with 3-4 gm of wild rose flowers in 300 ml water till only 75 ml remains. After straining the mixture, have it and repeat the process thrice a week.

3. Helps Treat Diabetes

Diabetes is a common health issue affecting 9 in every 10 people. The antioxidant properties in bay leaf help in controlling the blood sugar and cholesterol level. For better results, grind 3-4 bay leaf to a powdered form and have it on a daily basis for about a month to see effective results.

4. Helps Treat Cold

For centuries, bay leaves have been used to treat common cold and flu. For better remedies, boil 2-3 bay leaves for nearly 10 min. Now strain the water and soak a clean cloth in the water and place it on the chest to combat against flu. This even works to stop repeated sneezing.

5. Helps Treat Kidney Problems

Kidneys act as the filter for our body and help to remove toxins. But a stone in the kidney hinders its passage. Although a bay leaf cannot remove a kidney stone, still, it can stop its further formation. In 200 ml of water add 5 gm of bay leaves and boil till the water becomes 50 ml. Strain and drink the water twice a day.

6. Helps Prevent Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds occur either due to excessive dehydration or heat. In such a case a drink made from 2-3 crushed bay leaves in water is very helpful.

7. Helps Treat Menstrual Problem

Menstrual problems are quite common in many girls. However, having bay leaf orally, by adding 3-4 of them in your curry can cure the problem of an irregular menstruation and also control vaginal discharge.

8. Helps Reduce Stress

Stress becomes quite evident on our skin, and the medicinal value of bay leaf can help to de-stress and make you look and feel fresh. Boil a bay leaf in water and inhale the steam while covering your head with a towel.

9. Helps Prevent Cancer

Cancer is considered as one of the most deadly diseases which often leads to death. However, with a timely detection, this disease can be treated. In this case, the bay leaf can act as a remedy. This aromatic leaf contains chemoprotective properties like caffeic acid, quercetin, eugenol and catechins that acts as a resistance against cancer. The presence of parthenolide has shown the proven result in the proliferation of cervical cancer cells.