Aayushi Gupta Published: 15 May 2021, 10:00 am IST
Bay leaf, also known as tej patta, is a herb that is commonly used in most Indian kitchens. These leaves are filled with aroma, and often used as a spicing agent to enhance traditional meals. We all know how they elevate the taste of biryani, dal makhani, curries, pulao, soups, etc. But did you know it is also filled with health benefits?
Bay leaves are a great source of antioxidants, vitamin A, C, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and that’s exactly why it works wonders for the gastrointestinal system. What’s more, it works as an antioxidant, antidiabetic, diuretic, and appetite stimulant. And if you’re looking to build your tea stash, you can’t miss out on bay leaf tea. In fact, it tastes far better than green tea.
Here’s why you should start drinking bay leaf tea:
- A January 2009 study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition revealed that bay leaves improve glucose and lipid profile with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, bay leaf tea is highly effective in treating type 2 diabetes and improves insulin sensitivity.
- Bay leaves are also known to improve digestion by stimulating the gastrointestinal tract, and promoting urination. It is also very effective to prevent constipation.
- Bay leaf tea is good for your heart, this is because of its powerful combination of potassium, antioxidants, and iron. These nutrients help with cardiac rhythm as well as lowering blood pressure.
- Because bay leaf tea is a source of vitamin C, it’s also great for the immune system and has antibacterial properties, which keep infection at bay.
- Bay leaves also include the goodness of cinnamon that boosts metabolism and helps in weight loss.
- The magical leaves can also lower your stress levels.
- Because of its medicinal properties, bay leaf tea is also used by some to treat cancer.
- Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties protect your body from inflammation.
Also, Read: Here are 7 science-backed reasons why lemongrass tea must be a part of your diet
Here’s an easy recipe for bay leaf tea:
Ingredients you’ll need:
3 bay leaves
A pinch of cinnamon powder
2 cups of water
Lemon and honey (optional)
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Procedure:
Step 1: Wash the leaves and in a saucepan, bring water to boil.
Step 2: Add bay leaves and cinnamon powder, and let it boil for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Turn off the heat and strain the tea in a cup. Now, add any desired sweetener (honey) or lemon juice, as per your taste.
That’s it! Now, sit back and sip on this refreshing tea every morning to give a healthy start to your day.
FAQs
What happens when you drink bay leaf tea? ›
Bay leaf tea is a delicious and healthy drink that offers a range of potential benefits. These include improved skin and hair health, better digestion, and reduced inflammation.
Is it good to drink bay leaf tea everyday? ›Yes. Drinking bay leaf tea every day benefits your heart as it is the potent combination of antioxidants and potassium. Potassium is essential for your heart health, as it helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
How much bay leaf tea should you drink a day? ›Soak the bay leaf in the cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Then strain and drink, 3 to 4 times per day.
What time of day should you drink bay leaf tea? ›Swift says bay leaf tea is a great to sip on before you eat because it stimulates and supports the digestive system. "For aiding in digestion, steep one tablespoon into eight ounces of water and consume 30 minutes prior to eating.
Who should not drink bay leaf tea? ›It might cause allergic reactions in some people. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Bay leaf is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if bay leaf is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Is bay leaf tea good for your kidneys? ›Bay leaves may have an impact on the gastrointestinal system by preventing gastric damage and promoting urination. This helps release toxins in the body and aids in the health of the kidneys.
Does bay leaf affect blood pressure? ›Bay leaf tea is good for your heart, this is because of its powerful combination of potassium, antioxidants, and iron. These nutrients help with cardiac rhythm as well as lowering blood pressure.
Is bay leaf good for hair growth? ›4. Bay leaves can help with hair regrowth. Research suggests that bay leaves can boost hair growth and also strengthen your hair follicles. No wonder, bay leaves are an integral ingredient in so many Ayurvedic oils.
Is bay leaf good for wrinkles? ›Wrinkles: Bay leaves have the capability of removing stress from the body which decreases the growth of wrinkles and breakages due to dead skin.
How long does it take for bay leaves to work? ›In both liquids, the bay leaf's herbal notes were noticeable in as little as five minutes, but it took about an hour for the full spectrum of its more than 50 flavor compounds to become apparent.
Is bay leaf good for arthritis? ›
Efforts to overcome joint pain can be done with pharmacological either non-pharmacological therapy. The non- pharmacological therapies is warm compresses and boiled bay leaves, that believes can reduce pain.
How many bay leaves does it take to make a cup of tea? ›Steps to make pure bay leaf tea:
If you have fresh bay leaves then you take 3-4 bay leaves and cut them in small pieces. If you do not have fresh bay leaves then you can use the dried bay leaves. Pour water in a vessel and boil it. Add the bay leaves to it.
Clean the bay leaves.
Make sure you rinse the bay leaves under running water to remove any dirt or dust, then pat them dry of excess moisture with paper towels before you dry them.
- Take a bay leaf and a one dollar bill.
- Create a packet by wrapping the bay leaf in the dollar bill, folding the bill into thirds. ...
- Tuck the packet into the billfold section of your wallet.
- Periodically repeat and replace the bay leaf as necessary.
The health benefits of Bay leaves are such that it helps in improving digestive health, treats respiratory conditions, improves hair health, has anti-inflammatory activity, improves heart health. Bay leaves benefits also include cancer prevention, reduces anxiety and stress, helps in diabetes management.
What does burning bay leaves do to your body? ›Boost our immune system
Not only do bay leaves make dreams and wishes come true, but they are also healing herbs as well. The spice is full of vitamins and minerals that help our body function better. Burning bay leaves might help boost our immune system by spreading all the healthy elements into the air.
Steps to make pure bay leaf tea:
If you have fresh bay leaves then you take 3-4 bay leaves and cut them in small pieces. If you do not have fresh bay leaves then you can use the dried bay leaves. Pour water in a vessel and boil it. Add the bay leaves to it.