What are bay leaves?
The bay leaf is an aromatic leaf commonly used in cooking. It can be used whole, either dried or fresh, in which case it is removed from the dish before consumption, or less commonly used in ground form. It may come from several species of tree, the bay laurel and the California bay tree being the most common. (source: Wikipedia)
Benefits of bay leaves
What is a bay leaf used for?
They are used in soups, stews, brines, meat, seafood, vegetable dishes, and sauces. The leaves also flavour many classic French and Italian dishes. The leaves are most often used whole (sometimes in a bouquet garni) and removed before serving (they can be abrasive in the digestive tract).
You may be surprised at just how many home remedies you can prepare with bay leaves. A very simple home remedy is to use bay leaves regularly in cooking. Beyond cooking, bay leaves can be used to combat localized pain and inflammation, aid digestion or reduce anxiety.
Source: The Doctor’s Book of Home Survival Remedies
By: Dr. John Herzog.
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