Dried Brinji Leaf

General Name Bay Leaf
English Name: Bay Leaf
Tamil name: Brinji ilai-பிரிஞ்சி இலை
Botanical Name: Laurus Nobilis, Cinnamomum Tamala
Hindi Name: Tejpatta, Tejpatt

Description:

                  The Botanical name is Laurus Nobilis, Cinnamomum Tamala. Indian bay-leaves are the leaves of a tree closely related to Cinnamon. The tough, three-veined leaves are very popular in Northern India. Bay leaves can also be crushed or ground before cooking. Crushed bay leaves impart more fragrance than whole leaves, but are more difficult to remove, and thus they are often used in a muslin bag or tea infuser.

 Bay leaves refer to the aromatic leaves of several plants of many countries which are used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and fragrance. The fresh leaves have only a milder flavor. They are used for medical uses. It’s also one of the few herbs that don’t lose its flavor when dried.

Ground bay laurel may be substituted for whole leaves and does not need to be removed, but it is much stronger. Bay leaves are also used in the making of jerk chicken in the Caribbean Islands. The bay leaves are soaked and placed on the cool side of the grill. Pimento sticks are placed on top of the leaves and the chicken is placed on top and smoked.

Bay Leaf Nutrition Facts:
Nutrient-Packed: Bay leaves offer us a healthy dose of vitamins A, C, magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium, and iron

5.5 calories
1.3 grams carbohydrates
0.1 gram protein
0.1 gram fat
0.5-gram fiber
0.1-milligram manganese
0.8-milligram iron
108 IU vitamin A

Health Benefits:

It helps with Constipation and laxative.

It reduces the weight.

It used to heal Ulcer.

Dried leaves kept in cupboards eliminate cockroaches.

Menstrual problems: It treats menstrual problems. Bay leaves, when taken orally, can induce regular and normal menstruation. They also have the property of curing vaginal discharge.

Kidney problem: It treats for Kidney problems. Bay leaves help in treating kidney infections and even kidney stones. It reduces the cure kidney stone.

Bay leaves are effective in fighting the symptoms of cold, flu, infections and respiratory problems.

Good for Digestion: Bay leaves are good for promoting digestion and can treat digestive disorders such as heartburn and flatulence.

Relieves Pain: The oil extracted from bay leaf has anti-inflammatory properties which can ease the pain resulting from sprains, strains, arthritis, rheumatism as well as general pains and aches.

Bay leaf provides protection against cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.

Anti-cancer Properties: Bay leaf contains caffeic acid, quercetin, eugenol, and catechins all of which possess chemo-protective properties which provide resistance to different types of cancer. 

Dandruff and Hair Loss: A rinse made from infused bay leaves is effective in treating dandruff. Bay leaf tea is considered a great remedy for hair loss. Bay leaf oil is a tonic for hair that effectively combats dandruff and hair loss. It reduces dandruff and Hair Loss.

Consuming bay leaves at bedtime helps to induce proper sleep. 

Culinary uses:

                      Bay leaves are one of the most popular and common spices in North America cooking. Its pungent aroma and intensifies in flavor and smell the longer it cooks. They are also used in soups, stews, meat, seafood and vegetable dishes.