Laurel dried whole leaves

LAUREL

The laurel (Laurus nobilis) belongs to the Lauraceae family. The laurel is an evergreen plant, native to Asia Minor, but also widespread in the Mediterranean area since ancient times.

It is a plant rich in nutrients. The leaves are oval and have a very dark green top.

Used in cooking as an aromatic herb, in reality these leaves are considered excellent natural remedies that prove useful not only to treat some health problems but also to take care of skin and hair. These leaves contain large doses of vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and copper.

The leaves , however, are not edible, for this reason they are used to enrich dishes in many preparations, but in any case they must be removed and not ingested.

The bay leaf plant also produces wonderful flowers, which are characterized by yellow color and the fact that they are small in size. These small flowers appear in the spring months, in correspondence with March and April.

Useful in case of stomach disorders and colic, bay leaf is used to treat fever and cough. Inside this plant, we can find:

• ·       Essential oils (geraniol, cineol, eugenol, eucalyptol);
• ·       Folic acid;
• ·       mineral salts (potassium, copper, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc, magnesium);
• ·       Vitamins A, B, B1, B2, B3, B6, C.

Laurel in the kitchen

Laurel infusion

Ingredients

• ·       4 bay leaves
• ·       1 jug of water

You can prepare an infusion of bay leaves, especially if we have some digestive difficulties. The preparation is very simple: bring to a boil the water you need, turn off the heat and immerse 3 or 4 bay leaves, leaving them to infuse for a few minutes.

Strain and enjoy your infusion!

Commonly laurel in the kitchen is used to flavor meats or in addition to hot winter soups.

Curiosity

From an evolutionary point of view, the laurel is the tree of wisdom, of divination, of the solar hero, of the one who, on the path of spiritual realization, is no longer satisfied with rationality alone. Laurel can be a great vegetable ally for those who want to go beyond everyday reality, for those who want to know themselves and get in touch with the energies of nature.