Bay leaves are always present in the home. They are aromatic plants that can be used in a thousand ways in the kitchen and beyond.
In the garden they are beautiful ornamental plants , they can be used to season various dishes, both first and second courses.
The plant is generally associated with the ancient Romans, who used laurel leaves to reward those who achieved success. Today they are inserted into graduation wreaths following their model.
The history of bay leaves.
Bay leaves are rich in properties that can be used by preparing a drink or by burning them. Bay leaves are trees that give off a crazy, sweet and spicy aroma, but at the same time very delicate. They come from the Mediterranean and were used by the Greeks to prepare excellent dishes.
Today, bay leaves are used as a spice , helping the body with the many beneficial properties that distinguish the plant. Sometimes it is used fresh, other times it is used dried. Those who do not have the plant in their garden can buy it directly from the supermarket in small packages, already dried and therefore ready to use.
How to dry bay leaves before using them
Before using it in stews, you have to dry the fresh leaves , because this way they retain their properties. However, if you don’t have time to let them dry naturally, you can proceed another way . Collect the leaves , place them in a pan and then roast them over high heat. When they start to smoke, turn them over and let them dry for a while longer, taking special care because if you keep them for too long you run the risk of burning them and therefore becoming unusable.
To dry them in the classic way, just hang them from the ceiling of a dry, cool room. You can do this on the balcony or in any room in the house.
The action of bay leaves, a panacea for the human organism
Bay leaves solve or relieve any problem related to digestion, for example acidity or bloating. They reduce gas in the digestive system and stimulate appetite. Bay leaves are considered an excellent remedy against flu, bronchitis, pharyngitis or cough, and are also perfect as a diuretic, improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation in the joints.
It is often included in weight loss diets because it helps eliminate fluids and combat anxiety and stress.
How to use the plant as a repellent or deodorant for the refrigerator
Bay leaves can be used against cockroaches. Obviously, the plant does not kill them, but it acts as a repellent for both cockroaches and all other insects because they are bothered by the smell of bay leaves.
You can also use it in the refrigerator , in this case it becomes a natural deodorant. If something liquid falls into the refrigerator, or the food rots and you don’t notice it immediately, after washing it carefully, place some bay leaves on the shelves of the appliance . In a short time the smell of the refrigerator will have completely disappeared. In addition, you can also use a glass of vinegar that absorbs bad odors and eliminates bacteria.
Finally, bay leaves can be used to remove odours from cooked food. We are talking in particular about foods with strong odours such as cauliflower or cabbage. In this case, a few bay leaves are added to the cooking water.
By using one or two bay leaves, the food will smell less, as will the house, because the smell of cabbage or cauliflower will hardly spread to all rooms. In fact, the bay leaf slightly alters the taste of cauliflower, making it much sweeter and more delicate, even more tasty for those who do not particularly like it.
