Benefits of bay leaf tea have a lot. The major benefit of regularly consuming bay leaf tea is that it’s good for your heart. This is because of its powerful combination of potassium, antioxidants, and iron. Potassium is vital for heart health, helping with cardiac rhythm as well as lowering blood pressure. Antioxidants help lower inflammation by protecting against free radicals in the body and have been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease. As for iron, it’s important for heart health because it protects against both heart disease and strokes.
Benefits of Bay Leaf Tea
May Improve the Functioning of the Nervous System
Numerous studies have found that bay leaves can affect the central nervous system, possibly including soothing nervous disorders and ensuring that communication occurs smoothly around the body.
May Improve Skin Health
When topically rubbed on the skin, bay leaves are known to have healing properties, and the same is true when these leaves are brewed into tea. The antioxidants can help to soothe the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and blemishes, and even add elasticity to the skin.
May Improve Heart Health
With good amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A in this tea, drinking a cup of this regularly can help to reduce blood pressure and even drop cholesterol levels, while maintaining the integrity of your blood vessels and arteries.
May Aid in Managing Diabetes
Bay leaves have a well-known effect on blood sugar control within the body. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition suggests that consuming bay leaves in doses of 1-3 g/day for thirty days can help decrease risk factors for diabetes. A cup of tea is a great way to get bay leaf into your diet. In vitro studies have also observed improved glucose function.
May Relieve Inflammatory Conditions
There are many inflammatory conditions that this tea is known to remedy, including things like bunions and the pain of arthritis, as well as headache, gout, and other chronic problems with inflamed joints.
May Help Soothe Stress and Anxiety
The central nervous system responds to this tea, which can help to alter your stress levels. There is a soothing quality to this slightly spicy brew, able to keep your stress hormone levels down and under control.
Potential Antioxidant Properties
Some of the antioxidants in this tea are known to eliminate free radicals and relieve symptoms of gastric issues.
It May Aid in Digestion
There are certain enzymes found within bay leaves that speed the digestive process and help you get more nutrients from the food you eat.
It May Help Soothe Respiratory Distress
The use of this tea to soothe coughs and sore throats is common in areas where it is widely cultivated.
How to Make Bay Leaf Tea?
Brewing your bay leaf tea at home is very simple, although it will take a bit longer to brew than most herbal teas. Take a look at the recipe below.
Ingredients
- 3 large West Indian bay leaves
- 3 cups of water
- 1.5-2 cups of milk (optional)
- 1-2 tsp honey/sugar (if desired)
Instructions
- To make bay leaf tea, add 3 large West Indian bay leaves to a saucepan of water (fresh leaves).
- Bring the water to a boil. Allow the tea to boil for 5 minutes, and then turn off the heat.
- Let the bay leaves steep for an additional 3 minutes.
- Strain out the bay leaves and serve the tea hot.
- If you’re adding a natural sweetener or milk, do so in moderation, as the flavor is quite delicate.
Bay Leaf Tea Side Effects
There are a great many benefits of this tea, but there are some potential side effects, as well, such as complications with pregnancy, diabetes, or the nervous system.
Diabetes
The effects that this tea can have on blood sugar levels are well known, but this effect can also be hard to predict, so diabetic patients should drink this tea with caution.
Nervous System
The relaxant nature of this tea on the nervous system can make it dangerous if you have issues with your central nervous system, or are planning to undergo any surgical procedures that may include anesthesia.
Pregnancy
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not recommended to drink this tea, due to its potent ingredients and potential effects.
