You already love bay leaves for their flavour and aroma, making them an integral element of many dishes like biryani, pulao, soup, curry, etc. However, did you know that bay leaves are also good for your health?
Also known as tej patta, bay leaves are known for their health benefits and age-old medicinal properties, as they possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Even Ayurveda considers this herb to be an effective home remedy to treat various illnesses.
Let's discuss 10 benefits of tej patta and some potential side effects in this article.
Benefits of Tej Patta
1. Helps In Improving Digestion
Bay leaves contain organic compounds that effectively settle an upset stomach and soothing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Bay leaves help lower the body's toxicity level to function better. Bay leaves contain enzymes that help facilitate the digestion of proteins that are difficult to digest. Bay leaves play a critical role in the digestion of complex proteins.
2. Acts As A Stress-Buster
Stress is one of the most prevalent health issues in today's world. To combat stress in the body, eat more bay leaves. Linalool is a compound that lowers stress hormones. Moreover, these leaves help you reduce tension and fight depression.
3. Protects Your Body From Inflammation
The anti-inflammatory properties of bay leaves are enhanced by a unique phytonutrient called parthenolide, which significantly reduces inflammation, reducing the risk of developing conditions like arthritis.
4. Heart-Friendly
Bay leaves contain a variety of compounds that may benefit the cardiovascular system. These compounds strengthen the capillaries in the heart and reduce bad cholesterol.
5. Fights against fungal infections
With its high levels of vitamin C, bay leaf is known to have antifungal properties that can help fight fungal infections. Its antifungal properties can protect the skin from any kind of infection or irritation.
6. May have Anticancer properties
A study by the Journal of Nutrition Research found bay leaves to be promising anticancer agents. The combination of antioxidants, catechins, linalool, and parthenolide found in bay leaves helps to protect your body from the effects of cancer-causing free radicals.
7. Helps in Inducing Sleep
It is said that bay leaves help induce proper sleep when consumed at bedtime. For this purpose, the diluted bay leaf extract is consumed in water.
8. Aids in Diabetes Management
In a 2016 study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, it was found that taking bay leaves for 30 days helped people with Type-2 diabetes improve insulin function. Due to the presence of several phytochemicals and essential oils in bay leaves, the leaves can lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Consumption of bay leaves can improve insulin and glucose metabolism. Bay leaves have an active component called polyphenol, which helps control glucose levels and the lipid profile of patients.
9. Treats Dandruff and itchy scalp
Bay leaf is an excellent remedy for treating dandruff and itchiness of the scalp. It strengthens hair follicles and reduces the itching that occurs when your scalp is dry. This is done by grinding a few bay leaves into powder and mixing it with coconut oil. The paste can then be applied to your scalp to reduce dandruff and itchiness. Bay Leaf works as a tonic.
10. Bay leaves for respiratory system benefits
The natural antibacterial properties of the bay leaf make it beneficial to the respiratory system since the vapours inhale have an effect similar to aromatherapy. It can loosen up the phlegm and eliminate harmful bacteria that may be trapped in the respiratory tracts.
Tej Patta Side Effects
Although tej patta offers numerous benefits, there are a few side effects that one should be aware of -
- While Tej Patta is likely safe for most people in food amounts, swallowing them whole, intact leaf is not recommended. Since the leaf can't be digested, it remains intact during its passage through the digestive system. In other words, it can become clogged in the throat or pierce the lining of the intestines.
- Those who have diabetes taking the bay leaf will need to closely monitor their blood sugar since the bay leaf might interfere with blood sugar control.
- There is a possibility that bay leaves might slow down the central nervous system (CNS). It may slow down the CNS too much if used with anaesthesia and other medications during or after surgery. If you are going to have surgery within two weeks, you must stop taking bay leaf as a medicine.
