Fragrant and aromatic, laurel is a plant with a thousand uses.
Both in cooking and in cosmetics , its use has been attested for centuries: Aleppo soap is famous , a natural soap made from olive oil and bay leaf that dates back to 2500 BC.
Furthermore, the laurel was considered sacred by the ancient Greeks , a plant symbol of the god Apollo , but also of victory, fame and success.
Unsurprisingly, even today laurel wreaths are used to crown graduates just as in ancient Greece they were used to crown the winners of the Delphi games.
But what does it mean to burn bay leaves at home?
A simple procedure , but rich in benefits for the environment and for the body. Let’s find out how to burn bay leaf and what these benefits are.
Warning: Before burning bay leaves , take all precautions to avoid burning yourself. Also, keep burning bay leaf away from children, pets, and things that could catch fire .
Furthermore, the effects listed here do not represent cures for medical conditions : in this case, you should rely solely on medical advice.
how to burn laurel
Burning laurel does not require special tools. You just have to be VERY CAREFUL not to exceed the amount and not smoke too much. I recommend maximum attention and caution!
All you need is a clay container or saucepan , some dried bay leaves , a lighter or matches.
Once lit, put them in the container and walk around the room spreading the smoke they emit.
Keep in mind that bay leaves burn very quickly, so be quick.
Just to prevent the leaves from burning so quickly that they cannot spread the aroma well in the room, you can tie several dried bay leaves with a rope or cotton thread . However, do not exceed the amount, as the fumes may be too intense and therefore toxic.
To this type of laurel bouquet, if you wish, you can add rosemary which , in addition to providing a slightly sweeter note to the smell, enhances the effects of the laurel.
The advantages
Now let’s see what the benefits are if we burn bay leaves at home!
Note: However, in case of combustion , it is advisable not to burn the leaves in your bedroom before going to bed, so as not to alter the quality of the air.
Reduces anxiety and stress.
Burning bay leaves at home reduces anxiety and stress .
In fact, when burned, bay leaves release linalool , an active ingredient with relaxing and calming effects .
Reduces mental fatigue
Coming back from a busy work week? Nothing better than starting the weekend by burning laurel and spreading its aroma throughout the house .
Bay leaf, in fact, contains cineole and elemicin, two substances that reduce the feeling of exhaustion, giving you mental clarity and a greater state of alertness.
To enhance its effect, you can sprinkle a little aroma in the bathroom before a hot bath or shower .
Helps you breathe better
Closed nose and throat due to a cold? Help can come from the laurel .
Instead of burning the bay leaf , you can also soak it in a glass of water overnight . Then, place the liquid in a parts atomizer , which will diffuse the aroma while maintaining its properties .
Perfume the house
Burning bay leaves at home works better than an air freshener !
Bay leaf , in fact, has a slightly spicy but still pleasant fragrance . When burned, this fragrance spreads through the air, covering other odors and is very long-lasting .
Also in this case, it is necessary to distribute the smoke well in the rooms and avoid intense flames which, on the contrary, can exacerbate the burning smell .