Bay leaves have been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, but the ancient Greeks and Romans considered this herb a sacred plant.
It is known that the winners of the Olympiad put on their heads a laurel wreath, and the symbolic meaning of this mythical plant was – honor and glory. All these qualities that are attributed to this plant reveal that laurel was very important to our ancestors. It turns out there’s a reason for that.
Although we use it primarily as a spice, the healing properties of bay leaves are known to us, and the main active substances of this plant are pinene and cineol oils which have soothing properties.
The psychoactive effects of bay leaf have been described in many myths and legends, the most famous being that of the Oracle of Delphi, where they chewed bay leaves to see the future.
The essential oils and other active substances of laurel have a calming effect, and all you will do is light a single leaf in an ashtray, leave the room and come back after 10 minutes. The room will be full of scents that will act relaxing and soothing to all members of the family.
As a medicinal plant, bay leaf acts as an antirheumatic, antiseptic, bactericidal, diuretic, sedative, antioxidant. It has a positive effect on mood. At the same time, the leaves and berries are also effective in the treatment of hysteria, neurasthenia stomach flu.