What are bay leaf benefits for skin? How to use bay leaves for the skin? What are the good recipes? What is the nutritional profile of the bay leaf? And finally, what are the contraindications and side effects of bay leaves?
I. What Is the bay leaf
The bay leaves are used in the kitchen as a flavoring. These are leaves from a shrub called the bay, family Lauraceae.
This tree grows in Asia Minor and southern Europe and is known by several other names. It is also known as Laurel-Noble, Laurel-White, or Laurel-Sauce.
Used in cooking, most often dried, Laurel leaves are dark green with ripples around the edges, and have a very aromatic smell.
If the leaves of the White Laurel are edible, it is not the case of those of the Rose Laurel or Cherry Laurel, which are poisonous. So avoid confusing them.
Let’s see now, bay leaf benefits for the skin and some of the uses of the leaves of this miraculous plant.
II. 11 bay leaf benefits for skin
1. Healthy scalp
Bay leaf contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that help get rid of scalp infections and prevent dandruff.
The leaves are rich in vitamin C and have amazing natural antioxidant properties.
You can find many Ayurvedic hair oils containing bay leaves because of their amazing benefits for hair.
2. Acne
Bay leaf oil, if used wisely, can also help treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial but also balancing effect on sebum production.
For this, it must be used in very small doses and always diluted in a carrier oil.
3. Can reduce pimples
Indeed, this is one of the surprising benefits of bay leaves. Bay leaves are useful in fighting your pimples.
This is because bay leaves are rich in antioxidants and also work as an antiseptic and antibacterial, which is of great help in treating pimples.
4. May Help Fight Fungal Infections
Studies show the antifungal properties of bay leaves, especially against Candida infections.
Bay leaf can prevent Candida from adhering to cell walls, thus preventing it from penetrating the membrane.
Further studies have been conducted to better understand how bay leaf may work to fight fungal infections.
5. May relieve bee and wasp stings
Due to its healing and anti-inflammatory properties, bay leaves can also be used to treat certain skin problems such as insect bites.
Simply put, it acts as a natural astringent for the skin. Add 1 ½ tablespoon of bay leaf powder to 1 tablespoon of water to form a paste.
Apply to the skin to heal cuts, bruises, or insect bites.
6. May Aid Wound Healing
Studies on rats showed that bay leaf contributed to better wound healing than the control group.
Although it does not outperform Alamanda (a perennial shrub used in traditional medicine) in terms of wound healing, it has shown beneficial effects.
7. Skin Tone
Bay leaves help to achieve soft and clear skin. Simply boil a few bay leaves in water, let it cool, strain the leaves and store them in a container.
Use this water as a skin toner and apply it twice a day on your face.
8. Skin moisturizing
Bay leaves help to prevent dry skin. Therefore, it is advisable to use several bay leaves with a handful of fresh rosemary, five drops of lavender oil, and two cups of water to prepare a natural remedy to increase skin hydration.
9. Fight Skin Bacteria
Geraniol, among other elements found in bay leaves, fights microbes, reducing the risk of disease. These properties, combined with its vitamin C content, can protect the skin from all types of infection and irritation.
These are just some of the properties of bay leaves. This is why they are so highly valued in medicine.
10. Can relieve sunburned skin
Overexposure to the sun can cause uneven skin tone and blemishes.
Take a laurel water bath to even out your skin tone. Do this, every day for the best results.
11. Whitening Skin
Bay leaf is an excellent natural product that can reduce dark spots, and blemishes and lighten skin tone.
III. How to use Bay leaf for Skin
1. bay leaves and cornstarch for skin
Bay leaves contain compounds such as eucalyptol, cineol, and pinene, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Cornstarch, on the other hand, is a fine powder made from corn and is often used as a thickening agent in cooking. It is also known for its soothing properties and is often used in skincare products.
When combined, bay leaves and cornstarch may help to soothe and calm irritated skin.
To use these ingredients, you can create a paste by crushing a few bay leaves and mixing them with cornstarch and water.
Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Here is another recipe that is also very beneficial for the skin:
Ingredients:
- 20 bay leaves
- A large cup of water
- 6 teaspoons of cornstarch
- tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon of crumb
Preparation:
- Put 10 bay leaves in a pan (you can use fresh or dried bay leaves)
- Add a cup of water
- Let the bay leaves boil for 10 minutes (until the color of the water turns green)
- Strain boiled bay leaves
- Add 6 teaspoons of cornstarch. Then mix and put the mixture in a saucepan that you put on low heat. You have to stir the mixture constantly without stopping.
- When you get a creamy mixture, turn off the heat and let cool slightly.
- Put the slightly cooled mixture in a bowl to which we will add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
- Add a teaspoon of honey (honey moisturizes the skin and makes it look like baby skin)
- Add a teaspoon of almond oil (or a vitamin E capsule)
We then obtain an effective cream to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines.
This cream is to be stored in a glass jar that can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Application:
This cream should be applied to the skin before going to bed. It should be massaged until the skin absorbs it.
It can also be applied to wrinkles around the eyes.
The cream is left to act overnight and the next morning, wash the skin with soap and water.
2. Face mask with bay leaf [Clay with bay leaf water]
Add 1 tablespoon of bay leaf powder to 1/2 cup of boiling water and boil for 2-3 minutes.
Take 2-4 tablespoons of clay in a small bowl and add the boiling bay leaf water to it just enough to make a smooth paste.
Apply this paste to clean, dry skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes or until the skin is dry and rinse well.
This mask cures acne, reduces pore size, heals acne scars, and removes dead skin cells and bacteria. This face mask is very effective in giving you youthful and glowing skin.
3. Bay Leaf Tea
A hot cup of bay leaf tea is said to be more like aromatherapy.
The fragrant leaves help spice up the tea and give it a taste that leaves you wanting more. To make the tea, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 large bay leaves
- 3 cups of water
- Sugar and milk (optional)
Preparation:
First, carefully add the bay leaf to a pot and pour in the water. Let it boil for at least three minutes on high heat.
Remove the pot and let the tea steep for a short time (about 4 minutes), strain and drink.
You can choose to add sugar and milk but be careful, too much can alter the flavor of the tea.
4. Cinnamon and bay leaf tea
There is also cinnamon bay leaf tea which is another way to enjoy this amazing tea. To prepare it, you just need to add a cinnamon stick to the bay leaf and boil them together.
For those who are eager to get rid of unwanted pounds, cinnamon in bay leaf tea is a wonderful way to lose weight.
5. Ginger and bay leaf tea
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of milk
- 2/3 cup of water
- 2 teaspoons of sugar (optional)
- 2/3 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon of crushed ginger
Preparation:
- Boil the water in a pot
- Add the ginger slices and bay leaves
- Infuse for 15 minutes and strain
- Add milk and sugar
6. How to make bay leaf water for skin
Crush 10 dry or raw bay leaves. Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a saucepan and add the crushed bay leaves.
Let the water boil for 10 minutes on low heat and remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature. Strain and collect the water in a jar.
Use this water to splash on your clean face several times a day, starting early in the morning until just before bedtime.
Repeat daily for clear, smooth, acne-free skin.
7. Bay leaf in bath water
Powder a few bay leaves and keep them in a small jar. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of powder into a muslin bag or cloth and wrap it with tight knots.
Place the bag in hot bath water and allow the water to soak in and dissolve the bay leaf extracts, then enjoy your bath.
Repeat twice a week to make your skin odorless, soft, healthy, and radiant.
8. Bay leaf Oil for skin
Bay leaf oil is also soothing to the skin. When used topically in a massage, it provides a soothing and relaxing experience.
Bay leaf essential oil also reduces the appearance of spots and promotes a clear complexion.
Ingredients:
- 2 and a half spoons of bay leaves (30g)
- 2 cups of sweet almond oil (about 400g)
- Utensils:
- 1 glass jar or container with a capacity of 400 ml
Preparation:
The preparation of bay leaf oil is so simple that it will surprise you.
However, you should know that you need one more ingredient: patience. Once the product is ready, you will have to wait 40 days for it to macerate.
- Start by washing the container or glass jar well.
- Next, place the bay leaves, taking care to clean them beforehand so that they are free of soil or remains of other plants.
- Once the bay leaves are placed, add the sweet almond oil.
- Close the jar tightly and leave to macerate for 40 days.
If you are patient, you will get a wonderful essential oil!
9. Homemade Bay Leaf Tincture for Skin
Tincture of bay leaves on vodka or diluted alcohol helps to eliminate heaviness and joint pain and fights inflammation.
You need 18 to 20 fresh leaves of medium size for 0.5 liters of vodka.
Recipe for the tincture of bay leaves
- Wash and dry the glass jar thoroughly.
- Place the whole leaves in the bottom of the jar.
- Pour in the vodka.
- Place the jar in a cool place, out of the sun, for one week.
- Shake every day.
- Strain and pour the tincture into another bowl.
Homemade bay leaf tincture is used for lotions or compresses, and frictions. Moisten a soft cloth with the product, apply to the sore spot, isolate and leave to soak for at least an hour. The treatment lasts at least one month.
III. What Is the Nutritional Profile of Bay Leaf (5 g)?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one tablespoon of crumbled bay leaf (5 g) contains:
- 175 calories of energy
- 97 g of carbohydrates
- 380 g of protein
- 13147 g of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals
IV. Potential Side Effects
It is strongly advised against consuming a very large amount of bay leaves, as bay leaves can cause drowsiness.
Also, the consumption of high doses of bay leaves can cause digestive problems, bloating (flatulence), rheumatism, panic, boils, fungus, dermatitis, bronchitis, cough …
The consumption of this plant is not at all recommended for pregnant women and who breastfeed their babies. It is contra-indicated. They must especially be extremely careful with the oleander.
V. Other Questions about bay leaf benefits for skin
1. Is swallowing a bay leaf dangerous?
Bay leaves are safe to cook with, but because of their texture, they are almost impossible to chew.
The biggest danger of eating bay leaves is choking or getting one stuck in your digestive system.
2. Are bay leaves good for wrinkles?
Bay leaves help de-stress your skin, preventing wrinkles and skin flare-ups.
3. Can I drink bay leaf tea everyday?
Yes, it is possible to drink bay leaf tea every day. This tea is beneficial for your heart because it is a powerful combination of antioxidants and potassium.
Potassium is essential for your heart health because it helps to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
4. Is bay leaf poisonous for pets?
Bay leaves contain essential oils and chemicals that are harmful to animals.
Ingestion of bay leaves can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and digestive problems. Avoid giving bay leaves to your pet.
Useful Links:
Study of the skin anatomy with high-frequency (22 MHz) ultrasonography
Studies of Skin Microbes in Healthy People and in People With Skin Conditions
Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body