Bay leaves, also known as laurel leaves, have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their various health benefits. One of these benefits is their ability to help relieve coughs. And Bay leaves contain compounds such as eucalyptol, pinene, and cineol, which have expectorant properties.
Coughing is a natural defense mechanism of the body to clear the airways of irritants such as dust, smoke, or mucus.
However, persistent coughing can become a problem and affect your quality of life. In such cases, natural remedies such as bay leaves can be a good alternative to over-the-counter cough syrups.
I. What are the causes of cough?
There are many causes of coughing. In order to establish the causes, there are some characteristics to consider:
Inflammatory cough: the airways swell, making it difficult for air to pass, and the cough may cause pain. It is typical of diseases such as colds, flu, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, cancer or lung fibrosis, among others.
Cough due to environmental stimuli such as dust or dust mites. In many cases, this type of cough is a symptom of an ongoing or seasonal allergy or exposure to highly polluted areas. Avoid contact with areas where there are chemical residues such as toxic gases and smoke.
Sudden changes in temperature can also trigger coughing, as can emotional factors caused by anxiety, nervousness, or tics, such as psychogenic coughing.
Smoking (including passive smoking) and drug use promote the development of a cough that can become chronic.
II. Is bay leaf good for cough
1. Does bay leaf Clean the lungs and stop coughing
Another amazing feature of bay leaves is their ability to clear your respiratory system.
If you have a cold or a bad cough, bay leaves can help to unclog your airways and eliminate bacteria.
2. How often should you drink bay leaf tea?
Bay leaf tea has many benefits, especially if you drink them regularly. Ideally, you can drink bay tea up to three times a day.
3. Is smoking bay leaves good for cough?
Thanks to its bactericidal and expectorant properties, smoking bay leaves is particularly suitable for decongesting the respiratory tract and is often used successfully in cases of sinusitis, bronchitis, flu, and colds, to calm the cough and soothe the throat.
4. Is bay leaf good for respiratory infection?
Bay leaf acts on the respiratory system and relieves patients with bronchitis or sinusitis. In case of cough, it is beneficial, as when suffering from a cold or flu.
5. Does bay leaves help get rid of phlegm
Bay leaf tea has mild astringent effects that recommend it to clear mucus from the nose and throat to breathe better.
And the fact that it is mostly water, and that it is warm, helps to move the thick mucus from the back of the throat and clear the nasal passages.
III. How to use the bay leaf for cough
1. Bay Laurel Cough Syrup
Bay leaf syrup is not only a useful remedy for cough, but it has an important advantage: it tastes quite pleasant, so even children will have no problem taking it.
In addition, bay syrup revitalizes your body, which is certainly very convenient, because we usually feel a significant lack of energy when we are sick.
Ingredients:
- 8-10 dried bay leaves
- 1/4 -1/2 L water
- 10-20 g sugar
- Lemon juice
Steps for preparation:
- Put the bay leaves, sugar, and water in a bowl and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Put aside and let it cover for 10-15 minutes
- Add the lemon juice when it cools a bit.
The syrup is medium thick and quite sweet. For those who can’t drink it in a cup, take a spoon and drink it a little at a time while it’s still warm. But not too hot.
2. Bay Leaf and Honey for a Cough
Ingredients:
- 10 Fresh bay leaves
- 1/2 Lemon, sliced
- 1 Large spoonful of honey
Preparation:
- Brew the bay leaves and lemon for fifteen minutes.
- Drink hot with a large spoonful of honey.
3. Bay Leaf and cinnamon tea for cough
To make this healthy cinnamon and bay leaf tea, you will only need 6 bay leaves, 1 cinnamon stick and 1 liter of water, the preparation is as follows:
- Bring the water to a boil and add the bay leaf and cinnamon.
- Stir well and let it sit for a few minutes to drink.
- Sweeten with honey if you wish and serve.
4. Ginger and bay leaf tea for cough
Ingredients:
- 10 g turmeric powder
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 g ginger
- juice of one lemon
- 1 l water
Preparation:
- Cut your washed ginger into small pieces, and squeeze a lemon. Don’t forget to clean your bay leaves, while bringing the water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add the bay leaves, ginger, and lemon juice.
- Boil for 10 minutes, then add the turmeric and boil for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes, then strain the tea.
- Your tea is ready to be enjoyed, you can even add honey if you like.
IV. Other benefits of bay leaves
1. Cleanse the liver
To detoxify your liver and restore its health, you can use bay leaves. Bay leaf tea is effective for different types of stomach problems, including liver health. That’s why bay leaves are very popular for “hangovers”.
2. May help fight inflammation
In case of inflammation, bay leaves can also be used to relieve pain.
They have been very popular for centuries for oral health and work against gum inflammation.
You can also use bay leaves to relieve joint and muscle pain.
3. May help prevent certain cancers
Bay leaves have a very positive impact on certain cancers.
The cancers that bay leaves have an effect on are colon and breast cancers. It seems that the consumption of bay leaves can prevent the occurrence of these two types of cancers, and even reduce their symptoms.
4. May help skin health
It is possible to use bay leaves for skin wellness. They have cleansing and antiseptic properties.
They can act on skin diseases or regulate excess sebum and thus, reduce the appearance of pimples.
5. May help reduce the effects of diabetes
It can be interesting to add the consumption of bay leaves to your diet, especially if you suffer from diabetes.
Bay leaves are used to cleanse the blood, such as regulating fat levels or blood sugar levels.
These properties are extremely important for people with type 2 diabetes. So, whether you have diabetes or want to prevent its onset, consuming bay leaves can be an asset.
6. Can help heal wounds quickly
Body wounds are a risk of infection. Bay leaves have antibacterial properties, which allows them to act in this case by preventing the spread of bacteria.
This feature of bay leaves allows wounds to heal more quickly and easily.
7. May reduce fungal infections
The properties of bay leaves allow them to help a lot in case of fungal infections. A fungal infection has for origin the proliferation of a fungus, as it is the case with candida Albicans when one is touched by a candidosis.
To act against this type of pathology, you can use bay leaves in the form of essential oil for example. This will help you to fight against this pathology.
8. May help hair and scalp health
For the health of your hair, you can also use bay leaves. Bay leaves are very convenient to prevent itching and dandruff that can develop on the scalp.
Because they are rich in vitamins, bay leaves are natural products that help strengthen the hair and reduce the risk of hair loss.
Even if there is an infection or the presence of lice, using bay leaves on your hair can provide relief and help you get rid of these unwanted guests.
V. Other Questions about Bay leaves and Cough
1. Is bay leaf good for a cold?
Bay leaves are real health benefits for people with coughs or respiratory problems. They can improve the respiratory faculties and help in case of cold.
2. Is bay leaf good for the throat?
Another amazing benefit of bay leaf is its ability to soothe sore throats and reduce colds. Bay leaf is very helpful in clearing the respiratory system.
If you are suffering from a bad cough and flu, bay leaf tea can help you unclog the airways and get rid of the bacteria that cause the cold.
3. What are the side effects of bay leaves?
Bay leaves are great for your health, but they can have side effects.
First of all, the consumption of bay leaf tea is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, as well as very young children.
Also, if you consume too much, bay leaves can cause drowsiness.
This is even more dangerous for people who drive. It is also important to be careful with bay leaves if you have a sensitive stomach.
Bay leaf oil can cause allergies. Before using it on a larger area, test for skin reactions on a small area of your skin.
4. Does bay leaf tea help you sleep?
The properties of bay leaves make it an excellent tea to help you fall asleep naturally. Bay leaves have soothing properties and help calm the nervous system. Taking it before bed will help you calm down and promote restful sleep.
5. Can I drink bay leaf tea on an empty stomach?
Bay leaf tea should be drunk three times a day. Once in the morning on an empty stomach, a second time shortly before lunch, and a third time half an hour after dinner. Before drinking the water, warm it slightly.
6. How long should you boil bay leaves?
It is usually necessary to boil bay leaves for about ten minutes, to consume them as a tea or herbal tea.