Description.
The official name of the laurel tree is the laurel noble. It is an evergreen, with a dense crown, a tree or a high bush. The Lavra has been preserved since ancient times - in the ancient world laurel wreaths were awarded to heroes and winners. In natural conditions, the laurel noble lives for several hundred years. Today, the noble laurel is grown mainly on plantations, where the life span is on the average 60 years.
The bark of the tree is smooth, gray in color. The laurel has numerous branched branches. Leaves are dark green in color, up to 15 cm long, oval-elongated with sharpening at the end, leathery, short-petioled. Blossom laurel inflorescences, consisting of small flowers of cream color. Fruits are black, the bone is large. The shape is round and slightly elongated. Flowering period: April - May; Fruits ripen in October - November.
Laurel noble in the conditions of natural growth can be found in the countries of the Mediterranean basin - this place is considered its homeland. But the laurel plantations are found not only there, it is grown also in the Caucasus. Lavra for normal life requires places with a subtropical climate. The Laurel tree loves the sun very much, but it can withstand even small frosts in the places of its natural and constant growth. The monastery is not very fond of, and with a certain care, you can even grow a small bush of the laurel of the noble at home.
The composition of the bay leaf and the rules for its collection.
In the leaves of the laurel there is a large amount of essential oil, which gives them the aroma inherent only to bay leaf. Also laurel leaves contain organic acids - acetic, valerian, kapron; phytoncides, thanks to which laurel noble has antibacterial effect; fatty acids, tannins, microelements.
The collection of laurel leaves starts from November to February. Leaves are collected only from plants, whose age is not less than three years. Collection of leaves is done together with branches. The collected mass immediately undergoes drying in a place inaccessible to direct sunlight. After drying, the leaves are separated from the branches and put in special containers - bags. If the storage conditions are respected, the bay leaf retains its properties for several years.
Of the freshly harvested laurel leaves and ripe fruits, an essential oil is obtained, which is then used in perfumery.
Application in medicine.
Laurel leaves in folk medicine have been used for a long time. Leaves have pronounced wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial properties. In addition to these, laurel also has a diuretic, astringent, soothing effect, improves appetite and digestion, and lowers blood sugar.
The Bay leaf is now, as in past centuries, the main and everyday spice used in cooking.
Based on the essential oil obtained from the laurel, various creams, ointments, antibacterial soaps are made.
Recipes for preparation of medicinal preparations from laurel leaves.
The Bay leaf and after drying retains its medicinal qualities, therefore it is possible to get rid of many troubles and diseases even at home.
- If you just chew a few times a day, laurel leaves, without eating and drinking for an hour after chewing, you can get rid of gingivitis, stomatitis and bad breath.
- You can sew a few laurel leaves in a pillow to nervous, excitable children - and their sleep will be deep and calm, because the laurel leaves are no worse than valerian.
- To disinfect the room where the patient is, it is necessary to brew several leaves with boiling water, for 15 minutes, insist and pour into a wide saucer or flat dish for better evaporation. When the room is filled with the aroma of laurel leaves, the air will clear of bacteria.
- An infusion from a laurel leaf can also be used inside. To do this, brew 10 leaves in three cups of boiling water, insist for three hours and drink ½ cup three times a day. This infusion well reduces blood sugar in diabetes mellitus; with rheumatoid arthritis, this infusion is used as an anti-inflammatory drug; with the disease of tuberculosis acts as an immunostimulant and antibacterial agent.
- You can get laurel oil (essential oil contained in bay leaf) at home. To do this, laurel leaves should be ground beforehand, and a half tablespoons of already crushed sheet pour a glass of vegetable oil, insist in a cool, dark place for a week, drain. This oil is applied externally in the treatment of pressure sores, diaper rash, inflammatory, with suppuration, skin diseases.
- To get rid of excessive sweating of the legs and, as a consequence, an unpleasant odor, it is necessary to prepare infusion for external use. To do this, take 30 leaves of the laurel, pour a glass of boiling water and insist for 3 hours. Then pour into a basin of water and make a warm bath for the feet.
It's amazing how such a leaf from childhood can be a home remedy for various diseases.