Bay leaf
Neither roast, nor stew, nor soups can do without it. However, in addition to excellent taste, this seasoning also has a lot of "usefulness", which makes it possible to successfully use bay leaves in medicine.
The ratio of BJU in the product
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Description
Bay leaf is a plant of the Laurel family. Its homeland is the countries of Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. This spice has been used by man since time immemorial. Laurel branches and leaves were crowned the heads of the winners of sports competitions and war heroes in the Roman Empire and Ancient Greece, and the tree itself was considered sacred. In the Middle Ages, laurel was considered a symbol of goodness and believed that it protects against evil forces and lightning. Actually, the word "laureate" comes from the word "laurel" and literally it can be translated as "crowned with laurels."
Today, laurel is grown in most countries with a suitable climate for it - Greece, Turkey, France, Italy, Spain and other Mediterranean countries, the Caucasus countries, Guatemala, Albania and Portugal. In Ukraine, bay leaves are grown in Crimea.
Judging by numerous reviews, bay leaves are widely used not only in cooking, but also in the medical and chemical industries. As a raw material, it is used to obtain cineole and camphor.
Bay leaf in cooking
In cooking, bay leaf is one of the most common seasonings. Seeds and ground leaves are used as a spice.
Back in the middle of the 17th century, the personal chef of Queen Marie de Medici, the Frenchman François Pierre de la Varenpe, wrote a review about the bay leaf in his cookbook, where it was said that he was not only able to improve, but also correct the taste of almost any dish. He recommended adding it not only to the first and second courses, but also to puddings and desserts.
It is added to marinades, sauces, broths, soups, used in the preparation of fish and meat dishes, as well as salty and sour. It is added when preserving vegetables - zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, squash. It goes especially well with pickled cucumbers, beets, tomatoes and cabbage. Bay leaves give a pleasant taste to goulash, jelly, sauces.
Laurel essential oil is used in the manufacture of some alcoholic beverages and confectionery.
Bay leaf composition
100 g of bay leaves contains 75 g of carbohydrates, 8 g of fat, 8 g of protein, as well as ash, saturated fatty acids, fiber. The laurel contains vitamins: retinol (A), thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6,) ascorbic acid (C), niacin (PP); macronutrients: phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium; trace elements: zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, iron.
The calorie content of bay leaves is 313 kcal per 100 g.
The bay leaf is rich in essential oil, which gives it a specific aroma, organic acids (valerian, acetic, nylon), phytoncides, tannins, fatty acids.
Bay leaf treatment
Even famous ancient doctors recommended using bay leaves in medicine as a medicine for various diseases. So, Hippocrates left reviews of the bay leaf as an excellent remedy for cramps and to reduce pain during labor attempts. Avicenna believed that bay leaf treatment relieves joint pain, reduces shortness of breath and helps with nervous tension, and the bark and seeds of the plant are useful for urolithiasis and cholecystitis.
Currently, bay leaves are used in medicine not only folk, but also official. It is known that bay leaf treatment relieves puffiness, increases appetite, suppresses the development of tubercle bacilli, improves digestive processes, enhances immunity, helps with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
It has a stimulating, diuretic, astringent, antifungal, antibacterial effect. Therefore, in the absence of contraindications, bay leaf is used for the prevention and treatment of fever, stomatitis, colic, amenorrhea, nervous disorders, and also as a diaphoretic. In large doses, laurel produces an emetic effect.
From the flowers, fruits and leaves of the plant, an essential oil is obtained, which is an excellent insecticidal and disinfectant. They are treated with bruises, sprains, and joint pain. It is also used in the production of medicines. So, essential oil and crushed laurel fruits are part of antiseptic soap and some ointments.
It is believed that the dried fruits of the plant help well in the treatment of cancer.
Bay leaf - contraindications
A contraindication to bay leaves is:
- Diseases of the heart, kidneys and liver;
- The period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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