Bay Leaves

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I often wondered why my mother always added bay leaves to food when she was cooking. I could never discern what taste or texture they were supposed to impart.

BAY LEAVES

Many women add bay leaves to food without knowing the reason.
And when asked why, the answer is: to give flavor and taste to the dish.

However, adding bay leaves to meats and other dishes helps transform triglyceride-type fats into monounsaturated fats (try cutting a chicken in half and cooking each half in a different container: put bay leaves in one and nothing in the other; then, observe the amount of fat in each).

If you have bay leaves, there's no reason to turn to the pharmacy, as recent scientific studies have proven they offer various benefits:

Bay leaves treat digestive system disorders, helping to eliminate abdominal bloating, heartburn, acidity, and constipation, in addition to regulating bowel function when hot bay leaf tea is consumed.

They reduce blood sugar levels and also act as antioxidants, promoting insulin production by the body, whether through consumption in food or by drinking bay leaf tea for a month.

They eliminate harmful cholesterol and help the body get rid of triglyceride-type fats.

They are very beneficial in treating colds, flu, and intense coughs, as they are rich in vitamin C; you can boil the leaves and inhale the steam to eliminate mucus and reduce cough intensity.

They eliminate insomnia and anxiety; if consumed before bed, they help with relaxation and provide restful sleep.

Drinking a cup of bay leaf infusion twice a day dissolves kidney stones and cures inflammations.

 

[Joe King]

^^^ Wow, I had no idea.

 

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HEB Central Market in downtown Houston has a huge bulk herbs/spices aisle. They sell bulk bay leaves for the best price I have ever seen anywhere.