Benefits of Bay Leaves, Medicinal Uses, Dosage, & Side Effects
In this article, we will discuss the medicinal properties and uses of bay leaves. Bay leaves have great importance in Ayurveda for the treatment of dental issues, cough, swelling, black spots over the face, bad breath, etc. The dry leaves have full flavor but fresh leaves do not have full flavor. So its leaves are used in dry form because they balance Vata and Kapha dosha and also increase pitta dosha in the body. Its oil shoes good results in managing symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis because of the anti-inflammatory property.
—-shloka—-
Meaning of this shloka
It means that synonyms of bay leaf are Patra, tamal Patra, patranamak, and patraka. Its is of sweet taste, slight piercing in nature, hot potency, unctuous and light in nature, balances kapha and vata dosha, treats piles, nausea, indigestion and cold.
(Reference- Bhavaprakasha nighantu- page no. 218 and shloka no. 68)
Botanical name- Cinnamomum Tamala
Family- Lauraceae
Bay Leaves Names in different languages
- Hindi name- Dalchini, Kirkiria, Tejpata, Silkanthi, Taj kalam, Taj kalami, Kikoa, Talispatri
- English name- Indian Bay leaf, Indian cassia, Indian bark, Malabar leaf
- Punjabi name- Tejpatra
- Assamese name- Dopatti
- Kannada name- Patra, Dalchini
- Telugu name- Talisha, Akupatri, Tallishapatri, Pattaakulu
- Arabic name- Zarnab, Sazij
- Malayalam name- Pacilla
- Bengali name- Daruchini, Tejapat
- Oriya name- Tejpatra
- Marathi name- Tamalapatra, Sambarapana, Daalchinitikki
- Tulu name- Ijin
- Gujarati name- Tej, Tamal patra
- Tamil name- Talisapatri
- Esperanto name – Hinda Cinnamomo
- Finnish name – LaurieTalisapatri
- Burmese name – Thitkyabo, Thitchabo
- German name – Indisches Lorburblatt
- Japanese name – Tezipatto, Tamara-nikkei
- Danish name – Indish Laurbaerblad
- Hungarian name – Indiai baberlevel
Synonyms in the Sanskrit language
- Chandana, Twak- its bark is very useful
- Gopana, Surabhi gandha- its odor is very good
- Dala, Patra, Tamala Patra- The leaf is use
- Utkat- It is a very strong plant
- Other synonyms are- Palasha, Tapasajam, Chadanam, Vasana, Vastramamshuka, Sukumaraka, Romasha
Categorization according to classical books
- Acharya vagbhatta- Eladigana
- Madanapala Nigantu – Karpuradi varga
- Kaiyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga
- Nigantu Adarsha – Karpuradi varga
- Bhavaprakasha nighantu- Karpooradi Varga
- Raja Nighantu- Pippalyadi varga
- Priya Nigantu – Harthakyadi varga
- Dhanvantari Nighantu- Shatapushpadi varga
Morphological characteristics of Bay Leaves
Bay leaf is a small growing or medium-sized tree which grows up to the height of 20 to 30 feet. The bark of this plant is tough, thin, rough, and has a fold-over it. Its branches are evergreen, round that bears leaves throughout the year. These leaves are 4 to 7 inches long, thick, and have vein-like structures on the upper surface of them. Fruits are purple with a round shape and are single-seeded. Flowers are mainly seen in clusters and bloom in January and fruits appear from May to August.
It is found all over the globe but mainly originates in the Mediterranean region. It is also native to tropical and subtropical Himalayas, the Khasi hills, the Nilgiri hill, and the foot of Sikkim Himalayas.
Chemical constituents in Bay Leaves
Terpenes, essential oil, terpinyl acetate, sesquiterpenes, terpineol, phellandrene, eucalyptol, methyl Eugenol, geraniol, lauric acid, linalool, etc.
Varieties of the bay leaf
- Indonesian bay leaf- its leaves are aromatic and used in Indonesian cooking.
- California bay leaf- these leaves have a stronger flavor, are skinnier, and longer.
- Mediterranean bay leaf- it is used in soups stews, for flavor.
- Indian bay leaf- it is of light-medium green color, small-sized leaves with 1 large vein down the length of the leaf.
Medicinal properties of the bay leaf
- Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (Sweet), Katu (Pungent), and Tikta (Bitter)
- Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light), Rooksha (Dry), and Teekshna (Strong)
- Vipaka (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion)- Katu (Pungent)
- Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
- Karma (Action) – Kaphavata shamaka (alleviates vitiated Kapha and Vata dosha) and also Pittavardaka (Increases pitta dosha)
Medicinal uses as per Ayurveda
- Teekshna– it is strong and piercing in nature
- Laghu – it is light to digest
- Ushna- hot
- Pittavardhaka- Increases Pitta Dosha
- Kaphavatahara- Balances Kapha as well as Vata Doshas
- Mukhashodhana – cleanses oral cavity and treats oral disorders
- Aruchighana- relieves anorexia
- Arshoghana- treats piles or hemorrhoids
- Hrullasa- treats nausea
- Peenasa- works in rhinitis
- Kandu- relieves itching and pruritus
- Vishaghana- can be given in toxic conditions and poisoning
- Bastirogahara- treats urinary tract disorders
Bay leaves benefits for hair
As the bay leaf is a natural antioxidant that prevents the scalp from harmful free radicals or toxins that damage the hair. Its application over the scalp helps to control oiliness and prevents dandruff. This also provides strength to the hair follicles and boosts hair growth naturally.
Bay leaves benefits for skin
For skin, bay leaf works as a natural antiseptic and anti-bacterial that kills or stops the growth of bacteria over the skin. These leaves also keep the skin toned and remove hyperpigmentation, dark stops, and blemishes from the skin.
Bay leaves benefits for diabetes mellitus
Bay leaves help to improve insulin levels in the body by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin and maintain glucose metabolism. It also helps the sugar to move from the blood to other body tissues where energy is needed. This herb also stops sugar production in the liver.
Side effects of Bay leaf
Its sea views main cause oral ulcers and hyperacidity.
Part used- Bark, leaf, and oil
Dosage- 1 to 3 grams (powder)
2 to 5 drops (oil)
FAQs Related to Bay leaf
Can I drink Bay leaf tea every day?
Yes, you can drink bay leaf tea every day because it will keep your digestive system healthy.
Is bay Leaf poisonous?
No, bay leaf is not poisonous.
Is drinking bay leaf water is good for your health?
Yes, drinking bay leaf water is good for health because it not only works on constipation only but also treats other digestion-related issues.
Conclusion
From this article, it is concluded that bay leaves are good for hair and skin. It also shows good results in treating digestion-related issues. As per Ayurveda, it balances vata and Kapha dosha and increases pita dosha. But its excessive use may cause hyperacidity and oral ulcers.
Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to bay leaves’ benefits, dosage, and other properties. It is advised to the patients not to consume this on the basis of this information. Before taking it as a medicine, it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.
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