Bay leaves Health Dictionary

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Bay Leaves: From 1 Different Sources

Sweet Bay. Victor’s laurel. Laurus nobilis L. Held in high esteem as a medicine and prophylactic by the ancient Greeks. French: Laurier franc. German: Edler Lorbeerbaum. Spanish: Lauro. Italian: Lauro franco. Young stems and old leaves yield highest content of oil.

Action: antiseptic, antifungal, gastric tonic, nutritive, mild sedative. Oil has mild bactericidal and anti- fungal properties. Anti-dandruff, Carminative, Cholagogue, Vermifuge.

Uses: Weak digestion, poor appetite; hot and soothing to a ‘cold’ stomach. Urinary infections (decoction). Chest infections (berries). Rheumatic pains (seed oil, externally).

Reportedly used in cancer. (J.L. Hartwell, Lloydia, 32, 247, 1969)

Boosts insulin activity. (American Health, 1989, Nov 8, p96)

Preparations: Average dose: 2-4 grams. Thrice daily.

Decoction. 1oz crushed leaves to 1 pint water simmered down to three-quarters of its volume. Dose. Half a cup thrice daily.

Bay bath. Place crushed leaves in a small muslin bag and steep in hot water.

Diet: taken as a culinary herb with potatoes, salads, soups, etc. A source of oleic acid and linoleic acid.

Contact dermatitis may sometimes occur as an allergy on handling the oil. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia

Blackberry Leaves

Picked, dried in the sun and infused with boiling water, blackberry leaves are the essence of most berry-flavored teas. Studies suggest that the leaves contain a healthy dose of flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant activity.... blackberry leaves

Coca Leaves

Health Inca tea. Peruvian tea. Bolivian tea. Erythroxylum coca, Lam. Leaves. Leaves contain a minimal amount of cocaine.

A traditional remedy to prevent fatigue, to elevate mood, assuage hunger, increase pulse rate, stimulate the brain and nerves, and to enable great feats of endurance to be performed. Not on open sale; its use is discouraged. South Americans have been drinking coca leaf tea for hundreds of years apparently with no ill-effects and possibly some medical benefits. Natives drink 1-2 cups or more daily, as infused from decocainised leaves. Medical use: to assist withdrawal from cocaine addiction. Local anaesthetic. CD. (Misuse of Drugs Act 1973) ... coca leaves

Mango Leaves

Part used: leaves. Contains Mangiferin. Action: anti-viral.

Uses: Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). ... mango leaves

Olive Leaves

Olea europea L. Other names: see OLIVE.

Action: hypoglycaemic, hypotensive, diuretic, antispasmodic (mild), astringent diuretic, febrifuge, vulnerary, vasodilator, cholagogue.

Uses: To dilate coronary arteries and improve circulation of blood through the heart. Moderately high blood pressure. Infection of the urinary tract. Nephritis. To lower blood sugar – diabetes. To facilitate passage of gall-stones.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tea. 20-30g in 500ml (1 pint) boiling water; infuse 20 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup.

Decoction. 50-60g in 500ml water, gently simmer 10 minutes; stand 20 minutes. Dose:quarter to half a cup.

Powder, capsules: 210mg, 2 capsules. (Arkocaps) ... olive leaves


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