Laurel Remedies to Improve your Respiratory Health
Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), is a plant that belongs to the lauraceae family. It’s made up of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It also contains vitamin C and minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, among others). All these nutrients mean it has medicinal as well as culinary uses. This is why numerous home remedies can be made with laurel.
The plant has been used for thousands of years to relieve various discomforts, from gas to indigestion.
Its leaves are said to help stimulate the appetite. For this reason, it’s sometimes used in certain phytotherapy treatments for people who need to gain weight. Specifically, the leaves are used to prepare infusions to be consumed before meals.
According to experts from the Spanish Nutrition Foundation, “a very aromatic substance can be extracted from the fruit, which looks like a small black olive; the extract consists of pinene and cineole, ingredients used in pharmacology”.
In addition to being used as a digestive, its medicinal properties have also been used to alleviate certain respiratory problems.
Inhale Laurel Vapor to Relieve Flu, Congestion, and Mucous
Laurel vapors can help with congestion by helping to expel mucus. The moisture is what brings relief. However, some people believe other compounds in laurel leaves also contribute to the effect.
Consequently, one of the most popular laurel remedies are these aromatic vapors that are prepared either with the leaves of the plant or with the essential oil.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water (500 ml)
- 6 laurel leaves or 5 drops of laurel oil
Preparation
- Boil the 2 glasses of water. When it reaches its boiling point, remove it from the heat. Add the 6 laurel leaves or 5 drops of laurel essential oil.
- Pour the hot water into a bowl.
- Cover your head with a towel and place your face near the bowl (at a safe distance). Inhale the laurel vapor.
- Repeat as often as necessary to obtain relief.
Homemade Laurel Cough Syrup
According to popular belief, another effective laurel remedy is syrup to treat a dry cough. You can make it yourself and it’s very easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cup of water (250 ml)
- 6 laurel leaves
- 6 tablespoons of brown sugar (90 g)
- The juice of 1 lemon
Preparation
- First, take a pot and add the 2 cups of water and the laurel leaves. Let it boil for 15 minutes.
- Once the leaves are cooked, strain the water and let it cool.
- Pour the liquid into a bowl and add 6 tablespoons of brown sugar and the lemon juice.
- Finally, after mixing everything, the homemade syrup will be ready. Keep it in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge for 7 days. Take if when you feel a cough or flu discomfort.
- Talk to your doctor before using these types of home remedies, as they may cause interactions with certain medications and foods.
Laurel Leaf Compresses
You can prepare an infusion with laurel leaves to make your own compresses. These can help relieve occasional mild discomfort.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water (500 ml)
- 3 fresh laurel leaves
Preparation
- First, in a pot, heat 2 cups of water until it starts to boil.
- Next, add the fresh laurel leaves to the boiling water and let them steep for a few minutes.
- Then, soak a cloth with the tea and place it as a compress on your chest.
- Another option is to soak the laurel leaves in hot water and place them directly on your chest.
- Finally, cover your chest with the towel and heat the leaves again every time they cool.
Check out: 5 Natural Remedies for Chest Congestion
Laurel Oil
It’s said that the aroma of laurel oil can help provide relief from various ailments such as flus and colds. Its strong smell will allow you to breathe better.
When preparing the laurel oil, it’s important to use a clean glass jar to store the oil until it runs out.
Ingredients
- 4 or 5 laurel leaves
- 2 cups of sweet almond oil (500 ml)
Preparation
- First, put the laurel leaves in the bowl and add the sweet almond oil. It’s important to be sure the leaves are clean.
- Seal it tightly. Then, let the oil soak for 40 days.
- Finally, once you have the laurel oil, you can use it when you feel sinus pressure or want to improve your breathing. This remedy is simple and effective.
Do you need to talk to a doctor about laurel remedies?
Before starting to use home remedies made with laurel, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor. Otherwise, you risk interactions with other foods or medicines and adverse reactions.
In addition, it’s important to remember that home remedies, no matter how popular, should never replace treatment prescribed by a doctor, as this can cause complications. However, if your doctor gives the ok, you can use them as a complement to a healthy lifestyle.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Nayak, S., Nalabothu, P., Sandiford, S., Bhogadi, V., Adogwa, A. (2006). Evaluation of wound healing activity of Allamanda cathartica. L. and Laurus nobilis. L. extracts on rats. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 6(12)
- Fittall, K. (2014). Herbs that heal. Good Health, 80-81
