Bay Leaf & Cinnamon tea

So we are about 18 months into our small candle & soap business and have wanted to expand more and more into offering natural, herbal products with the aim of having natural products for the home, the body outside on the skin and inside for cleansing.

As we have a garden full of herbs and plants we thought how could we use what we have growing in our garden and utilise it for natural health benefits.. So we thought of TEA !!!

So without further ado let us introduce you to our first tea Bay leaf & Cinnamon Tea

The bay leaf is an aromatic leaf used primarily for cooking. It can be used in ground form or whole. One of the most potent ways of enjoying the bay leaf is making tea out of it. The health benefits you get from doing this are pretty amazing. Preparing this tea is just like preparing any other tea.

It is said that a hot cup of bay leaf tea is more like aromatherapy. The fragrant leaves aid in spicing the tea and give you a taste that leaves you wanting more.

Health Benefit of the Bay Leaf Tea

The bay leaf tea has a whole range of health benefits. Let’s look at some of them!

• Improves digestion

A cup of bay leaf tea has a strong effect on the gastrointestinal system; it reduces the level of toxicity in the body and acts as a substance that causes vomiting when something toxic has entered into the body.

It may also interest you to know that the organic compound build-up found in bay leaves are also potent in settling serious cases of stomach upset and irritable bowel syndrome.

• Perfect for insomnia

Bay leaf, the major component of the bay leaf tea, has sedative properties that help with insomnia.

• Promotes a healthy heart

The bay leaf tea has phytochemicals that protect the heart against diseases like heart attack and stroke. It also has caffeic acids that improve the functionality of the heart; it also has rutin, which strengthens the capillary walls of the heart. Boiling the bay leaf with water and drinking can help prevent heart disease.

• Reduces stress

You might not know it, but the bay leaf tea contains linalool which is commonly associated with oregano and thyme. It is also known for having a relaxing effect that helps reduce stress levels, especially when used in aromatherapy.

It’s a good idea to adopt the habit of taking a cup of bay leaf tea to calm down when feeling stressed.

• Helps in treating diabetes

The bay leaf has the tendency to reduce levels of cholesterol and glucose in the blood. Polyphenol also happens to be the most effective component in the bay leaf tea for diabetes as it helps to control glucose in the blood.

A cup of bay leaf tea, therefore, is very potent in managing type 2 diabetes. More so the antioxidants in the leaf also help insulin to function effectively and efficiently.

• Fights cancer

Bay leaf contains a combination of antioxidants and organic compounds, as well as catechins, Linalool and phytonutrients that help fight off free radicals.

• Potent pain reliever

A cup of bay leaf tea is quite effective in alleviating the pain of sprain strain and arthritis and it also helps in fighting inflammation. It is an amazing way to cure headaches and migraines. It also helps in increasing blood circulation.

• Strengthens the immune system

Bay leaf contains vitamins A and C and also zinc, which helps to strengthen the immune system. They also increase the ability of the white blood cells to fight off invaders.

Bay Leaf Tea Side Effects

The bay leaf does indeed have some amazing health benefits no doubt, but there are some side effects to be aware of.

Here are some of the side effects of consuming bay leaf tea.

• Blood sugar control

Although consuming bay leaf tea helps in lowering blood sugar levels, there have been complaints of the leaf doing otherwise. Consult your doctor if you are already on medications for high blood sugar issues.

• Pregnancy and most likely breastfeeding

There isn’t much thorough research on how bay leaf tea affects pregnancy, but as they say, prevention is better than the cure. Please be on the safe side and avoid consuming the bay leaf tea when you are pregnant.

• Surgical problems

The bay leaf tends to slow down the central nervous system, meaning that problems can arise during surgery when anesthesia is administered. It is therefore advisable to avoid consuming the bay leaf tea for a couple of weeks before undergoing surgery.

The bay leaf is a household item with numerous health benefits. There are tons of arguments for its usefulness; this, coupled with the incredible ease of preparation, makes it a great habit to get into. Make a piping hot cup of bay leaf today and start feeling those effects!

Facts About Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice we all take for granted.

From food and drink to medicine, cinnamon is a very versatile and ancient product – with some claiming civilizations using it over 4,000 years ago.

Cinnamon can be used for an array of illnesses and is by far one of my favorite sweet flavorings in the world.

• Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant that aids in controlling blood sugar.

Cinnamon is actually a natural anti-inflammatory acting as this by blocking the release of arachidonic acid a fatty acid that causes inflammation. This arachidonic acid can also cause blood clotting.

• Helps with weight loss

It burns stubborn fat and increases metabolism, which helps to reduce weight.

• Cinnamon is high in fiber and calcium which helps improve colon health.

• Cinnamon also contains other minerals such as iron and magnesium.

Cinnamon is supposedly helpful in the fight against degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s as it activates protective proteins that help stop mutation and damage to cells.

Cinnamon and bay leaf tea key benefits at a glance

1. Helps in weight loss

2. Promotes a healthy heart

3. Improves digestion

4. Controls blood sugar

5. Reduces inflammation

6. May help in cancer treatment

7. Lowers stress levels

8. Boosts the immune system

9. Treatment for migraines

10. Improves hair quality

11. May help reduce menstrual tension

To prepare the tea, you will need the following bay leaf ingredient.

• 2 large bay leaves

• 2 cups of water

• 1 Cinnamon stick

• Honey for sweet taste (Optional)

Directions

First, carefully add the 2 bay leaves and 1 cinnamon stick to a pot and pour water into it.

Allow boiling for at least three minutes over high heat.

Remove the pot from the stove and allow the tea to steep for a little while (like 4 minutes), strain, add a teaspoon of honey for a sweeter taste.

Sit back, relax drink & Enjoy !!!!!