According to Food Science & Nutrition Magazine, bay leaves are great for the digestive system and help to remove toxins from the body. Here are some ways to add bay leaves to your diet.
- Add bay leaves to soups and stews: Add 2 to 3 bay leaves while cooking to add extra richness to the dish.
- Braised meat: Use bay leaves when cooking meat dishes.
- Rice and cereals: Add bay leaves to rice and cereals for aroma.
- Vegetable dishes: Steam or roast vegetables with bay leaves for added flavor.
- Make bay leaf tea: Soak 2 to 3 bay leaves in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Digestive tea: Combine bay leaves with mint, ginger and chamomile.
- Spices: For a Mediterranean spice blend, mix bay leaves with oregano, thyme and rosemary. For an Indian curry, mix bay leaves with turmeric, cumin and coriander.
