For men: it just might be in your aftershave. If your aftershave has rum in it, that is.

Ladies? This spicy herb gives that hard-to-describe zing to your food.

The good part: you can find this herb in a whole lot of stores, throughout the world. It’s that common.

The even better part: it effectively aids insulin production, promotes healthy digestion, and improves heart function.

How much more could you ask for?

Already in ancient Rome and Greece, bay leaves had an honorable reputation. Kings, poets and athletes were crowned with woven wreathes of bay leaf branches.

However, uses of the powerful plant were not just symbolical. Bay leaves were used to cure numerous illnesses and health conditions.

Finally, recent studies confirm amazing health effects of bay leaves, especially when it comes to treating Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

A study conducted by a team of researchers from Zarqa University in Jordan revealed a significant decline in plasma glucose levels in all study participants who were asked to consume bay leaves for a period of least 3 weeks.

Amazingly, the total cholesterol and dangerous triglyceride levels also dropped drastically, compared to the placebo group where there were no changes in plasma, cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Another study, published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition proves the amazing health benefits of bay leaves.

In this study participants suffering from type 2 diabetes were given a dose of 1 to 3 grams of ground bay leaf every day. All study participants had a significant reduction in their blood glucose, triglyceride levels, and total cholesterol.

Another (but not less important) quality of bay leaf is its ability to boost heart health and prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart-related conditions.

Researchers explain that the power of the bay leaf lies in the unique phytonutrients this plant contains.

They also found out that bay leaves contain:

• Powerful phytonutrients that strengthen the heart and fights cardiovascular diseases.
• Unique enzymes that aid healthy digestion by breaking down proteins.
• Newly discovered compounds that destroy cancer cells.
• Antioxidants that improve insulin absorption in type 2 diabetes patients.

However, be very cautious when choosing varieties of bay leaf because there are several types of the plant. The one that has true medicinal properties is the plant called Laurus nobilis.

According to the experts, the other types of bay leaf have no medicinal properties and can even be toxic. For example, Kalmia latifolia and leaves of California laurel or commonly called “California bay leaves” (Umbellularia californica) are not recommended for extensive use.

Luckily, true bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) are widely available in most health food stores and supermarkets. Just remember always read the labels and ingredient list. You can also order it online.

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