A good cook knows the secret to a rich and delicious soup or stew: bay leaf. The aromatic olive-green herb is credited with giving dishes a subtle intensity and depth that makes a meal memorable. Not only do bay leaves taste good, but they are also good for you.

A bay leaf has properties that are detoxifying and that can slow aging. The herb fights bacterial infections and improves everything from respiratory issues to heart health. It is a powerful herb from which everyone can benefit. Continue reading to find out the best ways to make bay leaf a part of your lifestyle.

The combination of chemicals in bay leaf produces a calming, psychedelic effect when burned. All you need to do is light a couple of dried bay leaves in the same way one would incense. As you breathe in the vapors, you will fall into a relaxed, yet alert, state of mind. The best part of burning bay leaf is that it doesn’t make you sleepy, but instead wakes you up and banishes fatigue.

Bay leaf is a stimulant for respiratory passages and can help dislodge phlegm and mucus in the lungs. The best way to heal your respiratory system with bay leaf is to inhale steam treated with a bay leaf in the form of fresh or dried leaves, or oil. You can also massage bay leaf oil onto your chest to treat allergies and asthma.

To treat dandruff, mix it with warmed jojoba oil. Massage the warm home treatment into your scalp, wrap your head in a towel and rest for 15 to 60 minutes. You can also add a few drops of bay leaf oil to your daily shampoo in order to fight dandruff.

An article jointly published by the NWFP Agricultural University in Peshawar, Pakistan, and the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center found bay leaf to be an effective treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. The study showed that consuming just 3 grams of bay leaf per day can decrease glucose levels.

Cultures from the Mediterranean to East Asia that use alternative medicine believe in the heating and healing powers of bay leaf. Bay leaf boosts the “digestive fire.” Include bay leaf in your cooking or rub bay leaf oil on your stomach after eating to promote the secretion of digestive juices, enzymes, and bile.

An organic compound found in a bay leaf called caffeic acid is known to strengthen capillary walls in the heart. It also helps eliminate bad cholesterol from the cardiovascular system. Include the herb in your cooking.