Indian Laurel

Litsea glutinosa

Uses

In most regions of Asia, especially the Philippines, Litsea glutinosa is a common therapeutic herb. Like most of the medicinal herbs found in Asia, all the parts of the Indian laurel can be used for therapeutic purposes. Different parts of this herb possess different therapeutic properties and, hence, are used for different curative purposes. In spite of this feature of the plant, the leaves of the Indian laurel are the most extensively used part. The leaves of this herb are used in an assortment of ways for curing various ailments and health conditions. The easiest as well as the most common means of using the leaves of the Indian laurel for therapeutic purposes is to boil them or prepare a decoction with them and use the formulation for treating diarrhea and dysentery. In addition, extremely potent decoctions made from the leaves of this herb can be used in the form of a natural astringent to treat skin disorders/ problems, such as in the form of an antiseptic for trivial cuts, bruises and wounds. This potent decoction can also be employed for treating intestinal parasites. The decoction can be used independently or combined with a decoction made from the guava plant leaves. A less potent decoction or an infusion prepared from fresh or dried leaves of the Indian laurel can also be used for alleviating the symptoms related to nausea caused by menses. It can also be used to provide relief from vomiting. Aside from the above mentioned therapeutic uses of the Indian laurel leaves, they may also be used in the form of a natural antimicrobial agent, usually together with the other parts of the plant, for instance the roots and bark, which also possess astringent properties. The leaves can also be used to make a poultice and used for treating minor bruises and sprains. However, it is thought that the leaves are more effectual when they are mixed with the roots of the herb in equal proportions. Less potent decoctions made from the Indian laurel leaves may also be employed to suppress nocturnal discharges in young boys. This decoction can also be taken internally in the form of a tea to treat insomnia and neurosis (also known as psychoneurosis). However, it is worth mentioning here that the ability of the Indian laurel leaf decoction to treat neurosis is not backed by any scientific evidence. Fresh leaves of the Indian laurel yield a juice when crushed. This juice can be used for treating sore eyes as well as conjunctivitis. However, it is important to sterilize the leaves as well as the juice extracted from them before applying the latter to the eyes to ensure its effectiveness in curing the problem. The leaf extracts possess antiseptic and antimicrobial properties and they are often used in herbal shampoos as an ingredient. It is said that applying such herbal shampoos helps to prevent hair loss as well as premature greying. In fact, this claim is backed by the fact that traditional herbal medicine in Malaysia and the Philippines uses decoctions prepared from the leaves of the Indian laurel to rinse hair as well as to combat dandruff and put off hair loss. The bark of Litsea glutinosa is used for different purposes in different countries in Asia. Usually, the bark of the Indian laurel is used to make a decoction, which taken internally in the form of a tea to treat diarrhea. On the other hand, a paste prepared with the bark and any suitable oil (generally avocado, coconut or sesame oil is used for this purpose) and applied directly to open wounds in the form of an antiseptic as well as to accelerate the healing process. In fact, this practice is most widespread in Ayurveda, India's ancient medical system. An extremely potent decoction prepared from the bark of this tree is often used in the form of an antiseptic. It is especially applied to sores, open wounds and scabies. Alternatively, one may also drink this potent decoction for treating common intestinal problems. People of many cultures are of the belief that drinking the decoction prepared with the bark of this tree may also be effective as an aphrodisiac. It is interesting to note that this property of the bark's decoction is just the opposite of the decoction prepared from the tree's leaves. The decoction prepared from the Indian laurel's leaves actually helps to suppress one's libido or sexual craving. You can also use the roots of Litsea glutinosa for therapeutic purpose. They can be used in the form of an emmenagogue (a medicine that promotes menstrual discharge) or as a poultice to cure common aches and pains, bruises and sprains. When employed as a poultice, the roots may be used individually or along with the leaves of the herb. In addition, the seeds of this herb also have therapeutic properties and you can prepare a paste with the seeds and use it for curing boils. Alternatively, you may crush the Indian laurel plant's seeds with a view to extract the oils enclosed by them. These oils can be used in the form of an essential oil and also as an ingredient to make astringents and soaps. A decoction prepared from the bark of the Indian laurel is used to treat intestinal catarrh. People in Singapore pound the seeds of Litsea glutinosa and apply them to boils. The leaves of the herb are used in the form of a poultice in the Dutch Indies, while people in Bangladesh use the leaves for curing dysentery and diarrhea. In addition, the leaves are used for treating neurosis and insomnia. The oil extracted from the berries is employed to treat rheumatism. The bark of the Indian laurel tree is used for alleviating pain as well as enhancing sexual power. It is also employed in the form of an astringent. Pounded fresh bark of the tree is also directly applied to bruises and wounds. Alternatively, the dried bark is pulverized into a powder and a paste is prepared from it. This paste is applied as plaster to broken hands and legs. The leaves of the tree are used in the form of an emmenagogue, while the roots are employed for treating rheumatism. In the Western Ghats of India, people extract the aromatic oil of Litsea glutinosa seeds and use it for treating rheumatic pain.