Bay Leaves and Salt: A Mix Worth Gold! My Grandma Taught Me How to Use It
In a world full of synthetic products and overcomplicated recipes, sometimes the simplest remedies and ingredients turn out to be the most powerful. One such magical duo my grandmother swore by is a humble combination of bay leaves and salt. Though it might sound like something you’d only use in cooking, this mix has a range of surprising uses—from culinary to medicinal to spiritual. Here’s everything I learned from my grandma about why bay leaves and salt are worth their weight in gold.
1. A Natural Air Purifier
My grandma would often place a small bowl of salt with crushed bay leaves in the corners of rooms. When I asked her why, she told me it cleans the air and removes “bad energy.” Later, I learned that both salt and bay leaves have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Salt absorbs moisture and odors, while bay leaves release aromatic oils that act as a natural air freshener.
Try this: Mix a handful of sea salt with 2-3 crushed bay leaves in a small dish and place it in any room you want to freshen up.
2. A Kitchen Guardian
Aside from seasoning soups and stews, my grandma believed this combo protected the kitchen from pests and negativity. Bay leaves are a natural insect repellent. When mixed with salt and placed near windows or pantry corners, it helped keep ants and bugs away.
Tip: Add whole bay leaves to your dry grains (like rice or flour) along with a teaspoon of salt to keep weevils at bay.
3. Spiritual Cleansing and Protection
In folk traditions, bay leaves symbolize protection, clarity, and purification. Salt has been used for centuries to ward off negativity. My grandmother would burn a bay leaf, sprinkle some salt at the doorway, and say a little prayer whenever we felt uneasy at home.
Ritual: Write your worries or bad habits on a bay leaf, burn it in a safe dish, and sprinkle a pinch of salt into the ashes to symbolize letting go.
4. Pain Relief and Relaxation
Bay leaf contains eugenol, which has anti-inflammatory effects. My grandma would make a salt and bay leaf soak for sore feet or aching joints.
Recipe: Boil a few bay leaves in water, mix the strained water with a cup of Epsom salt, and soak your feet or use it in a bath for deep relaxation.
5. Flavor and Health in the Kitchen
On the culinary side, this pair is a flavor powerhouse. Salt enhances taste, and bay leaves add depth and a subtle earthy aroma to dishes. But beyond taste, bay leaves help with digestion, reduce bloating, and support respiratory health.
Pro Tip: Add 1-2 bay leaves with a pinch of salt to any simmering broth, soup, or stew and let it infuse for 15-20 minutes. Remove before serving.
6. A Symbol of Old Wisdom
Most importantly, the bay leaves and salt combo reminds me of my grandmother’s wisdom. It’s about going back to basics, using what nature gives us, and treating everyday ingredients with respect. Sometimes, healing doesn’t come from a pharmacy—it comes from your pantry.
Final Thoughts
The next time you pass by bay leaves and salt in your kitchen, remember: they’re more than just seasoning. They’re tradition, protection, flavor, and medicine—all wrapped in one. Just like my grandma said, “If you’ve got bay leaves and salt, you’ve got a little bit of gold.”
