From fresh air to fresh food, leaves have always proven to be the most important. Since we were kids, we have been taught the importance of trees. What do trees give us? Leaves! And these leaves give us so many things in return. Life would be impossible without them.
Here is a list of 10 uses of leaves that you can apply to your daily life.
1. They provide food.
It is a well-known fact that leaves are the source of food. This is where you get your leafy greens from.
- They contain all kinds of nutrients that are vital for your body. Chewing some specific leaves has proven to be good for your immunity. If chewed on an empty stomach, Curry leaves and bay leaves can resolve your digestive issues.
- Leave one bay leaf in a glass of water overnight, drink it in the morning, and chew it along with it. Doing this every day can improve your digestive tract.
- Spinach, broccoli and more; do not leave them behind. Make them your best friends and add them to your meal every day.
2. They make good manure.
Dried leaves and wet leaves can be used for making manure. All you need to do is:
- Rake the leaves on your lawn and create a compost pit.
- Dig a hole in your backyard or garden and dump the leaves
- Add some scraps from your kitchen, like vegetable peels, to speed up the decomposition process.
- You can buy a composting pot if you do not have a garden.
3. Leaves can be used to make mulch.
In your garden or balcony, leaves can be appealing natural mulch. In addition to suppressing weeds, they eventually decay and enrich the soil. There are two kinds of mulch – organic and inorganic mulch. Organic mulch can be shredded leaves and grass clippings, and inorganic mulch can be gravel or stone.
4. Leaves can be used as medicine.
From ancient times, leaves have been used to tend wounds because they have healing properties. Many leaves, including those of aloe, vinca, and digitalis, are excellent sources of medicine, and Aloe leaves contain moisturising characteristics that treat dry skin.
5. Leaves can be used as a natural dye.
If you’re looking for organic dye and do not want synthetic ones, you can use leaves to do the colouring. Here is a list of plants you can choose from:
- Amur Maple
- Fennel Leaves
- Bay Leaves
- Curry Leaves
- Indigo Leaves
- Eucalyptus
- Sassafras
6. Leaves can be used to create scented oils
Leaves of lemon grass, eucalyptus, kanuka, manuka, myrtle and more create unique scents. Crushing them and refining them into oils can be beneficial for you. It can be used at your house for aroma or as body oil for massages.
7. Leaves can be used as insecticides.
- Extracts of neem can be used as a natural insecticide, better than chemicals harming the environment and the air.
- The bug-fighting plants can be used to evade any insect that can cause damage to your plants. The leaves can act as a threat to these bugs.
8. Leaves can be used as utensils.
Many cultures use leaves as plates for eating. In southern India, people use banana leaves, spread them like plates, and eat their meals. Many cultures use this technique because it is eco-friendly and doesn’t harm the environment.
9. Leaves give clean air.
Well, this is a well-known fact that leaves give clean air. Keeping plants in your home is effective as you will get clean air and are believed to provide your house with positive energy.
10. Leaves can evade mosquitoes.
Leaves can help in getting rid of mosquitoes. Rosemary and basil leaves have proven effective and, naturally, keep mosquitoes away. So, if you have trouble with all the ‘buzzing’ around, you know what leaves can help eliminate that. You can also try lemon grass for this purpose, and it will keep your environment safe from mosquitoes and leave a sweet aroma!
Conclusion
Leaves are so important, and one cannot think about their life without them. Not only do they help us, but they also help in keeping the environment safe. Leaves only come from plants and trees, so protecting them is necessary.
Note: Ask your doctor before eating/applying anything on yourself. This blog is for information purposes.
Also, Read Sounds To Scare Away Possums.
