Vanilla is mainly for flavoring desserts and for making excellent creams. The aroma is given by the presence of vanillin with antioxidant properties which helps maintain a young organism by counteracting the action of free radicals. It is also useful for fighting stress and defeating insomnia.
Laurel is also called "Laurel" or "Poets' Tree", it has been known for centuries in cooking and herbal medicine. Its dried leaves are used both to flavor dishes and as an infusion. An infusion based on bay leaves helps digestion: it avoids annoying fermentations, fights stomach discomfort and loss of appetite. Very useful in the kitchen for flavoring potatoes, stews and second courses such as white meat stew.
