Bay Leaf

Overview

Bay leaf is an herb that is commonly used in cooking. The leaves and oil are also used to make medicine.

People use bay leaf for diabetes, cancer, stomach problems, pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Bay leaf can also be unsafe if the entire leaf is taken by mouth.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Herb

Primary Functions:

Diabetes, cancer, stomach problems

Also Known As:

Bay, Bay Laurel, Bay Tree, Daphne, Grecian Laurel, Laurel, Laurel Común

How Does It Work?

There isn't enough information about bay leaf to know how it might work.

Uses

  • Diabetes. Early research shows that taking ground bay leaf twice daily along with medicine for diabetes can lower pre-meal blood sugar levels. It also seems to improve cholesterol levels. But higher quality research is needed to confirm these results.
  • Cancer.
  • Gas.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Stimulating bile flow.
  • Causing sweating.
  • Dandruff, when applied to the skin.
  • Joint and muscle pain (rheumatism), when applied to the skin.
  • Boils, when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.

Recommended Dosing

The appropriate dose of bay leaf depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for bay leaf. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Bay Leaf Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

Do bay leaves have medicinal properties?

Bay leaf is an herb that is commonly used in cooking. The leaves and oil are also used to make medicine. People use bay leaf for diabetes, cancer, stomach problems, pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

What bay leaves good for?

Some of the most widely known benefits are:

  • Bay leavesare a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
  • They have been proven to be useful in the treatment of migraines.
  • Bay Leafcontains enzymes that help to breakdown proteins and digest food faster, helping to calm indigestion.

Are bay leaves antiviral?

Bay leaves have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective and analgesic properties. The antiviral properties of bay leaf were determined by antiviral inhibition assay. Laurus nobilis extract was also used in antioxidant activity test. Major compounds of bay leaf plant were used in docking study.

Is it safe to drink bay leaf tea?

Bay leaf and ground bay leaf are likely safe when consumed in amounts typically found in food. It is also possibly safe when taken medicinally for short periods of time. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to know the effects of bay leaves if higher doses are consumed or if it is used long-term.

Does bay leaves reduce cholesterol?

The active in vitro component of bay leaves is water soluble [3, 7] and is likely not a component of the total oil. In summary, bay leaves reduced serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increased HDL cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Does bay leaf help you sleep?

According to Lifehacker, bay leaves help in relaxing your body. They're effective in dealing with insomnia as they calm down your brain's functioning. Just mix a few drops of bay leaf essence with water and drink this before bedtime for a good night's sleep.

Do bay leaves really do anything?

Typically added to slow-cooking dishes from massaman curry to duck confit, bay leaves emit a more palatable gradation of flavor the longer they simmer. While a bay leaf isn't as powerful as a much-needed pinch of salt or squeeze of lemon, it is not as inconsequential as some adamantly believe.

Does bay leaf tea lower blood pressure?

A hot cup of bay leaf tea is comforting—almost like aromatherapy. Older folks in the Caribbean believe that bay leaf tea can lower your blood pressure, aid with digestive problems, and even get rid of headaches.

Does bay leaf lower blood pressure?

Bay leaf is one alternative of traditional medicine for lowering blood pressure. This is indicated by a decrease in blood pressure by an average of 149.87 mmHg / 87.87 mmHg before administration stew bay leaves, fell to 143.33 mmHg /81.33 mmHg with p-value 0.002 systole and diastole p-value 0.002.

Is bay leaf tea good for your kidneys?

Turning a New Leaf on How to Treat Kidney Stones

A 2014 study investigated whether bay leaf extract could help prevent kidney stones. The study found that, along with eight other traditional medicinal herbs, bay leaf was able to reduce the amount of urease in your body.

Do bay leaves repel bugs?

Years ago, in the midst of a moth infestation, we read that bay leaves repel pantry insects. Everyone from beetles to weevils, moths, cockroaches, ants, and flies is said to hate the herb's fragrance. The leaves can be placed in containers of flour, rice, and other dry goods, or taped inside cupboards and shelves.

Are bay leaves expensive?

The flavor also intensifies. Fresh bay leaves are often much more expensive and do not last as long as dried bay leaves.

Can you drink bay leaf tea every day?

Insufficient Evidence for

Early research shows that taking ground bay leaf twice daily along with medicine for diabetes can lower pre-meal blood sugar levels. It also seems to improve cholesterol levels.

Are bay leaves poisonous?

This is not true; bay leaves may be eaten without toxic effect. However, they remain unpleasantly stiff even after thorough cooking, and if swallowed whole or in large pieces, they may pose a risk of harming the digestive tract or causing choking.

What are the side effects of bay leaves?

Possible Side Effects

Bay leaves should not be consumed whole. The leaf remains intact and cannot be digested. It may become lodged in the throat or cause damage to the intestinal tract.

Why should you not eat bay leaves?

This is not true; bay leaves may be eaten without toxic effect. However, they remain unpleasantly stiff even after thorough cooking, and if swallowed whole or in large pieces, they may pose a risk of harming the digestive tract or causing choking.

Is bay leaf tea good for cholesterol?

Early research shows that taking ground bay leaf twice daily along with medicine for diabetes can lower pre-meal blood sugar levels. It also seems to improve cholesterol levels. But higher quality research is needed to confirm these results.

Are bay leaves hallucinogenic?

On Bay as Aphrodisiac and Hallucinogenic

I've also heard it said that Ancient Greek priestesses chewed bay leaves in order to induce a hallucinogenic effect.

What should you put under your pillow to sleep?

This one's inspired by a popular old wives' tale that suggests that putting an unpeeled garlic clove underneath your pillow at night can help you to both fall and stay asleep.

Is bay leaf good for diabetes?

In summary, this study demonstrates that consumption of bay leaves, 1 to 3 g/d for 30 days, decreases risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and suggests that bay leaves may be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

What does bay leaf do for spaghetti sauce?

Bay leaf is typically used to season long-cooking dishes like soups, stews, and braises, but it can also enhance the flavor of quicker-cooking dishes like risotto, pasta sauce, or even a simple pot of rice. The key is to have at least a little liquid for the bay to infuse and heat to get the process going.

Do bay leaves change fat?

There were no significant changes in the placebo group (Table 4). Bay leaves also reduced serum triglycerides (Table 5). One and 2 g doses of bay leaves reduced triglycerides 33 and 25%, respectively, after 30 days.

What can I use instead of bay leaves?

Bay Leaf Substitute

  • Best Bay Leaf Best bets: Thyme or Oregano. ...
  • Juniper Berries.
  • Buy Better Bay Leaves.

Clinical Studies

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