The Repurposing Life

Bay Leaf & Essential Oil Health and Beauty Benefits

The bay laurel tree is an evergreen shrub that is indigenous to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea region but nowadays is mostly cultivated in Europe. Many types of plant leaves are referred to as “bay leaves”, but the true bay laurel leaf is scientifically known as Laurus nobilis. Many other leaves have similar appearance and aroma to true bay laurel leaves, but don’t have the same nutrient content or chemical composition, which means they do not provide the same bay leaf and essential oil health and beauty benefits.

If you find that you are dissatisfied with the manufactured products available on the market, then why not make your own? You can, it’s easy peasy with this recipe for making your own bay leaf essential oil. Bay laurel leaf essential oil is derived from the bay laurel tree, through steam distillation. This essential oil is commonly confused with bay leaf (Pimenta racemosa) essential oil. Although these two essential oils share similar qualities and properties, they come from very different plants. In fact, bay leaves can come from several different plants.

1. Bay laurel leaf, also bay, bay leaf, bay leaf laurel, laurel, Grecian laurel, true laurel, sweet laurel, sweet bay, bay laurel, wreath laurel, Apollo laurel, Greek laurel and royal bay (Laurus nobilis, Lauraceae). Fresh or dried bay laurel leaves are used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and fragrance. The fresh leaves are very mild and do not develop their full flavor until several weeks after picking and drying.
2. California bay leaf, also California laurel, Oregon myrtle, and pepperwood (Umbellularia californica, Lauraceae), is similar to the Mediterranean bay laurel, but has a stronger flavor. It is the sole species in the genus Umbellularia. A large hardwood tree native to coastal forests and the Sierra foothills of California, and to coastal forests extending into Oregon. It is endemic to the California Floristic Province.
3. Indian bay leaf, tejpat, tejapatta, Malabar leaf, Indian bark, Indian cassia, or malabathrum (Cinnamomum tamala, Lauraceae) Differs from bay laurel leaves, Indian bay leaves are about twice as long and wider, usually olive green in color and have three veins running the length of the leaf. Indian bay leaves have a clove–like aroma with a hint of peppery taste similar to cinnamon (cassia) bark, but milder. It can grow up to 20 m tall. A tree native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
4. Indonesian bay leaf or Indonesian laurel (salam leaf, Syzygium polyanthum, Myrtaceae) The leaves of the plant are traditionally used as a food flavoring to meat and, less often, to vegetables. This herb has been shown to kill the spores of Bacillus cereus. Native to Indonesia, Indochina and Malaysia, a species not commonly found outside Indonesia.
5. West Indian bay leaf, Bay rum tree, the leaf of the West Indian bay tree and ciliment (Pimenta racemosa, Myrtaceae) It is used in cooking and an essential oil is distilled to produce a fragrant cologne called bay rum; is used in culinary applications (especially in Caribbean cuisine). Native to the Caribbean region.
6. Mexican bay leaf (Litsea glaucescens, Lauraceae). An evergreen tree or shrub 3–6 meters (9.8–19.7 ft.) high in the genus Litsea. Distributed by Mexico and Central America. It is native from southern North America, mostly in Mexico.

Name	Scientific Name	Origin	Benefits	Caution	Storage
Bay Laurel	Laurus nobilis	Eastern Mediterranean and the East coast of the Black Sea.	Prevents Cancer, Provides Respiratory Relief, Regulates Menstruation, Offers Pain Relief, Heals Wounds, Supports Digestive Health, Potent Insect Repellent, Promote Hair Growth, Alleviates Symptoms of Rheumatism and Arthritis, Reduces Stress and Anxiety.	Should be kept out of reach of children, should not be brought in direct contact with eyes, or mucus membranes. Should be diluted in a carrier oil and never used in its pure form. Avoid use on hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin. A patch test should be performed before applying. Best to avoid if pregnant or nursing, suffering from chronic asthma or taking high blood pressure medication.	Airtight dark glass kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Description of Bay Laurel

The bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree, variable in size and sometimes reaching 7–18 m (23–59 ft.) tall. The genus Laurus includes four accepted species, whose diagnostic key characters often overlap.

The bay laurel is dioecious (unisexual), with male and female flowers on separate plants. Each flower is pale yellow–green, about 1 cm (⅜ in) diameter, and they are borne in pairs beside a leaf. The leaves are glabrous, 6–12 cm (2–5 in) long and 2–4 cm (¾–1+⅝ in) broad, with an entire (whole) margin. On some leaves the margin undulates. The fruit is a small, shiny black berry–like drupe about 1 cm (⅜ in) long that contains one seed.

The Ecology of Bay Laurel

Laurus nobilis is a widespread relict of the laurel forests (also called laurisilva or laurissilva, a type of subtropical forest) that originally covered much of the Mediterranean Basin when the climate of the region was more humid. With the drying of the Mediterranean during the Pliocene era (in geology, the time from 5.333 million to 2.58 million years BP), the laurel forests gradually retreated, and were replaced by the more drought–tolerant sclerophyll plant communities (vegetation that is adapted to long periods of dryness and heat) familiar today.

Most of the last remaining laurel forests around the Mediterranean are believed to have disappeared approximately ten thousand years ago, although some remnants still persist in the mountains of southern Turkey, northern Syria, southern Spain, north–central Portugal, northern Morocco, the Canary Islands and in Madeira.

The Phytochemistry of Bay Laurel

The most abundant component found in bay laurel leaf essential oil is 1,8–cineole, also called eucalyptol. The leaves contain about 1.3% essential oils (ol. lauri folii), consisting of 45% eucalyptol, 12% other terpenes, 8–12% alpha–terpinyl acetate, 3–4% sesquiterpenes, 3% methyl eugenol (allylveratrol), and other α– and β–pinenes, phellandrene, linalool, geraniol, terpineol, and also contain lauric acid.

Both essential and fatty oils are present in the fruit. The fruit is pressed and water–extracted to obtain these products. The fruit contains up to 30% fatty oils and about 1% essential oils (terpenes, sesquiterpenes, alcohols and ketones). The chemical compounds laurosideB and myrcene (a monoterpene), a component of many essential oils used in perfumery, have been extracted from Laurus nobilis.

The Modern Uses of Bay Laurel

Culinary Uses

Bay laurel leaves were used for flavoring as far back as ancient Greece. The plant is the source of several popular herbs and one spice used in a wide variety of recipes of many European cuisines, particularly among Mediterranean cuisines. The bay laurel leaf is aromatic and commonly used in cooking. It can be used whole or in a dried or ground form, see our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on the uses of this spice. Most commonly, the leaves are added whole to Italian pasta sauces.

The leaves are most often used whole (in a bouquet garni, a bundle of herbs tied with string) and removed before serving (they can be abrasive in the digestive tract), unless used as a simple garnish. Whole bay laurel leaves have a long shelf life of about one year, under normal temperature and humidity. 

Whole bay laurel leaves are used almost exclusively as flavor agents during the food preparation stage. They are used in soups, stews, brines, meat, seafood, vegetable dishes and sauces. Ground bay laurel leaves, however, can be ingested safely and are often used in soups and stocks, as well as being a common addition to a Bloody Mary (cocktail). Dried laurel berries and essential oil can both be used as robust spices, and the wood can be burnt for a strong “smoke” flavoring.

Ornamental Uses

Laurus nobilis is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in regions with Mediterranean (or oceanic climates), and as a house plant or greenhouse plant in colder regions. It is used in topiary to create single erect stems with ball–shaped, box–shaped or twisted crowns; also for low hedges. However it is slow–growing and may take several years to reach the desired height. Together with a gold form, L. nobilis “Aurea” and a willow–leaved form L. nobilis f. angustifolia, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society‘s (RHS) Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

One of the most important pests affecting ornamental laurels is caused by Trioza alacris (Triozidae, one of seven families collectively referred to as “jumping plant lice”), which induces the curling and thickening of the edge of the leaves for the development of the insect’s nymphs (juvenile), eventually creating a decaying gall (swelling or growth). The species is also affected by Coccus hesperidum (soft scale insect in the family Coccidae, an agricultural pest, particularly of citrus and commercial crops).

Insect Repellent Uses

Bay laurel leaves can also be used scattered in a pantry to repel meal moths (of the family Pyralidae, its larvae are pests of stored foods, namely milled plant products), flies, and cockroaches. In a 2011 study Mediouni–Ben Jemaa and Tersim found the essential oil to be usable as an insect repellent.

Entomology Uses

Bay laurel leaves have been used in entomology as the active ingredient in “killing jars”. The crushed, fresh, young leaves are put into the jar under a layer of paper. The vapors they release kill insects slowly but effectively and keep the specimens relaxed and easy to mount. The leaves discourage the growth of molds.

They are not effective for killing large beetles and similar specimens, but insects that have been killed in a cyanide killing jar can be transferred to a laurel jar to await mounting. There is confusion in the literature about whether Laurus nobilis (bay laurel) is a source of cyanide to any practical extent.

As a source of cyanide, bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is often confused with the unrelated cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), which contains dangerous concentrations of cyanogenic glycocides together with the enzymes to generate hydrogen cyanide when the leaf is physically damaged. However, there is no evidence that cyanide is relevant to the value of bay laurel leaves in killing jars.

Secular Uses

Bay laurel leaves are used in Eastern Orthodoxy liturgy, one of the three main branches of Christianity alongside Catholicism and Protestantism. Its theology and practices are similar to those of the early Church. To mark Jesus’ destruction of Hades and freeing of the dead, parishioners throw bay laurel leaves and flowers into the air, letting them flutter to the ground.

Other Modern Uses

Bay laurel leaf essential oil is a secondary ingredient, and the distinguishing fragrant characteristic of Aleppo soap. This soap is a handmade, hard bar soap associated with the city of Aleppo, Syria. Aleppo soap is a hard soap made from olive oil and lye, though classified as a Castile soap, it is distinguished by the inclusion of bay laurel leaf essential oil.

The History of Bay Laurel

Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks considered it to be a potent medicine capable of protecting them against the plague and other diseases. Bay laurel was valued for its anti–inflammatory and analgesic properties and used for insect stings. In ancient Greece, the plant was called “daphne”, after the mythic mountain (naiad) nymph, Daphne. In the myth of “Apollo and Daphne”, the god Apollo fell in love with Daphne, a priestess of Gaia (Mother Earth), and when he tried to seduce her she pleaded for help to Gaia, who transported her to the Island of Crete.

In Daphne’s place Gaia left a laurel tree, from which Apollo fashioned wreaths to console himself. Other versions of the myth, including that of the Roman poet Ovid (Pūblius Ovidius Nāsō), state that Daphne was transformed directly into a laurel tree.

Bay laurel leaves were used to fashion the laurel wreaths of ancient Greece, a symbol of highest status. A wreath of bay laurels was given as the prize at the Pythian Games (one of the four Panhellenic Games) because the games were in honor of Apollo, and the laurel was one of his symbols. Recipients of laurel wreath were kings, priests, prophets, scholars, poets, athletes and soldiers.

According to the Syrian poet Lucian (Lucian of Samosata), the priestess of Apollo, the Oracle of Delphi known as “the Pythia”, reputedly chewed laurel leaves from a sacred tree growing inside the temple (at Delphi) to induce the enthusiasmos (trance) from which she uttered the oracular prophecies for which she was famous. Some accounts starting in the 4^th Century BC describe her as shaking a laurel branch while delivering her prophecies. Those who received promising omens from the Pythia were crowned with laurel wreaths as a symbol of Apollo’s favor.

Ancient Rome

This symbolism carried over to Roman culture, which held the laurel as a symbol of victory. It was also associated with immortality, ritual purification, prosperity and health. It is also the source of the words baccalaureate (Bachelor’s degree) and poet laureate, as well as the expressions “assume the laurel” and “resting on one’s laurels”.

The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder stated that for “profane” uses, such as lighting it on fire at altars, the laurel was strictly forbidden. He also listed a variety of conditions which bay laurel leaf essential oil was supposed to treat: paralysis, spasms, sciatica, bruises, headaches, catarrhs (congestion), ear infections and rheumatism.

Laurel was closely associated with Roman Emperors, beginning with Augustus (Caesar Augustus, also known as Octavian, the first Roman emperor). Two Laurel trees flanked the entrance to Augustus’ house on the Palatine Hill in Rome, which itself was connected to the Temple of Apollo Palatinus, which Augustus had built. Thus, the laurels had the dual purpose of advertising Augustus’ victory in the Civil Wars and his close association with Apollo. 

Suetonius (Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus) relates the story of Augustus’ wife, and Rome’s first Empress, Livia (Livia Drusilla, empress from 27 BC to AD 14), who planted a sprig of laurel on the grounds of her villa at Prima Porta after an eagle dropped a hen with the sprig clutched in its beak onto her lap. The sprig grew into a full–size tree which fostered an entire grove of laurel trees, which were in turn added to by subsequent Emperors when they celebrated a Roman “triumph” (a civil ceremony and religious rite held to publicly celebrate the success of a military victory in service of Rome).

The Emperors in the Julio–Claudian dynasty (comprised the first five Roman emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero) all sourced their laurel wreaths from the original tree planted by Livia. It was taken as an omen of the impending end of the Julio–Claudian dynasty that in the reign of Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, the fifth Roman emperor) the entire grove died, shortly before he was assassinated. Rome’s second Emperor Tiberius (Tiberius Caesar Augustus, reigned from AD 14–37) wore wreaths of laurel whenever there was stormy weather because it was widely believed that laurel trees were immune to lightning strikes, affording protection to those who brandished it. 

One reason for this belief is because laurel does not burn easily and crackles loudly when on fire. It led ancient Romans to believe the plant was inhabited by a fire demon, and was therefore “immune” from external threats like fire or lightning. In modern day Italy laurel wreaths are worn as a crown by graduating school students.

Ancient to Modern East Asia

An early Chinese etiological myth (origin myth) for the phases of the moon involved a great forest or tree which quickly grew and lost its leaves and flowers every month. After the Sui (AD 581–618) and Tang (AD 618–907) dynasties, this was sometimes connected to a woodsman named Wu Gang, sentenced to cut a self–repairing tree as punishment.

The tree was originally identified as a 桂 (guì) and described as the osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans, now known in Chinese as the 桂花 or “gui flower“), whose blossoms are still used to flavor wine (Cassia wine, osmanthus wine, or Kuei Hua Chen Chiew) and confections for the Mid–Autumn Festival (also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival). However, in English, it is associated with the well–known cassia (Cinnamomum cassia, known in Chinese as the 肉桂 or “meat gui“), while in modern Chinese it has become associated with the Mediterranean bay laurel.

By the Qing dynasty (1636–1912), the chengyu (a type of idiomatic expression consisting of four characters) “pluck osmanthus in the Toad Palace (or Lunar pareidolia, the pareidolic images seen on the face of the Moon),” 蟾宫折桂 (Chángōng zhé guì) an expression which meant passing the imperial examinations (or the keju, a civil–service examination system), which were held around the time of the Moon Festival. The similar association in Europe of laurels with victory and success led to its translation into Chinese as the 月桂 or “Moon gui“.

Middle to Modern Finland

The laurel leaves in the coat of arms of the municipality of Kaskinen (Kaskö), Finland may have been meant to refer to local flowering, but its origin may also be in the name of the family Bladh (blad, or “leaf”); two members of the family—a father and a son—who, at the time, acquired both town rights and the status of “staple town” for the village of Kaskinen located in the province of Western Finland that is part of the Ostrobothnia region.

The Beauty Benefits of Bay Leaf & Essential Oil

Antioxidants and flavonoids in bay laurel leaves protect hair and scalp from oxidative damage, provide nourishment, and reduce premature greying of hair, split ends, dryness and other signs of aging. Bay laurel leaves restore moisture and strength to the hair follicles, preventing hair loss. The beta–carotene and protein present in bay laurel leaves improve hair thickness and strength. Bay laurel leaves benefit the hair shaft as they contain vitamin B⁶, an essential nutrient for the hair as it prevents hair loss and hair damage. Boiling bay laurel leaves in water and rinsing the hair with the infusion once cool is said to be very good at preventing hair loss.

Bay laurel leaf essential oil is as effective for hair growth as rosemary essential oil. It can promote hair growth when applied regularly. This essential oil penetrates the scalp and hair shaft, improving blood circulation, enhancing the overall health of the scalp and stimulating growth. The aroma of this essential oil repels insects, so it is sometimes used to repel lice. Bay laurel leaf essential oil is thought to boost hair growth and prevent hair loss. Because it is an astringent, it helps to tighten hair follicles and roots. It helps to moisturize the scalp, preventing dandruff and flaky, itchy scalp.

Bay laurel leaves protect skin from oxidative damage, which slows the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Bay laurel leaf essential oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—nutrients that are well–suited for skin care. In a 2017 study bay laurel leaf essential oil’s anti–inflammatory and antimicrobial activities helped fight off bacterial strains—namely Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), Bacillus cereus (food–borne bacteria), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (common bacteria)—which are spread through contact.

Bay laurel leaves are beneficial in oral hygiene for keeping teeth healthy and white. Brushing with a mixture of dried bay laurel leaves and orange peel mixed with water can be used for teeth whitening.

The Health Benefits of Bay Leaf & Essential Oil

Bay laurel leaves are currently available fresh or dried. Many health food stores also sell them in powdered form. Bay laurel leaves contain vitamins, minerals and plant–based chemical compounds that protect our body from oxidative stress and are capable of fighting off bacteria, promoting diuresis, managing diabetes, improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, respiratory problems and optimizing digestion.

Documented properties of bay laurel leaf for aromatherapy include analgesic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, antineuralgic, antioxidant, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, hepatic, hypotensor, insect repellent, laxative, nervine, sedative, stimulant and stomachic.

Bay laurel leaf essential oil has a long history of use as a pain reliever for arthritic aches and pains, lower back pain, earaches, and sore muscles and sprains. This essential oil should be used in moderation, as it can be overpowering and cause drowsiness. Bay laurel leaf is a warming essential oil that promotes circulation and perspiration, is also calming and helps reduce stress. If you’re interested in greater detail, read this PDF on the Bay Leaf & Essential Oil Health and Beauty Benefits. The most common health benefits attributed to bay laurel leaf, tea and essential oil are discussed below.

Therapeutic Uses of Bay Leaf & Essential Oil

Bay laurel leaves contain an essential oil whose main components are 1,8–cineole and eugenol. The essential oil also contains iron and calcium, and riboflavin, niacin and vitamin A. The essential oil obtained from the fruit of Laurus nobilis was traditionally used for the treatment of osteoarticular (manifestations, affecting or related to bones and joints) of inflammatory diseases and pediculosis (lice).

In herbal medicine, aqueous extracts (tinctures) of bay laurel have been used as an astringent (a chemical that shrinks or constricts) and salve for open wounds. Bay laurel leaf essential oil is one of the most popular natural oils used in massage.

More recently it is believed that this essential oil can foster relaxation and stress relief, so it is also used in aromatherapy. Since it has antiseptic, antibiotic and pain relieving properties, a folk remedy for rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and stinging nettle is a poultice soaked in boiled bay laurel leaves.

1. Respiratory Relief: Diffuse bay laurel leaf essential oil in a diffuser or vaporizer and inhale the aroma. Alternatively, make a steam inhalation by adding a few drops of the essential oil into a bowl of hot, steaming water and inhale the vapors. Mix it in combination with eucalyptus essential oil for optimum results.
2. For Cold and Flu Symptoms: Steep 2– 3 bay laurel leaves in hot water for about 10 minutes then soak a cloth in the water and spread it on your chest.
3. To Lower A Fever: Boil 2–3 bay laurel leaves in 200 ml of water until about ¼ liquid remains, then drink the infusion.
4. To Regulate Menstruation: Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil (such as grape seed, jojoba or rosehip) in a 1:1 ratio and gently massage onto the abdominal area for pain relief and to stimulate menstruation.
5. For Pain Relief: Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil and gently massage onto the affected areas. Alternatively, add a few drops of the essential oil to a warm compress and press gently onto the affected areas.
6. To Accelerate Wound Healing: Apply diluted bay laurel leaf essential oil onto the affected areas using a cotton swab, but be careful to avoid applying it to open wounds.
7. For Digestive Health: Gently massage diluted bay laurel leaf essential oil onto the abdominal area to aid in digestion.
8. For Indigestion and Bloating: Boil 5 g of bay laurel leaves with a piece of ginger in 200 ml water until ¼ liquid remains then drink this twice a day (add some honey if preferred).
9. To Lower Bad Cholesterol: Wash 10–15 bay laurel leaves and boil in 3 cups of water until 1 cup of liquid remains. Allow to cool, strain and drink this routinely every night.
10. For High Blood Pressure: Boil 7–10 fresh bay laurel leaves in 3 cups of water until 1 cup of liquid remains. Allow to cool, strain and drink this twice a day.
11. To Manage Type II Diabetes: Grind dry bay laurel leaves into powder, add to food and eat for 30 days for maximum results, which may result in a reduction in blood sugar levels.
12. To Manage Type II Diabetes: Boil 7–15 bay laurel leaves in 3 cups of water until only 1 cup of liquid remains. Allow to cool, strain and drink this before meals. Practice this method twice a day.
13. For Healthy Heart or Anxiety: Boil 3 g bay laurel leaves combined with 3–4 g wild rose flowers and 300 ml water until 75 ml of liquid remains. Drink this infusion.
14. For Weight Loss. Wash 20–30 bay laurel leaves and boil in 4 cups of water until only 2 cups of liquid remain. Allow to cool, strain and drink this twice a day, one glass the morning and the other in the evening.
15. For Stomach Ulcers: Wash 15–20 fresh bay laurel leaves. Boil with ½ liter of water for 15 minutes. Add sufficient palm sugar. After it has cooled, drink the infusion as an herbal tea. Do this until the pain abates.
16. For a Potent Insect Repellent: Diffuse bay laurel leaf essential oil with your diffuser or vaporizer. Alternatively, a few drops of the essential oil can be added to a spray bottle containing water, shake well to mix and spray it over surfaces and cracks to deter insects. 
17. For Eradicating Head Lice: Boil 50 g bay laurel leaves in about 400 ml water until only 100 ml of liquid remains, and then apply the mixture onto hair roots. After 3–4 hours, rinse hair with water. Optional, add some Bhringraj oil blend to the boiling mixture to make your hair darker, healthier and shinier.
18. For Hair Growth: Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and apply onto the scalp and hair. Rinse off after a few minutes. 
19. To Treat Dandruff: Steep some bay laurel leaves in hot water for about 10 minutes then rub the mixture on the scalp after shampooing.
20. To Tame Frizzy Hair: Boil bay laurel leaves in water to make an infusion. Let it cool, and use it as a hair rinse after shampooing and conditioning the hair.
21. To Deep Condition Hair: Boil some bay laurel leaves in coconut oil for few minutes, then let mixture come to room temperature. Once cooled, gently massage this mixture on hair and scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes, then shampoo as usual. Use regularly for best results. 
22. Anti–Aging Facial: Boil 5 dried bay laurel leaves in 2 cups of water for about 2 minutes then pour the water into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel over the steam until you feel your skin sweat, 3–5 minutes.
23. For Fairer Skin: Boil bay laurel leaves in water. Allow to cool, strain and use the residual mixture as a facial rinse. This solution also helps accelerate the drying of pimples and clearing of acne.
24. Improve Appearance of Cellulite: Dilute 4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil and massage mixture onto affected areas. Do this daily until you notice a change in the appearance.
25. For A Deodorizing Bath: Place some powdered bay laurel leaves in an old stocking, secure the open end, and toss it in a tub filled with warm water. Soak for 15 minutes for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bay Leaves Be Eaten Raw

Yes, bay laurel leaves can be eaten raw as long as you are not allergic to them. Eating bay laurel leaves in the morning improves digestion and relieves digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation and gas. Frying bay laurel leaves with a little oil amplifies their flavor and aroma. 

Can Bay Leaves Be Eaten During Pregnancy

In general, bay laurel leaves are safe to be eaten during pregnancy and provide benefits such as regulating blood sugar, improving cardiovascular health and as an antimicrobial agent. However, to be on the safe side, always consult with your physician before ingesting bay laurel leaves during pregnancy.

Are There Benefits to Eating Bay Leaves on an Empty Stomach

Eating bay laurel leaves on an empty stomach can provide benefits such as improving digestive health, reducing symptoms of nausea and morning sickness during pregnancy, aiding in weight loss, burning excess fat, lowering bad cholesterol and regulating blood sugar.

Are Bay Leaves Safe for Kids

Bay laurel leaves can be beneficial for children as they are loaded with nutrients such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, B, C and E. These nutrients provide benefits such as improved gastrointestinal health, eye health, supporting liver function and enhanced immunity.

How Many Bay Leaves Can I Eat Daily

As long as you are not allergic, it is safe to ingest 6–8 bay laurel leaves per day. If you suffer from any health condition and take medication for it, consult with your physician before adding bay laurel leaves to your diet. Pregnant and nursing women should consult with their physician before adding bay laurel leaves to their diet. 

Nutritional Content of Bay Laurel Leaves

Principle	Value	% of RDA
Energy	313 Kcal	15.5%
Carbohydrates	74.97g	57%
Protein	7.61g	13%
Total Fat	8.36g	29%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	26.3g	69%
Vitamins
Folates	180mcg	45%
Niacin	2.005mg	12.5%
Pyridoxine	1.740mg	133%
Riboflavin	0.421mg	32%
Vitamin A	6185IU	206%
Vitamin C	46.5mg	77.5%
Electrolytes
Sodium	23mg	1.5%
Potassium	529mg	11%
Minerals
Calcium	834mg	83%
Copper	0.416mg	46%
Iron	43mg	537%
Magnesium	120mg	30%
Manganese	8.167mg	355%
Phosphorus	113mg	16%
Selenium	2.8mcg	5%
Zinc	3.70mg	33%

Precautions

Bay laurel leaf essential oil, when used in aromatherapy, is often combined with other essential oils such as rose, rosemary, thyme, lavender, ylang–ylang, juniper berry, coriander, ginger and eucalyptus.

When using bay laurel leaf essential oil topically, it is important to dilute it with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and perform a skin patch test first to ensure no allergic reactions. It is also recommended to use a maximum concentration of 3% when applying it topically, since it is known to cause skin irritations like eczema and contact dermatitis, and irritation to the mucus membranes due to its high concentration of eugenol. Avoid use on hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin.

If pregnant or nursing, it is best to avoid using this essential oil since it stimulates menstruation, so it could possibly cause a miscarriage. Do not use on children under 2 years of age.

For external use only. Do not ingest bay laurel leaf essential oil and if you have pre–existing medical conditions and using prescription drugs, please consult your physician or health care provider to ensure no unwanted drug interactions.

Constipation

Bay laurel leaves can be hard to digest, which can result in constipation. This side effect usually only happens with excessive consumption of bay laurel leaves or if combining the use of bay laurel leaves with blood pressure medication. To prevent this problem, avoid use of bay laurel leaves if taking blood pressure medication. Otherwise, cut back on the amount of bay laurel leaves, and add them to your food. A good rule of thumb is, for every one portion of vegetables, use only 1 bay laurel leaf.

Upper Respiratory

The eugenol compound in bay laurel leaves have been found to have an adverse effect on some asthma patients. This side effect usually happens or is compounded by the excessive consumption of bay laurel leaves. It is advisable for asthma sufferers to avoid the use of bay laurel leaves, or to consult their physician first to ensure safety.

Possible Poison Hazard

Some members of the laurel family, as well as the unrelated but visually similar mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia, calico–bush, or spoonwood, a flowering plant in the heath family Ericaceae, native to the eastern U.S. Its range stretches from southern Maine south to northern Florida, and west to Indiana and Louisiana) and cherry laurel, also known as common laurel and sometimes English laurel in North America (Prunus laurocerasus, an evergreen species of cherry, native to regions bordering the Black Sea in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, from Albania and Bulgaria east through Turkey to the Caucasus Mountains and northern Iran), have leaves that are poisonous to humans and livestock. Ensure that you consume true bay laurel leaves derived from the laurel tree and no other varieties.

While these plants are not sold anywhere for culinary use, their visual similarity to bay laurel leaves has led to the often repeated belief that bay laurel leaves should be removed from food after cooking because they are poisonous. This is not true; bay laurel 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 choking. 

Canadian Food and Drug Regulations

The Canadian government requires that the bay laurel leaves contain no more than 4.5% total ash material, with a maximum of 0.5% of which is insoluble in hydrochloric acid. To be considered dried, they have to contain 7% moisture or less. The essential oil content cannot be less than 1 milliliter per 100 grams of the spice.

Sources:
Bay leaf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_leaf
Laurus nobilis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurus_nobilis
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https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Laurus+nobilis