5 Possible Uses for the Bay Leaf

Culinary Uses of Bay Leaf

Bay leaf is a standard cooking ingredient in many savory dishes. Though available fresh, it’s typically easier to find bay leaves dried. They are used to flavor soups, stews, and sauces — just remove them prior to serving because they have a bitter taste.

Health Benefits of Bay Leaf

Culinary uses aside, researchers have also looked into bay leaf for its potential health benefits. This herb, Laurus nobilis, comes from the evergreen bay laurel family, native to the Mediterranean. The two most common types are Turkish, with long oval leaves, and Californian, with long narrow leaves.

Anticancer Properties

Some studies suggest that bay leaf may help inhibit the growth of breast and colorectal cancer cells. However, those findings are preliminary and some of the research is outdated. To confirm this theory, more studies including humans need to be completed (1, 2, 3).

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Diabetes Management

According to a 2008 study, taking capsules that contain 1–3 grams of bay leaf daily can help lower and manage glucose levels and cholesterol levels in people with diabetes. This is most likely because bay leaves contain polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. This promising information indicates that bay leaf could help regulate and even prevent diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases (4). However, it should be noted that some evidence suggests it might interfere with blood sugar control. Always speak with a health professional before using it for that purpose — especially if you have diabetes (4).

Inflammation Reduction

Bay leaf has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation in the wound area. In older experiments conducted on rats, scientists found that bay leaf had the ability to assist with wound healing (5).

Kidney Stone Prevention

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. Urease is an enzyme that, when out of balance, can lead several gastric disorders, including kidney stones. However, the scientists conducting the study suggested that more research should be done to understand how these herbs function (6).

Memory Improvement

In a 2021 study, researchers exposed rats to bay leaf for 5 minutes in a smoking chamber apparatus once per day for 22 days. They found that it aided in memory formation and improved cognitive deficits (7). While animal studies aren’t always applicable to humans, they can offer insight that may lead to human studies.

Conclusion

Bay leaf is often used in recipes to provide a savory boost of flavor in soups and stews. It has also been used throughout history for its potential health benefits. Researchers have conducted studies that may uncover ways that it can help improve health. However, ultimately, more research including humans is needed.

FAQs

Q: What are the potential health benefits of bay leaf?
A: Bay leaf may help inhibit the growth of breast and colorectal cancer cells, manage glucose levels and cholesterol levels in people with diabetes, reduce inflammation in the wound area, prevent kidney stones, and improve memory formation.

Q: How can I use bay leaf in my cooking?
A: Bay leaf is commonly used in soups, stews, and sauces. Simply remove it prior to serving as it has a bitter taste.

Q: Is bay leaf safe to consume?
A: Bay leaf is generally considered safe to consume. However, it’s recommended to consult with a health professional before using it for medicinal purposes, especially if you have diabetes.

Q: Can I grow my own bay leaf?
A: Yes, bay leaf is a perennial herb that can be grown in a warm and sunny climate. It’s also available in most supermarkets and health food stores.