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Herb

Bay Leaf

84/100
RemedyRank score

An aromatic cooking leaf, simmered into food or tea, traditionally used to aid digestion and support steady blood sugar.

📊 How it ranks (our editor score) — 84/100Tap to see the breakdown
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🌱 What it is

Bay leaf comes from the bay laurel tree and is simmered whole into soups, stews, and sauces for its deep, savory aroma, then removed before serving.

✨ Why it's good for you

  • May help support comfortable digestion
  • May help support steady, balanced blood sugar
  • May help support a warm, settled stomach after eating
  • May help support the flavor and enjoyment of simple meals

🥗 Nutrition

Per 1 leaf, crumbled (0.6 g) · about 2 calories

  • Vitamin A
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Vitamin C

Source: USDA FoodData Central

🥄 How to use it

Add a bay leaf or two while simmering soups and stews, or steep a crushed leaf in hot water for 10 minutes as a teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →; remove the whole leaf before eating.

How much: 1–2 leaves while cooking, or a crushed leaf steeped as teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →.

Show full details & how to prepare it

The bay leaf perfumes soups, stews, and sauces, and it has a gentle traditional use for easing digestionHow your body breaks food down into pieces small enough to use for energy. More → and, more recently studied, for supporting steady blood sugar. A crushed leaf makes an aromatic teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →.

Ways to prepare it

In cooking: Simmer one or two bay leaves in soups and stews, removing the whole leaves before serving.
Bay tea: Steep a crushed bay leaf in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes, strain well, and sip after a meal.

⚠️ Cautions

  • Always remove whole bay leaves before eating — they stay sharp and stiff and can cut or lodge in the throat.
  • Food amounts are gentle; avoid large medicinal doses in pregnancy.
  • May lower blood sugar — keep to culinary amounts with diabetes medication.

📚 What others say

  • A traditional culinary herb for digestion
  • Studied for gently supporting blood sugar

Learn more

🕊️ A word of encouragement

A single leaf quietly deepens the whole pot. Small, steady additions enrich a life.

💬 Ask Remy about Bay Leaf

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📚 Resource confidence

Based on mentions in health references

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