Herb
Bay Leaf
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
🌱 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.
📜 Where it comes from
Bay leaf comes from the laurel tree, sacred to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who crowned victors with laurel wreaths and used the leaf in cooking and medicine alike. Greco-Roman physicians noted its digestive uses, and it has remained a staple aromatic in European and Mediterranean stews and soups ever since, always removed before the dish is served.
✨ 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 →.
Why it works: Herbalists attribute bay leaf's digestive benefits to its aromatic oils, and researchers studying blood sugar point to plant compounds that may support how the body processes sugar.
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
⚠️ 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.
📚 Learn more
🌿 Deeper natural detail
🩺 The conventional view
💬 Ask Remy about Bay Leaf
📚 Resource confidence
Based on mentions in health references
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