{"id":53069,"date":"2026-10-26T13:45:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T13:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=53069"},"modified":"2026-10-26T14:58:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T14:58:52","slug":"bay-leaf-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Bay leaf benefits: what research says about bay leaves"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Key_takeaways\" >Key takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#What_are_the_health_benefits_of_bay_leaves\" >What are the health benefits of bay leaves?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Antioxidant_compounds\" >Antioxidant compounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Essential_oils\" >Essential oils<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#What_compounds_are_found_in_bay_leaves\" >What compounds are found in bay leaves?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Does_consuming_bay_leaf_have_added_health_benefits\" >Does consuming bay leaf have added health benefits?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Can_bay_leaves_help_with_digestion_blood_sugar_or_heart_health\" >Can bay leaves help with digestion, blood sugar, or heart health?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Can_bay_leaves_help_with_respiratory_problems_sleep_or_stress\" >Can bay leaves help with respiratory problems, sleep, or stress?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Can_bay_leaves_help_with_skin_or_hair_health\" >Can bay leaves help with skin or hair health?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#What_organ_is_a_bay_leaf_good_for\" >What organ is a bay leaf good for?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#What_are_the_side_effects_of_bay_leaves\" >What are the side effects of bay leaves?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Who_should_avoid_bay_leaves_or_take_precautions_when_using_them\" >Who should avoid bay leaves or take precautions when using them?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#How_do_you_make_bay_leaf_tea\" >How do you make bay leaf tea?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Can_I_drink_bay_leaf_tea_every_day\" >Can I drink bay leaf tea every day?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#How_do_you_use_bay_leaves_in_cooking\" >How do you use bay leaves in cooking?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#What_does_putting_a_bay_leaf_in_your_sock_do\" >What does putting a bay leaf in your sock do?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#Is_bay_leaf_good_for_weight_loss\" >Is bay leaf good for weight loss?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#How_many_bay_leaves_should_you_use\" >How many bay leaves should you use?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#What_is_bay_leaf_nutrition_like\" >What is bay leaf nutrition like?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#The_bottom_line\" >The bottom line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><em>Bay leaf benefits in people are not well proven. One small trial in adults with type 2 diabetes reported lower blood sugar and cholesterol with ground bay leaf. Most other claims come from lab or animal studies. Bay leaves are a culinary ingredient used for flavor; remove whole leaves before serving.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This guide covers the research, how to use bay leaves, how to make bay leaf tea, and possible side effects. You may also like our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/star-anise-benefits\/\">star anise benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_takeaways\"><\/span><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These points summarize what is known about bay leaves.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bay leaves come from the bay laurel tree, Laurus nobilis, native to the Mediterranean.<\/li>\n<li>A 30-day study included 40 adults with type 2 diabetes. Those taking 1 to 3 g of ground bay leaf daily had lower blood sugar and cholesterol (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2613499\/\">1<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>A review describes antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds in bay leaves, mostly from lab research (<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/nutritiontodayonline\/Fulltext\/2021\/07000\/Bay_Leaf__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/336037536_Bay_Leaves_have_Antimicrobial_and_Antioxidant_Activities\">3<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>Animal research on bay leaf aroma and memory does not show the same effect in people (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3921\/10\/2\/259\">4<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>Bay leaf tea is popular, but its health effects have not been tested in good human trials.<\/li>\n<li>Whole bay leaves should be removed before eating because they are hard to chew and digest.<\/li>\n<li>Ask a doctor before using bay leaf supplements if you take diabetes medicine or are pregnant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_health_benefits_of_bay_leaves\"><\/span><strong>What are the health benefits of bay leaves?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The potential health benefits of bay leaves relate to blood sugar, cholesterol, and antioxidant activity. Human evidence is limited to small studies. Treat these as purported benefits that need more research. Animal research on bay leaf aroma and memory does not show the same effect in people (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3921\/10\/2\/259\">4<\/a>).<\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;text-align:center;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p><strong>Possible benefit<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p><strong>Type of evidence<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p><strong>Strength<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Lower blood sugar levels<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>One small human trial<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Weak<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Improved cholesterol<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Same small human trial<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Weak<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Antioxidant activity<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Lab studies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Very weak for health outcomes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Antimicrobial activity<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Lab studies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Very weak for health outcomes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Memory support<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Animal study<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"white-space:normal;text-align:center;\">\n<p>Not shown in people<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Antioxidant_compounds\"><\/span><strong>Antioxidant compounds<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Bay leaves contain polyphenols and essential oils that act as antioxidants in lab tests (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/336037536_Bay_Leaves_have_Antimicrobial_and_Antioxidant_Activities\">3<\/a>). Lab results do not show that bay leaves lower free radicals in the body.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Essential_oils\"><\/span><strong>Essential oils<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Bay leaf essential oil contains compounds such as eucalyptol and linalool. Linalool is studied for calming effects, mainly in animals (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9886818\/\">5<\/a>). The amount in a cup of bay leaf tea is small.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Can_You_Drink_Tea_While_Fasting\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37557 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4750.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4750.png 1344w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4750-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4750.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4750.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_compounds_are_found_in_bay_leaves\"><\/span><strong>What compounds are found in bay leaves?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Compounds found in bay leaves include essential oils such as eucalyptol, linalool, and eugenol, plus polyphenols (<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/nutritiontodayonline\/Fulltext\/2021\/07000\/Bay_Leaf__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx\">2<\/a>). These give the aroma of bay leaf and its antioxidant properties in lab tests. The evergreen bay laurel, also known as bay or sweet bay, has many uses in cooking.<\/p>\n<p>The essential oil of bay leaf, sometimes sold as laurel leaf oil, is concentrated. Studies of leaf essential oil of Laurus nobilis and of an extract of bay leaf are mostly lab-based. A bay leaf extract is far stronger than one bay leaf in a pot of soup.<\/p>\n<p>Fresh leaves contain more volatile oils than dried ones. The properties of bay leaves also change with storage and cooking time.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_consuming_bay_leaf_have_added_health_benefits\"><\/span><strong>Does consuming bay leaf have added health benefits?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Consuming bay leaf may have health benefits, but the human data are thin. In the diabetes study, participants took ground leaves for 30 days (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2613499\/\">1<\/a>). Incorporating bay leaves into cooking adds flavor, while any added health benefits remain uncertain.<\/p>\n<p>The use of bay leaf as a medicine is traditional, not proven. Bay leaf also has potential side effects in large amounts, covered below.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_bay_leaves_help_with_digestion_blood_sugar_or_heart_health\"><\/span><strong>Can bay leaves help with digestion, blood sugar, or heart health?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Bay leaves may have small effects on blood sugar and cholesterol, but evidence for digestion is weak. A 30-day trial included 40 adults with type 2 diabetes. Those taking 1 to 3 g of ground bay leaf daily had lower glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2613499\/\">1<\/a>). The study was small and short.<\/p>\n<p>Traditional uses include easing indigestion and gas. Good human trials on digestion are lacking (<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/nutritiontodayonline\/Fulltext\/2021\/07000\/Bay_Leaf__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx\">2<\/a>). Bay leaves do not replace diabetes or heart medicines.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you wish to cinch your waist, tone up your bat wings, blast away the muffin top \u2013 our fitness app was created to cater to all your needs! <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=10_Plus_Surprising_Bay_Leaf_Benefits\">BetterMe won\u2019t give excess weight a chance<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_bay_leaves_help_with_respiratory_problems_sleep_or_stress\"><\/span><strong>Can bay leaves help with respiratory problems, sleep, or stress?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There is no good human evidence that bay leaves help respiratory problems, sleep, or stress. Some people use bay leaf steam or aromatherapy for comfort. Seek medical care for a lasting cough, breathing problems, or ongoing sleep or mood concerns.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Can_You_Drink_Tea_While_Fasting\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-41456 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5698.png\" alt=\"can you drink tea while fasting\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5698.png 1152w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5698-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5698.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5698.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_bay_leaves_help_with_skin_or_hair_health\"><\/span><strong>Can bay leaves help with skin or hair health?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Bay leaves have not been shown to improve skin or hair in human studies. Lab tests show antimicrobial activity, but that does not prove benefits for acne, dandruff, or hair growth (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/336037536_Bay_Leaves_have_Antimicrobial_and_Antioxidant_Activities\">3<\/a>). Bay leaf oil can irritate skin. These lab findings do not support using it as a home skin treatment.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=10_Plus_Surprising_Bay_Leaf_Benefits\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37546 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5130.png\" alt=\"keto friendly tea\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5130.png 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5130-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5130.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5130.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5130-1636x920.png 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_organ_is_a_bay_leaf_good_for\"><\/span><strong>What organ is a bay leaf good for?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No organ has been proven to benefit from bay leaves. Small human data relate to blood sugar and blood fats, which involve the pancreas, liver, and heart (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2613499\/\">1<\/a>). These findings need confirmation in larger studies.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_side_effects_of_bay_leaves\"><\/span><strong>What are the side effects of bay leaves?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The main side effect of bay leaves is choking or gut harm from swallowing a whole leaf. Extracts and supplements are more concentrated than cooking amounts. Allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, are uncommon but possible (<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/nutritiontodayonline\/Fulltext\/2021\/07000\/Bay_Leaf__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx\">2<\/a>).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Whole leaves can scratch the throat or digestive tract.<\/li>\n<li>Bay leaf oil may irritate the skin.<\/li>\n<li>Supplement doses may lower blood sugar, especially with diabetes medicine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Do not confuse sweet bay with California bay leaf, which is a different, stronger plant.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=10_Plus_Surprising_Bay_Leaf_Benefits\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-41452 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5700.png\" alt=\"sencha tea\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5700.png 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5700-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5700.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5700.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Frame-5700-1636x920.png 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_should_avoid_bay_leaves_or_take_precautions_when_using_them\"><\/span><strong>Who should avoid bay leaves or take precautions when using them?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>People who are pregnant or breastfeeding are usually advised to avoid bay leaf supplements and medicinal amounts. Cooking amounts do not show how supplement doses affect the body. Large doses of bay leaf during pregnancy have not been studied.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>People with diabetes using glucose-lowering medicines<\/li>\n<li>People scheduled for surgery, because of possible blood sugar effects<\/li>\n<li>People with allergies to plants in the laurel family<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stop using bay leaf products and speak with a doctor if you notice a reaction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019ve mustered up the courage to crush your weight loss goal, let Betterme take the sting out of this demanding process. <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=10_Plus_Surprising_Bay_Leaf_Benefits\">Our app will help you<\/a> restructure your habits, remold your life and crank up your fitness results!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_make_bay_leaf_tea\"><\/span><strong>How do you make bay leaf tea?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To make bay leaf tea, simmer 2 or 3 dried leaves in water for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain out the leaves before drinking.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Rinse 2 or 3 dried or fresh bay leaves.<\/li>\n<li>Bring 1 cup of water to a boil.<\/li>\n<li>Add the leaves and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Strain and let the tea cool slightly.<\/li>\n<li>Add lemon or a little honey if you like.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Drinking bay leaf tea is mainly about flavor and warmth. Benefits of bay leaf tea have not been confirmed in human trials.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=10_Plus_Surprising_Bay_Leaf_Benefits\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37544 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5132.png\" alt=\"loose leaf tea vs tea bags\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5132.png 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5132-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5132.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5132.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Frame-5132-1636x920.png 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_drink_bay_leaf_tea_every_day\"><\/span><strong>Can I drink bay leaf tea every day?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There is not enough evidence to recommend daily bay leaf tea or establish a suitable long-term amount. Check with a doctor if you take medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_use_bay_leaves_in_cooking\"><\/span><strong>How do you use bay leaves in cooking?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Use 1 or 2 whole dried bay leaves in soups, stews, sauces, beans, or rice. Remove them before serving. Ground bay leaf can season rubs and marinades in small amounts.<\/p>\n<p>Fresh bay leaves have a stronger aroma than dried leaves. Dried leaves are used in cooking more often because they keep longer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=10_Plus_Surprising_Bay_Leaf_Benefits\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-33365 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4729.png\" alt=\"can you drink tea while fasting\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4729.png 1344w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4729-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4729.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4729.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_putting_a_bay_leaf_in_your_sock_do\"><\/span><strong>What does putting a bay leaf in your sock do?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Putting a bay leaf in your sock is a folk practice with no scientific evidence behind it. Claims that it improves sleep, energy, or luck have not been tested. There is no research reason to recommend this practice, and it should not replace medical care.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=10_Plus_Surprising_Bay_Leaf_Benefits\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a>\n<style>.entry-content h1,.entry-content h2,.entry-content > h3{text-align:center;}.entry-content li h3{text-align:left;}<\/style>\n<style id=\"faq-title-center\">.entry-content h2:has(#Frequently_Asked_Questions){text-align:center;}<\/style>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_bay_leaf_good_for_weight_loss\"><\/span><strong>Is bay leaf good for weight loss?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no evidence that bay leaves cause weight loss. They add flavor to meals without adding calories.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_bay_leaves_should_you_use\"><\/span><strong>How many bay leaves should you use?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use 1 or 2 leaves for a pot of soup or stew. For tea, 2 or 3 leaves per cup is common.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_bay_leaf_nutrition_like\"><\/span><strong>What is bay leaf nutrition like?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bay leaves are used in tiny amounts, so they add very few calories or nutrients to a meal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_bottom_line\"><\/span><strong>The bottom line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Bay leaf benefits remain uncertain. One small study reported changes in blood sugar and cholesterol. Bay leaves are not a proven treatment, and tea or cooking amounts were not tested. Use bay leaves to flavor food and remove whole leaves before eating. Talk to a doctor before using bay leaf supplements, especially if you take diabetes medicine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bay leaf benefits in people are not well proven. One small trial in adults with type 2 diabetes reported lower blood sugar and cholesterol with ground bay leaf. Most other claims come from lab or animal studies. Bay leaves are a culinary ingredient used for flavor; remove whole leaves before serving. This guide covers the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":94772,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[131],"tags":[],"coauthors":[117],"class_list":["post-53069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-eating"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Bay leaf benefits: uses, tea, and side effects<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn which bay leaf benefits research supports, how to make bay leaf tea, cooking uses, possible side effects, and who should avoid them.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bay leaf benefits: what research says about bay leaves\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn which bay leaf benefits research supports, how to make bay leaf tea, cooking uses, possible side effects, and who should avoid them.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-26T14:58:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1586\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"992\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"ZindzyGracia\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/089b3999a34dbeeb66dd7f667de8e48d\"},\"headline\":\"Bay leaf benefits: what research says about bay leaves\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-26T14:58:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1421,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Healthy Eating\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<p><em>Bay leaf benefits in people are not well proven. One small trial in adults with type 2 diabetes reported lower blood sugar and cholesterol with ground bay leaf. Most other claims come from lab or animal studies. Bay leaves are a culinary ingredient used for flavor; remove whole leaves before serving.<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\r\\n<p>This guide covers the research, how to use bay leaves, how to make bay leaf tea, and possible side effects. You may also like our guide to <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/star-anise-benefits\\\/\\\">star anise benefits<\\\/a>.<\\\/p>\\r\\n\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align:center;\\\"><strong>Key takeaways<\\\/strong><\\\/h2>\\r\\n<p>These points summarize what is known about bay leaves.<\\\/p>\\r\\n<ul>\\r\\n<li>Bay leaves come from the bay laurel tree, Laurus nobilis, native to the Mediterranean.<\\\/li>\\r\\n<li>A 30-day study included 40 adults with type 2 diabetes. Those taking 1 to 3 g of ground bay leaf daily had lower blood sugar and cholesterol (<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/pmc\\\/articles\\\/PMC2613499\\\/\\\">1<\\\/a>).<\\\/li>\\r\\n<li>A review describes antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds in bay leaves, mostly from lab research (<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/journals.lww.com\\\/nutritiontodayonline\\\/Fulltext\\\/2021\\\/07000\\\/Bay_Leaf__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx\\\">2<\\\/a>, <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.researchgate.net\\\/publication\\\/336037536_Bay_Leaves_have_Antimicrobial_and_Antioxidant_Activities\\\">3<\\\/a>).<\\\/li>\\r\\n<li>Animal research on bay leaf aroma and memory does not show the same effect in people (<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mdpi.com\\\/2076-3921\\\/10\\\/2\\\/259\\\">4<\\\/a>).<\\\/li>\\r\\n<li>Bay leaf tea is popular, but its health effects have not been tested in good human trials.<\\\/li>\\r\\n<li>Whole bay leaves should be removed before eating because they are hard to chew and digest.<\\\/li>\\r\\n<li>Ask a doctor before using bay leaf supplements if you take diabetes medicine or are pregnant.<\\\/li>\\r\\n<\\\/ul>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align:center;\\\"><strong>What are the health benefits of bay leaves?<\\\/strong><\\\/h2>\\r\\n<p>The potential health benefits of bay leaves relate to bl ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/\",\"name\":\"Bay leaf benefits: uses, tea, and side effects\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-26T14:58:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn which bay leaf benefits research supports, how to make bay leaf tea, cooking uses, possible side effects, and who should avoid them.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp\",\"width\":1586,\"height\":992,\"caption\":\"Bowl of dried bay leaves on a wooden table, illustrating bay leaf benefits.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/bay-leaf-benefits\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Nutrition\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/nutrition\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Healthy Eating\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/nutrition\\\/healthy-eating\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Bay leaf benefits: what research says about bay leaves\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/\",\"name\":\"BetterMe Blog\",\"description\":\"Health &amp; 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wellness niche. The articles she writes focus on providing factual information \u2013 but never at the expense of providing an entertaining read. Her interest in health &amp; wellness was sparked by her motherhood journey. She realized just how much damage misinformation could cause, especially when it is targeted at new moms who are keen on postpartum weight loss. So for years, she has worked hard to demystify the seemingly complex concepts of health &amp; wellness. Eventually, she made one startling discovery that she wishes to share with all \u2013 there is no short cut. Consistency and hard work are the keys to a healthy mind and body. But, writing is not all she does. Being a mother to an energetic toddler means her free time is spent exploring the outdoors, arms laden with cotton candy and toys. Through the daily intrigues of work and play, she continues to discover and share more ways to keep fit and stay healthy!\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/in\\\/zindzygracia58517578\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/author\\\/zindzygracia\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Bay leaf benefits: uses, tea, and side effects","description":"Learn which bay leaf benefits research supports, how to make bay leaf tea, cooking uses, possible side effects, and who should avoid them.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Bay leaf benefits: what research says about bay leaves","og_description":"Learn which bay leaf benefits research supports, how to make bay leaf tea, cooking uses, possible side effects, and who should avoid them.","og_url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_modified_time":"2026-10-26T14:58:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1586,"height":992,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"ZindzyGracia","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"ZindzyGracia","Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/"},"author":{"name":"ZindzyGracia","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/089b3999a34dbeeb66dd7f667de8e48d"},"headline":"Bay leaf benefits: what research says about bay leaves","dateModified":"2026-10-26T14:58:52+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/"},"wordCount":1421,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp","articleSection":["Healthy Eating"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<p><em>Bay leaf benefits in people are not well proven. One small trial in adults with type 2 diabetes reported lower blood sugar and cholesterol with ground bay leaf. Most other claims come from lab or animal studies. Bay leaves are a culinary ingredient used for flavor; remove whole leaves before serving.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p>This guide covers the research, how to use bay leaves, how to make bay leaf tea, and possible side effects. You may also like our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/star-anise-benefits\/\">star anise benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p>These points summarize what is known about bay leaves.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Bay leaves come from the bay laurel tree, Laurus nobilis, native to the Mediterranean.<\/li>\r\n<li>A 30-day study included 40 adults with type 2 diabetes. Those taking 1 to 3 g of ground bay leaf daily had lower blood sugar and cholesterol (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2613499\/\">1<\/a>).<\/li>\r\n<li>A review describes antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds in bay leaves, mostly from lab research (<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/nutritiontodayonline\/Fulltext\/2021\/07000\/Bay_Leaf__Potential_Health_Benefits.8.aspx\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/336037536_Bay_Leaves_have_Antimicrobial_and_Antioxidant_Activities\">3<\/a>).<\/li>\r\n<li>Animal research on bay leaf aroma and memory does not show the same effect in people (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3921\/10\/2\/259\">4<\/a>).<\/li>\r\n<li>Bay leaf tea is popular, but its health effects have not been tested in good human trials.<\/li>\r\n<li>Whole bay leaves should be removed before eating because they are hard to chew and digest.<\/li>\r\n<li>Ask a doctor before using bay leaf supplements if you take diabetes medicine or are pregnant.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center;\"><strong>What are the health benefits of bay leaves?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p>The potential health benefits of bay leaves relate to bl ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/","name":"Bay leaf benefits: uses, tea, and side effects","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp","dateModified":"2026-10-26T14:58:52+00:00","description":"Learn which bay leaf benefits research supports, how to make bay leaf tea, cooking uses, possible side effects, and who should avoid them.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Bay-Leaf-Benefits.webp","width":1586,"height":992,"caption":"Bowl of dried bay leaves on a wooden table, illustrating bay leaf benefits."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bay-leaf-benefits\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Nutrition","item":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/nutrition\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Healthy Eating","item":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/nutrition\/healthy-eating\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Bay leaf benefits: what research says about bay leaves"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/","name":"BetterMe Blog","description":"Health &amp; 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