Bay Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Bay Leaves 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
Nutrients and Compounds
Like other herbs, bay leaves are low in calories and high in vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin A and polyphenols. One tablespoon (approximately 1.8 grams) of crumbled bay leaf contains about:

• Calories: 5.6
• Total Carbohydrates: 1.4 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
• Total Fat: 0.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.04 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
• Protein: 0.1 g
• Sodium: 0.4 mg (0.02% DV*)
• Manganese: 0.1 mg (4% DV)
• Iron: 0.8 mg (4% DV)
• Vitamin A: 5.6 mcg (1% DV)

*Daily Value: Percentages are based on a diet of 2,000 calories a day.

Bay leaves are known to contain various antioxidants, vitamins, and carotenoids. A 2019 literature review noted other potential health benefits, including that bay leaves may:

• Reduce inflammation and pain
• Support the immune system
• Protect against chemicals that can cause genetic mutations
• Have antimicrobial properties
• Work as an anticholinergic
• Help repel insects

Digestion  Bay leaves may have an impact on the gastrointestinal system by preventing against gastric damage and promoting urination, which helps release toxins in the body and aids in health of the kidneys.

Within bay leaves are certain organic compounds containing enzymes that may also help soothe an upset stomach, protect against kidney stones and reduce irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, such as bloating and gas.

In some cases, bay leaf products have also been shown to decrease symptoms of stomach ulcers. Overall, the herb seems to provide digestive relief by enhancing the digestion process, fighting certain bacteria that can contribute to ulcers (including Helicobacter pyloriis) and helping increase nutrient absorption.

Cancer  Some studies suggest that bay leaf may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

For example, a 2023 laboratory study on mice found that the oil derived from Laurus nobilis helped inhibit the formation of liver cancer in a 3D model that mimicked real tumors. In another 2022 study, researchers loaded nanoparticles with the same oil and, through various test tubes and computer-based testing, found that these particles may help inhibit a pathway involved in the growth of cancer cells.

However, none of these studies examined bay leaves directly or studied their effect on human cancer cells. Moreover, another mouse study on cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) showed that bay leaf extract didn’t prevent the expansion of cancer cells.

Evaluation of the use of bay leaf extract has shown that both the leaves and fruits of the Laurus nobilis plant are capable of fighting breast cancer. The study noted bay leaf as a potential natural agent for breast cancer therapy by comparing cells that were induced with the extracts and those that were not.

Cell death occurred in those that were induced, potentially making bay leaf a natural cancer treatment option. Further research published in Nutrition and Cancer suggests that this extract may also help fight colorectal cancer. In vitro studies were conducted using extracts of the bay leaf against colon cancer cell growth. By including ingredients, such as bay leaf, into food, results exhibited the potential for colon cancer-regulating properties, showing relevance to protection against colorectal cancer during early stages of detection. As you can see, research reveals bay leaf benefits extend to fighting cancer.

Diabetes  It’s possible that bay leaf can help lower blood sugar levels. Research from one study found that by taking bay leaf capsules, blood sugar levels and LDL cholesterol levels dropped in participants. Further research published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition reveals that bay leaves may improve insulin function. The study was conducted to determine if bay leaves may help manage type 2 diabetes.

Forty people were given varied amounts of bay leaf, in the form of a capsule, per day over a period of 30 days. All amounts reduced serum glucose and total cholesterol, but there were no significant changes in the placebo group. The overall outcome shows that regular consumption of bay leaves may help decrease risk factors for diabetes and even cardiovascular diseases.

In a 2021 test tube study, researchers investigated the benefits of using bay leaf extract to treat insulin resistance and oxidative stress in liver cells. The results showed promising potential to help protect liver cells against the effects of elevated blood sugar and insulin levels. Another 2021 study examined this question in rats and discovered, among other findings, that bay leaf extract could potentially help lower blood sugar. Still, none of the studies specifically examined this effect in people with diabetes, so it’s difficult to draw a firm conclusion about how bay leaves might affect the condition.

Wounds  In animal studies bay leaf has been used as an extract and in a poultice to help heal wounds. While it wasn’t as effective in healing wounds as quickly or as effectively as the Allamanda cathartica. L. extract, the bay laurel extract did show improved wound healing compared to the control group. In older experiments conducted on rats, scientists found that bay leaf had the ability to assist with wound healing. In a 2022 test tube study, researchers mixed bay leaf extract with chitosan and found that the mixture may be helpful against bacteria forming in wound sutures, which could help prevent infection.

Kidney Stones  Urease is an enzyme that, when out of balance, can lead to several gastric disorders, including kidney stones. One 2021 study examined 40 herbal extracts and found that bay leaf had the strongest ability to bind with and inhibit urease due to a component called quercetin.

That said, while various lab and animal studies have examined the use of bay leaf as an alternative treatment for kidney stones directly, more research in humans is needed to confirm that the herb could actually be used as a remedy for the condition.

Memory  In a 2021 study, researchers exposed rats to bay leaf incense for 5 minutes in a smoking chamber apparatus once per day for 22 days. They found that the rats exposed to the incense had decreased cognitive impairment and oxidative stress. Similarly, in a 2024 study, researchers found that mice given Laurus nobilis oil had decreased cognitive impairment and oxidative brain damage. That said, its premature to conclude from these findings that bay leaf could improve cognitive function in humans.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant  Bay leaf, including bay leaf essential oil, offers anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits due to antioxidants and other protective compounds found in the plant. This herb contains more than 80 identified compounds, including polyphenols, eucalyptol, cineole, sabinene and linalool.

One study conducted at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University focused on the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of specific essential oils from white wormwood, rose-scented geranium and bay laurel on fresh produce against dangerous bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli. All three essential oils showed antioxidant properties, with the highest activity occurring in bay laurel essential oil.

Other studies have come to similar conclusions, demonstrating that Laurus nobilis can defend against a range of health problems due to phytochemicals, volatile and non-volatile oils, flavonoids, tannins, sesquiterpene alcohols, and alkaloids. It’s also been shown in extract form to reduce expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines that can contribute to chronic conditions.

Candida  Bay leaf has been shown to be antifungal, according to studies.

One published in the Archives of Oral Biology showed that essential oil of bay laurel defended against candida. In the study, bay laurel disrupted adhesion of candida to cell walls, therefore reducing its ability to penetrate the membrane, making it a great addition to a candida diet in order to combat this fungal condition.

Additional benefits
Bay leaves are known to contain various antioxidants, vitamins, and carotenoids. A 2019 literature review noted other potential health benefits, including that bay leaves may:

• Reduce inflammation and pain
• Support the immune system
• Protect against chemicals that can cause genetic mutations
• Have antimicrobial properties
• Work as an anticholinergic
• Help repel insects

Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis
English: Laurel, Sweet Bay
Unani: Habb-ul-ghaar
Also, known as: Daphni, Lourierblaar, Laurel, Laur, Laurier, Lorbeer, Alloro, Tamalpatra, Tejpatta, True laurel
Habitat: Native to Mediterranean region
Origin: India
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Bay leaves are dark green above and paler below, with a sweet, spicy aroma and a bitter test. The fresh or dried leaves are one of the most popular of all food flavourings. Bay leaves were used for flavouring by the ancient Greeks. Bay leaves tree is an evergreen shrub up to 60 feet height with male and female flowers on separate plants and purple-black, olive-like fruits. Many unrelated plants are also called “Bay” or “Laurel “due to superficial similarities with true laurel. It prefers the Mediterranean climate but grows well under a wide range of environmental conditions. The leaves are handpicked and air-dried. The fresh leaves are very mild and do not develop their full flavour until several weeks after picking and drying. They are usually sold as whole leaves. The leaves should be removed from the cooked food before eating.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
Start with 250–500 mg (cut or powdered) per day, increasing slowly if needed, and don’t exceed 1,000 mg daily.