Bay leaf

Related Terms

1,8-Cineole, alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone moiety, bay laurel, bay tree, costunolide, daphne, dehydrocostus lactone, Grecian laurel, guaianolides, Lauraceae (family), laurel, laurel oil, laurus, Laurus nobilis L., Laurus nobilis var. angustifolia, Laurus azorica, Mediterranean bay, Mediterranean laurel, noble laurel, p-menthane hydroperoxide, reynosin, Roman laurel, santamarine, sclerophyllous shrubs, sesquiterpenes, sweet bay, sweet laurel, true bay, trypanocidal terpenoids, zaluzanin D.
Note: Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) may be confused with California bay leaf (Umbellularia californica), also known as "California laurel" or "Oregon myrtle," or Indian bay leaf (Cinnamoma tamala). California bay leaf (Umbellularia californica), Indian bay leaf (Cinnamoma tamala), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), and laurel (Ocotea puberula) are not covered in this monograph, which covers bay leaf (Laurus nobilis), as well as the closely related Laurus azorica.

Background

Bay leaf has been used since ancient Greece as a symbol of praise or scholarship for heroes and poets. Bay leaf is primarily used to flavor foods, and it is used by chefs of ethnic cuisines, from Italian to Thai. It is also frequently used in salt-free seasonings.
Bay leaf is thought to be useful for gastric ulcers, high blood sugar, migraines, and infections. Bay leaves and berries have been used as astringents, to promote sweating and relief of intestinal gas, and to tone and strengthen the stomach. In the Middle Ages, bay leaf was believed to induce abortion. Traditionally, the berries of the bay tree were used to treat boils. The leaf essential oil of Laurus nobilis has been used as an antiepileptic remedy in Iranian traditional medicine.
Bay leaf may have beneficial effects on glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Currently, scientific evidence supporting the use of bay leaf to treat any condition in humans is lacking.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Bay leaf may have beneficial effects on glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Bay leaf may have beneficial effects on glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Bay leaf may have beneficial effects on glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Bay leaf may have beneficial effects on glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol"), and triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
For diabetes, 1-3 grams of bay leaves has been used daily for 30 days.
For high cholesterol, 1-3 grams of bay leaves has been used daily for 30 days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Bay leaf may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Bay leaf may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Bay leaf essential oil may have anticonvulsant (anti-epilepsy) effects. Individuals using bay leaf with other medications with anticonvulsant effects should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.
Use caution in patients taking central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Bay leaf essential oil may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Bay leaf may also interact with alcohol, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, antibiotics, anticancer drugs, antifungals, antivirals, gastrointestinal agents, lipid-lowering drugs, and quinolones, due to possible additive effects with bay leaf.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Ferreira A, Proenca C, Serralheiro ML, et al. The in vitro screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants from Portugal. J Ethnopharmacol 2006; 108(1):31-7.
Hibasami H, Yamada Y, Moteki H, et al. Sesquiterpenes (costunolide and zaluzanin D) isolated from laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) induce cell death and morphological change indicative of apoptotic chromatin condensation in leukemia HL-60 cells. Int J Mol Med 2003;12(2):147-151.
Khan A, Zaman G, Anderson RA. Bay leaves improve glucose and lipid profile of people with type 2 diabetes. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2009;44(1):52-56.
Komiya T, Yamada Y, Moteki H, et al. Hot water soluble sesquiterpenes [anhydroperoxy-costunolide and 3-oxoeudesma-1,4(15),11(13)triene-12,6alpha-olide] isolated from laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) induce cell death and morphological change indicative of apoptotic chromatin condensation in leukemia cells. Oncol Rep 2004;11(1):85-88.
Matsuda H, Shimoda H, Uemura T, et al. Preventive effect of sesquiterpenes from bay leaf on blood ethanol elevation in ethanol-loaded rat: structure requirement and suppression of gastric emptying. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 1999;9(18):2647-2652.
Moteki H, Hibasami H, Yamada Y, et al. Specific induction of apoptosis by 1,8-cineole in two human leukemia cell lines, but not a in human stomach cancer cell line. Oncol Rep 2002;9(4):757-760.
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Simic A, Sokovic MD, Ristic M, et al. The chemical composition of some Lauraceae essential oils and their antifungal activities. Phytother Res 2004;18(9):713-717.
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