Bay leaves may have health benefits, including wound healing and improved memory. However, more research is needed on humans, as most existing studies are on animals or done in test tubes.
Bay leaves are a standard cooking ingredient in many savory dishes. Although available fresh, dried bay leaves are typically easier to find.
They’re used to flavor soups, stews, and sauces — just remove them prior to serving because they have a bitter taste.
This herb, Laurus nobilis, comes from the evergreen bay laurel family, which is native to the Mediterranean. The two most common types are Turkish, with long oval leaves, and Californian, with long narrow leaves.
Throughout history, bay leaves have been used in many different ways for possible health benefits.
But how do these uses measure up in scientific studies? Read on to find out.
- Could it help cure 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.
For this reason, more studies on humans need to be completed to determine if bay leaves have an effect on cancer.
- Can it help with diabetes?
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.
- Can it treat wounds?
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.
That said, the researchers didn’t test these components individually. Here, too, it’s important to test the effect of the bay leaf itself on human wounds before drawing any conclusion.
- Can it help treat 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.
- Can it help improve 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, it isn’t possible to conclude from these findings that bay leaf in any form could actually improve cognitive function, especially not in humans.
More clinical research with human subjects is necessary to verify these findings.
- 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
However, as with the other purported benefits of bay leaves, the evidence is primarily based on older lab and mouse studies and not on clinical trials involving human subjects.
In addition, bay leaves can be used in different forms. A lot of the available research has focused on bay leaf extract or essential oil. This means it’s hard to say whether ingesting bay leaves as part of cooked food, for example, would have similar benefits.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
Side effects and risks
Bay leaves are typically harmless when used in cooking, but never ingest bay leaf essential oil, as it’s only meant to be used topically or for inhalation.
That said, if you consume the whole leaf, it won’t break down in the stomach and may pass through your digestive system undigested. For this reason, recipes often recommend removing the bay leaf at certain stages of cooking.
While there’s not enough information to say for sure, it’s best to avoid taking bay leaf during pregnancy or while nursing.
In addition, if you have diabetes, using bay leaf might affect your blood sugar levels. Also, some evidence suggests it could slow down your nervous system, which could cause problems during surgery if mixed with anesthesia and other medications.
It’s a good idea to stop using bay leaf as medication at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery.
The bottom line
Bay leaf is often used in recipes to provide a savory boost of flavor in soups and stews. It has also been used throughout history for its potential health benefits.
Researchers have conducted studies that may uncover ways that it can help improve health. However, ultimately, more research, including in humans, is needed.
(Healthline) Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — Written by Alina Sharon
