The Noble Bay Leaf

Bay leaf is an herb that I used to only think of as a seasoning. I neglected its potential medicinal properties, and strictly considered it as an herb for soups and Italian dishes. And while my wife does use it for cooking, she also also introduced me to the idea of using it as a medicine. I was feeling congested and she surprised me by making an inhalation using bay leaves to help me out.

I’ve made inhalations many times before to ease congestion by adding pine and/or eucalyptus essential oil to boiling water and carefully inhaling the steam. In this case, my wife added whole bay leaves to the boiling hot water. Inhaling the steam worked great and sparked an interest in learning more about the medicinal properties of bay leaves and trying inhalations using whole eucalyptus leaves or pine needles instead of using the essential oils in the future.

Bay Leaf as Medicine

While bay leaves aren't really used in Western herbal medicine, they were used in ancient Rome. Bay leaves help improve digestion, and adding them to food helps with the digestion of meat and other heavy foods. They settle the stomach (like peppermint), stimulate appetite, and promote digestive secretions. 

The leaves are also anti-inflammatory and were traditionally used to treat arthritis. Bay leaves have also been applied topically for bee and wasp stings. They may also help to balance blood sugar, protect the body from chemicals, and help the immune system fight infections. There is limited research on all of these uses, and research on the benefits of using bay leaf as a medicine appears to be primarily based on studies with mice rather than humans. 

Bay Leaf Essential Oil

While bay leaves are most commonly sold as a seasoning, the essential oil of bay leaf is commercially available and has several potential benefits. The oil is camphoric, fresh, and slightly sweet. It should not be used internally, but it can be inhaled or diluted for topical use. 

It reduces inflammation and has been applied topically (diluted) to ease arthritic pain. It can also be diluted and applied topically for both bacterial and fungal skin infections. The essential oil can also be inhaled for respiratory infections. It helps to loosen and expel mucus.

The essential oil of bay leaf also acts as an insect repellent. The leaves can also be used for this purpose. You can put them in closets or drawers to chase away bugs.

Emotional Use of Bay Laurel

Bay laurel has some interesting folk uses. A garland of laurel leaves was used to honor victory among the Romans, and men of distinction were crowned with a wreath of laurel with its berries in the Middle Ages. This is the origin of phrases like “Earning one’s laurels” or “Resting on one’s laurels.”  

The laureate is one who has earned top credentials in a field, hence the terms “poet laureate,” referring to a great poet, and “Nobel laureates,” referring to winners of Nobel prizes. The bachelor’s degree that is conferred by colleges and universities is also known as a baccalaureate. The Latin name for this plant, Laurus nobilis, also suggests its association with noble behavior or nobility.

Considering all of this, it makes sense that the essential oil of bay laurel (or perhaps a flower essence made from it) would be a good remedy for people who doubt themselves. It is thought to boost self-esteem and promote self-confidence and courage. It may also help stimulate the mind, promoting one’s ability to think for oneself and gain valuable new insights.

Using Bay Laurel

Add whole bay leaves to soups, sauces, or other dishes for both flavor and digestion. Remove them before serving. You can also make a tea using only two or three leaves per cup. Bay leaves can also be infused in a fixed oil (like olive oil) to make a topical liniment for sore muscles or minor injuries. You can also use the leaves in a bath or soak to ease aches and pains. As suggested earlier, the leaves or essential oil can be added to boiled water and used as a steam inhalation for respiratory congestion and infection. You can get more ideas for using bay leaves in the article Bay Laurel Uses and Plant Monograph.