Plant Profile

Bay Leaf

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Laurus nobilis

Family: Lauraceae · Parts used: Fruit, Leaf, Seed · Also known as: Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay, True Laurel, Laurel Leaf

The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 8 pharmacological actions, 4 traditional / indicated uses, with 15 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Evergreen shrub or small tree with dark green, glossy, aromatic leaves, smooth-edged and slightly wavy at the margin. Small, pale yellow-green flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils in spring, followed by small, dark purple-black berries on female trees.

Height: 5-10 m (occasionally to 15-20 m)

Habit: Evergreen shrub or small tree

Leaves: Dark green, glossy, aromatic, smooth and slightly wavy at the margin

Flowers: Small, pale yellow-green, in axillary clusters

Stem: Woody, smooth grey-brown bark

Root: Woody root system

Fruit: Small, dark purple-black berry (female trees)

Flowering Period: Spring

Habitat & Distribution

Native to the Mediterranean region; widely cultivated as a culinary herb and ornamental tree in warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates worldwide.

Harvesting

Leaves are picked year-round from established plants and used fresh or dried; berries/seed are collected once ripe in autumn.

Parts: Fruit, Leaf, Seed

Season: Leaf year-round; fruit/seed in autumn

Key Constituents

Essential oil (1,8-cineole, eugenol)

Leaf essential oil dominated by 1,8-cineole and eugenol, giving the characteristic aroma and much of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.

Essential (volatile) oil1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)Eugenol

Sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids

Contribute to the plant's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Sesquiterpene lactonesFlavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)

Anti-inflammatory

Anticancer (preclinical)^[10]

Antimicrobial^{[2, 9]}

Antioxidant^{[2, 3, 4]}

Digestive aid

Neuroprotective / cognition support

Vulnerary (wound healing)^[1]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Bruising

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bruising

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →

Cancer (anticancer research)^[10]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Infection (general)

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Wounds

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1686

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Bay leaf has an ancient Mediterranean culinary and medicinal history, used as a digestive carminative for indigestion and bloating, and topically and traditionally for muscle and joint pain and minor wounds; it remains one of the most widely used culinary herbs worldwide.

Dosage

Infusion^{[5, 6]}

Two clinical studies in healthy volunteers used an infusion prepared from 5 g of dried Laurus nobilis leaves in 100 mL of boiled water, taken once daily for 10 days. Traditional references suggest a smaller 1-3 g per cup up to three times daily; no EMA or WHO monograph exists for bay leaf. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety noteCaution

Generally safe when used in food amounts. Not toxic to people and safe to cook with. Leaves are very rigid and leathery - should be removed before eating as they don't soften with cooking and edges can be sharp. Insufficient reliable information about safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding - stick to food amounts. Large amounts of bay leaf tea may cause vomiting (emetic properties) and drowsiness (sedative properties). In high doses, bay laurel has cytotoxic activity. Some people may experience allergic contact dermatitis from bay laurel oil.

Safety note^[13]Caution

Duke (2002) notes antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities for bay laurel, primarily at the experimental level. The essential oil contains eugenol and 1,8-cineole as principal bioactive components. Traditional dosages in European phytotherapy include 1–3 g of dried leaf as a tea. Caution is advised as the essential oil may cause allergic contact dermatitis, and bay berries should not be confused with the less toxic leaves (Duke, 2002).

Dangerous Lookalikes

Prunus Laurocerasus^{[14, 15]}Dangerous

Confused Part: Glossy evergreen leaves gathered for use as bay/laurel seasoning; cherry laurel leaves closely resemble bay leaves and have been collected in mistake for them.

Confusion Context: Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a very common evergreen hedging shrub whose thick glossy leaves closely resemble those of culinary bay (Laurus nobilis). A peer-reviewed study (Malaspina et al., 2022, Toxins) documents that in the Mediterranean region cherry laurel is sometimes collected instead of bay laurel - dangerous because cherry laurel leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides (prunasin, prulaurasin, amygdalin). When the leaves are crushed, chewed or cooked they release hydrogen cyanide, which blocks the body's use of oxygen; poisoning can cause headache, breathlessness, vomiting and convulsions, and severe cases (especially in children) can be fatal. Because a single bay-like leaf added to a dish is a realistic swap, this is a genuine kitchen hazard.

Distinguishing Features: SMELL (decisive): crush the leaf. True bay smells warm, spicy and camphoraceous (the familiar bay-leaf aroma). Cherry laurel smells of bitter almonds or marzipan - that almond smell is released cyanide and is a danger sign, not a seasoning., Leaf margin: bay leaves have smooth, slightly wavy (undulate) edges with no teeth. Cherry laurel leaves have finely serrated (toothed) edges., Petiole and glands: the bay leaf-stalk is reddish and the underside is plain. Cherry laurel has a green leaf-stalk and 2-4 small nectary glands visible on the underside near the leaf base., Shape and texture: bay is oblong and tapers to a point, up to about 10 cm; cherry laurel leaves are larger, broader (widest near the tip) and very thick and leathery.

Key Test: Crush a leaf and smell it, then check the edge. A warm camphoraceous bay aroma with a smooth wavy (untoothed) margin and a reddish stalk = true bay - safe. A bitter-almond/marzipan smell with a finely toothed (serrated) margin and small green glands under the leaf base = cherry laurel - do NOT cook with it; the almond smell is cyanide.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

^[11]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the mature leaves at any time (evergreen); they are typically picked in summer.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Leaves can be harvested year-round, but they are typically picked in summer.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3282); as an evergreen, the leaves are gathered year-round, typically in summer. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: true bay (Laurus nobilis) is confused with the toxic cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), whose leaves are cyanogenic - never substitute; confirm identity, see Dangerous Lookalikes.

^[12]

Part: fruit

Signals: Pick the drupes once they have coloured right through, from dark violet to glossy black - that colour IS maturity; they are usually taken at the same time as the leaves.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Fruit a globular to ellipsoidal drupe, 1-2 cm long, dark violet to glossy black at maturity.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PROSEA monograph on Laurus nobilis, hosted on Pl@ntUse (REF-3379). The same page gives the gathering practice: 'When berries are harvested they are mostly picked at the same time as the leaves.' Supersedes the earlier dead end (PFAF gave no fruit timing). Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY CRITICAL: cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) berries are toxic and the two are confused - confirm identity before gathering any 'laurel' fruit, see Dangerous Lookalikes.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Hammoodi, O.T., Alkhilani, M.A., Alhayani, W.A., Al-Nuaimy, W. and Tala'a, A.A (2024) 'Effects of Laurus nobilis Leaf Extract on Healing of Experimentally Induced Wounds in Rabbits', Veterinary Medicine International, 2024, pp. 2889480. doi:10.1155/2024/2889480 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2889480
Caputo, L., Nazzaro, F., Souza, L.F., Aliberti, L., De Martino, L. and Fratianni, F (2017) 'Laurus nobilis: Composition of Essential Oil and Its Biological Activities', Molecules, 22(6), pp. 930. doi:10.3390/molecules22060930 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22060930
Bourebaba, N., Kornicka-Garbowska, K., Marycz, K., Bourebaba, L. and Kowalczuk, A (2021) 'Laurus nobilis ethanolic extract attenuates hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cell line through the reduction of oxidative stress and improvement of mitochondrial biogenesis', Mitochondrion, 59, pp. 190-213. doi:10.1016/j.mito.2021.06.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mito.2021.06.003
Dobroslavic, E., Repajic, M., Dragovic-Uzelac, V. and Elez Garofulic, I (2022) 'Isolation of Laurus nobilis Leaf Polyphenols: A Review on Current Techniques and Future Perspectives', Foods, 11(2), pp. 235. doi:10.3390/foods11020235 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11020235
Chbili, C., Maoua, M., Zaouali, M., Selmi, M., Kacem, I. and Mrizek, N (2022) 'Evaluation of daily Laurus nobilis tea consumption on anxiety and stress biomarkers in healthy volunteers', Archives Italiennes de Biologie, 160(3-4), pp. 136-146. doi:10.12871/000398292022343 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.12871/000398292022343
Chbili, C., Maoua, M., Selmi, M., Mrad, S., Khairi, H. and Limem, K (2020) 'Evaluation of Daily Laurus nobilis Tea Consumption on Lipid Profile Biomarkers in Healthy Volunteers', Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 39(8), pp. 733-738. doi:10.1080/07315724.2020.1727787 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2020.1727787
Bouadid, I., Amssayef, A. and Eddouks, M (2023) 'Study of the Antihypertensive Effect of Laurus nobilis in Rats', Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 21(1), pp. 42-54. doi:10.2174/1871525720666220512154041 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871525720666220512154041
Mohammed, R.R., Omer, A.K., Yener, Z., Uyar, A. and Ahmed, A.K (2020) 'Biomedical effects of Laurus nobilis L. leaf extract on vital organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Experimental research', Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 61, pp. 188-197. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.051
Uchiyama, N., Matsunaga, K., Kiuchi, F., Honda, G., Tsubouchi, A. and Nakajima-Shimada, J (2002) 'Trypanocidal terpenoids from Laurus nobilis L', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 50(11), pp. 1514-1516. doi:10.1248/cpb.50.1514 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.50.1514
Saab, A.M., Guerrini, A., Zeino, M., Wiench, B., Rossi, D. and Gambari, R (2015) 'Laurus nobilis L. Seed Extract Reveals Collateral Sensitivity in Multidrug-Resistant P-Glycoprotein-Expressing Tumor Cells', Nutrition and Cancer, 67(4), pp. 664-675. doi:10.1080/01635581.2015.1019632 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2015.1019632
Plants For A Future 'Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Laurus+nobilis Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Laurus+nobilis
PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) 'Laurus nobilis (PROSEA)'. Available at: https://plantuse.plantnet.org/en/Laurus_nobilis_(PROSEA) Traditional / reference
https://plantuse.plantnet.org/en/Laurus_nobilis_(PROSEA)
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Malaspina, P. and Betuzzi, F. and Ingegneri, M. and Smeriglio, A. and Cornara, L. and Trombetta, D (2022) 'Risk of Poisoning from Garden Plants: Misidentification between Laurel and Cherry Laurel', Toxins, 14(11), pp. 726. doi:10.3390/toxins14110726 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14110726
Henriet, M. and Auquiere, J.P. and Moens, P (1974) 'Analysis and content of hydrocyanic acid by cutting, row and organographic zone of leaves of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L)', Journal de Pharmacie de Belgique, 29(5), pp. 437-43. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4377277/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4377277/

Selected studies & references

ReviewIsolation of Laurus nobilis Leaf Polyphenols: A Review on Current Techniques and Future Perspectives source↗ (2022)

ClinicalEvaluation of daily Laurus nobilis tea consumption on anxiety and stress biomarkers in healthy volunteers source↗ (2022)

ClinicalEvaluation of Daily Laurus nobilis Tea Consumption on Lipid Profile Biomarkers in Healthy Volunteers source↗ (2020)

PreclinicalEffects of Laurus nobilis Leaf Extract on Healing of Experimentally Induced Wounds in Rabbits source↗ (2024)

PreclinicalStudy of the Antihypertensive Effect of Laurus nobilis in Rats source↗ (2023)

PreclinicalLaurus nobilis ethanolic extract attenuates hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cell line through the reduction of oxidative stress and improvement of mitochondrial biogenesis source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalBiomedical effects of Laurus nobilis L. leaf extract on vital organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Experimental research source↗ (2020)

PreclinicalLaurus nobilis: Composition of Essential Oil and Its Biological Activities source↗ (2017)

All 11 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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