Bay leaf Nutrition facts

Pleasantly aromatic bay leaf or bay-laurel is one of the well-recognized culinary leaf spices in use since the earliest times. In the legends, bay laurel is depicted as the tree of the Sun god, under the celestial sign of Leo.

Botanically, bay tree belongs to the family of Lauraceae, in the genus; Laurus. It is thought to have originated in the Asia Minor region, from where it is distributed all over the Mediterranean region and other parts of Asia.

Scientific name: Laurus nobilis.

Bay leaves

Laurel's thick and leathery leaves feature an elliptic shape, shiny, dark green, and measure about 3-4 inches in length.

Bay leaves give off a pleasing and sweet aroma when added to the recipes. Wilted and dried leaves indeed are strongly aromatic and can be stored for months. Its dried fruit (berries) can also be employed as a flavoring agent in the cuisine.

Health benefits of bay leaf

Bay leaf was prized highly by the Greeks and the Romans, who believed that the herb symbolizes wisdom, peace, and protection.
Bay leaf was prized highly by the Greeks and the Romans, who believed that the herb symbolizes wisdom, peace, and protection.
The spice contains many important plant-derived chemical compounds, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
This spice has many volatile active components such as a-pinene, ß-pinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool, methyl chavicol, neral, a-terpineol, geranyl acetate, eugenol, and chavicol. These compounds are known to have been antiseptic, antioxidant, digestive, and thought to have anti-cancer properties.
Fresh leaves are a very rich source of vitamin-C; provide 46.5 mg or 77.5% of RDA per 100 g. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is one of the powerful natural antioxidants that help remove harmful free radicals from the body. Ascorbic acid also has an immune booster, wound healing, and antiviral effects.
Furthermore, its fresh leaves and herb parts are superb in folic acid; contain about 180 mg or 45% of daily-recommended values per 100 g. Folates are important in DNA synthesis, and when given during the peri-conception period, they can help prevent neural tube defects in the newborn baby.
Bay leaves are an excellent source of vitamin-A; contain 6185 IU or 206% of recommended daily levels per 100 g. Vitamin A is a natural antioxidant and is essential for normal eyesight. It is also required for maintaining mucosa and skin health. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin A has been found to help protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
The spice is indeed an excellent source of many vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin. These B-complex groups of vitamins help in enzyme synthesis, nervous system function, and regulating body metabolism.
This leafy spice is an excellent source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cells and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
Manganese and copper are used by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome oxidase enzymes.

Medicinal uses of bay leaf

Medicinally, the benefits of the bay leaf and its berries are plentiful. It has astringent, diuretic, and appetite-stimulant properties.
Essential oil from the bay leaves contains mostly cineol (50%); furthermore, eugenol, chavicol, acetyl eugenol, methyl eugenol, a- and ß-pinene, phellandrene, linalool, geraniol, and terpineol are also found.
Infusions of herb parts are reputed to soothe stomach ulcers and help relieve flatulence and colic pain.
The lauric acid in the bay laurel leaves has insect-repellent properties.
The components in the essential oil can also be used in many traditional medicines in the treatment of arthritis, muscle pain, bronchitis, and flu symptoms.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis), Nutritional value per 100 g.

(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percent of RDA
Energy	313 Kcal	15.5%
Carbohydrates	74.97 g	57%
Protein	7.61 g	13%
Total Fat	8.36 g	29%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	26.3 g	69%
Vitamins
Folates	180 mcg	45%
Niacin	2.005 mg	12.5%
Pyridoxine	1.740 mg	133%
Riboflavin	0.421 mg	32%
Vitamin A	6185 IU	206%
Vitamin C	46.5 mg	77.5%
Electrolytes
Sodium	23 mg	1.5%
Potassium	529 mg	11%
Minerals
Calcium	834 mg	83%
Copper	0.416 mg	46%
Iron	43 mg	537%
Magnesium	120 mg	30%
Manganese	8.167 mg	355%
Phosphorus	113 mg	16%
Selenium	2.8 mcg	5%
Zinc	3.70 mg	33%

Selection and storage

Bay leaf plant. Note for dark green leaves with flower buds. Photo courtesy: Andy

Traditionally, bay leaves are picked and dried slowly under the shade away from direct sunlight to retain their volatile essential oils.

In the spice stores, one might come across different kinds of bay leaf preparations. Completely dry, and ground (spicy powder) forms can also be sold in such stores. Buy from authentic sources and avoid those with off-smell, spots, or fungus-inflicted leaves.

Once at home, store bay leaf in an airtight jar or container and keep it away from direct light. Since they lose flavor early, laurel leaves should not be kept for longer than a year.

Dried bay laurel berries are also being used as a flavoring item in dishes.

Culinary uses

Glossy, dark-green bay leaves can be used fresh. However, they are at their best after being allowed to wilt under the shade for a few days till their bitterness has gone, but the leaves still retain their pleasing aroma.

If you stumble upon bay leaves in the cooked food, just keep them aside before eating. Besides being quite strongly flavored, the laurel leaves are leathery in texture and tough to chew and swallow.

Here are some serving tips:

Bay leaf is one of the ingredients in bouquet garni along with thyme, sage, savory, celery, and basil.
The spice is also used in the preparation of court bouillon. Court bullion is readymade preparation made of water, salt, white wine, vegetable aromatics (onion and celery), and flavored with bouquet garni and black pepper.
Its dried leaves brewed into an herbal tea.
Popular as tej patta, dry laurel leaf always found a place in the kitchen spice box in India. The leaf is added to flavor fried rice, biriyani, chutneys, etc.
Bay Laurel is also an essential ingredient in many classic sauces such as bread sauce, tomato sauce, and béchamel.
Bay leaves added to flavor cuisines such as seafood, poultry, meat, rice (pulov), and vegetable dishes.
Bay leaf is used to flavor sweet dishes like sweetbreads, custards, and creams.

Safety profile

Discard Laurel from the food before serving since they may cause choking, and injure the tongue and the digestive tract. Pregnant women should avoid eating them in excess as the chemical compounds in them may cause abortion.
(Medical disclaimer: The information and reference guides on this website are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not to be used to diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications.)

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