Bay Leaves: Culinary Uses and as an Herbal Remedy

Unless you've a decent amount of cooking experience, specifically in soups and stews, then you might have overlooked an important herb. The bay leaf, also known as bay laurel and sweet bay, is a flavorful herb used extensively to flavor soups and stews. A necessary staple of any well-stocked pantry or spice rack, bay leaves are often used in Mediterranean cuisine and are now commonly found everywhere, especially in North America.

There are two main types of bay leaves; the Mediterranean bay leaf (also known as the Turkish bay leaf), and the California bay leaf, which is somewhat stronger in flavor.

The Indian bay leaf is a misclassification. Possessing a mild cinnamon flavor and more akin to the herb Cassia, it is actually not a bay leaf at all, and is more commonly referred to as curry leaves.

Harvested from the bay laurel tree, dried bay leaves are usually added to soup stocks, stews, various meat and vegetable dishes, marinades, and several French dishes such as bouillabaisse. The flavor is slowly absorbed from the oils of the bay leaf during the cooking process, and then the bay leaves are removed, as they remain hard even during the cooking process and can cause you to choke.

Bay leaves can also be crumbled over salads or other dishes for a subtle flavor enhancement, but they can impart a sharp, bitter flavor to your meal if overused. Typically, only a half of a bay leaf need be used to flavor a meal that serves two.

Supermarkets will sometimes have fresh bay leaves available. Fresh or dried, you should look for bay leaves that are bright green in color. These will be the most flavorful. Bay leaves that are darker or faded will tend to be more bitter. Bay leaves can also be purchased in a powdered form.

Bay leaves also contain some healthful properties. Said to improve digestion, it can also be used as a local antiseptic. Herbalists use the bay leaf for several herbal remedies, including as a means to stimulate the appetite and to decrease excessive flatulence.

Other herbal remedies attributed to the bay leaf include treating bruises and sprains, dandruff and as a means to improve hair growth. The oils inherent in the bay leaf also serve to improve skin tone and ease rheumatic pain. The essential oils of the bay leaf can be found as a dietary supplement in health food stores or are sold by herbalists as an herbal remedy for other minor ailments.