How to Make Bay Leaf Tea with Benefits.

Learn how to make a fragrant and comforting cup of Bay Leaf Tea and its benefits for digestion and relaxation.

Making a hot cup of tea has become a daily habit that brings me peace and comfort. When I combine it with my favorite book, it helps me relax after a long day. Sometimes, I take my dog for a walk and find herbs along the way, like lilac, elderflowers, yarrow, or dandelions. I collect them and use them to make my tea. Other times, I use spices from my pantry, such as saffron or cocoa beans, or herbs from my garden, like lemon balm or roses. 

Today, I want to share my experience using bay leaves in tea. I usually use them when cooking soups or sauces, but I decided to explore the potential when reading about the benefits of bay leaves.

What is Bay Leaf Tea?

Bay leaf tea is a herbal infusion made by steeping the fresh or dried leaves of the bay laurel tree (Laurus nobilis) in hot water. The steeping enables relief of a distinct aroma, flavor, and health benefits of leaves in tea. The bay leaf tea is tasty on its own or with a slice of lemon or splash of milk. However, some prefer to blend it with spices like cinnamon or ginger. 

You can enjoy the benefits of bay leaf tea using loose leaves or tea bags.

Want to try more herbal teas? Start with these blends

Ingredients To Make Laurel Leaf Tea

All you need are bay leaves and water. 

Bay leaves:

Use fresh or dried bay leaves. You can buy dried bay leaves in most grocery stores. I found the fresh herb in our garden center. To make a cup of hot tea, use 2 dried or 4 fresh leaves.

What are bay leaves?

Bay leaves are aromatic leaves from the bay leaf tree, scientifically known as Laurus nobilis. It is a small evergreen tree from the Mediterian region. Don’t mistake them for California Bay (Umbellularia californica), another type of bay leaf. Make sure to know the tree well before going foraging for the leaves.

Bay leaves are commonly used in cooking soups, stews, marinates, or sauces for their distinct flavor and aroma. But they are tough and have a sharp texture so after infusing their flavors during cooking, remove them before serving.

To get their full benefits, use a food processor or coffee grinder to make ground bay leaves.

Fresh or dried bay leaves have a long shelf life making them perfect for drying and long-term storage.

But few people know they also make lovely tea with medicinal benefits.

Bay leaf tea benefits

It has many medicinal properties, although more scientific studies are needed to confirm them. 

Digestive support:

This tea possesses digestive properties that may help soothe an upset stomach, relieve indigestion, and reduce bloating. To aid in digestion, consume it after meals.

Support Immunity

Bay leaf is a good source of vitamin A, C and vitamin B6, all of which are known to support a healthy immune system.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Bay leaves contain eugenol and linalool that have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, drinking bay leaves help reduce inflammation in the body.

Bay leaf tea helps to improve sleep:

Bay leaves can help with anxiety and tension and help to promote sleep. So maybe a good choice for those looking for a natural solution, try drinking a cup of bay leaf tea before bedtime.

Antioxidant activity:

Bay leaf tea is rich in antioxidants, like cinnamon tea, which helps combat oxidative stress and neutralize free radicals in the body. This tea may also protect against chronic diseases.

Expectorant Properties:

Bay leaves also contain volatile compounds, such as eucalyptol, which help relieve respiratory issues like coughs, congestion, and asthma symptoms. 

Blood sugar management:

Some studies suggest that drinking bay leaves can also help manage blood sugar levels and potentially reduces type 2 diabetes risk factors. (1) but more research is needed to understand its full effects.

Reduce high cholesterol:

Bay leaf tea is a great way to maintain your daily dose of potassium, an important nutrient for heart health.

Bay leaf tea can help reduce blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and decrease cholesterol levels, thus aiding in weight management.

How to Make Bay Leaf Tea

First step: Gather Bay Leaves.

You can use dried or fresh bay leaves. Bruise the leaves before adding them to infuse to relieve their flavors. If you use fresh bay leaves, use them two times more than dried ones. 

Second step: Boil the water.

In a small pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add bay leaves. Use approximately two bay leaves per cup of water. 

Third step: Simmer and steep.

Add the bay leaves to the simmering water and steep for at least 5 minutes. This allows the flavors and aromas of the bay leaves to infuse into the water. Cover the pot to retain the essential oils.

Fourth step: Remove from heat and strain.

After steeping, remove the pot from the heat and strain the tea to remove the bay leaves. You can use a fine-mesh sieve or a tea strainer for this step.

Fifth step: Serve and enjoy.

Pour the hot bay leaf tea into cups or mugs. You can enjoy it as is or add sweeteners like honey, sugar, or stevia to taste. Some people also like squeezing a fresh lemon for flavor.

Variations of Bay Leaf Tea at Home.

Add a few slices of lemon, lime, or orange to the boiling water and the bay leaves. This will infuse the bay leaf tea recipe with a refreshing citrusy note.

Enhance the herbal infusion by adding a sprig of fresh mint leaves and a pinch of dried chamomile flowers.

To create a spiced version, add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, or cardamom pods. Simmer them with bay leaves to infuse the tea with warm and aromatic flavors.

Add a teaspoon of honey and a few slices of fresh ginger to the tea while it’s steeping. This will add a hint of sweetness and a warm, spicy ginger taste.

Add dried rose petals or lavender buds to enhance the tea with delicate floral notes. 

How long do you boil bay leaves?

When making bay leaf tea, do not boil the leaves. Instead, add the bay leaves to the simmering water and let them steep in hot water for about 5 minutes to infuse their flavors and aromas into the tea.

If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can simmer the bay leaves for a slightly longer duration, but be cautious not to exceed 10 minutes, as it may lead to a bitter taste. 

Are fresh bay leaves better than dried ones?

You can use fresh and dried bay leaves in tea-making, but their flavors and uses differ.

Fresh bay leaves have a more vibrant color and flavor. However, they need longer cooking time to release their flavors, so you better use them in stews or slow-cooked dishes.

On the other hand, dried bay leaves have a more intense and concentrated taste, so use them in dishes that require shorter cooking times, such as soups, sauces, and marinades. 

You can use fresh and dried bay leaves when making tea. Dried fragrant leaves have a stronger flavor, while fresh bay leaves are fresher and more aromatic .

What Does Bay Leaf Herbal Tea Taste Like?

Bay leaves make a distinct and unique flavor of the tea. It has an herbal and slightly floral taste with subtle hints of spice. The flavor is pleasant, mildly bitter, with underlying earthy and woody notes. Some people detect a subtle sweetness.

Is drinking bay leaf tea safe?

While it is generally safe to drink for most people, there are a few potential side effects of bay leaf tea one should take a closer look.
It may cause digestive discomfort if consumed in excess. Also, people with allergies or people taking certain medications should consult a healthcare professional before consuming it regularly.

Does Bay Leaf Tea Have Caffeine?

Like any other herbal tea, bay leaf tea does not contain caffeine. This makes it suitable for those looking for a caffeine-free beverage alternative.

What is West Indian Bay Leaf Tea?

West Indian bay leaf tea is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the Pimenta racemosa, a native to the Caribbean region. This tree is known for its aromatic leaves, which are used in culinary and medicinal applications.

 It has a rich, spicy, and clove-like taste with hints of sweetness. The aroma is strong and fragrant, often warm and reminiscent of the Caribbean spices.

In addition to its culinary uses, West Indian bay leaf tea has various health benefits. For example, it aids digestion, soothes upset stomachs, and relieves respiratory issues. 

Browse our full collection of herbal teas here:

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