Scroll to Recipes with Bay Leaves / तेज पत्ता as ingredient

Bay leaf is an aromatic leaf used in Indian cooking. It can be used in three forms: dried, ground and also a whole. Also, it is called as laurel leaf.


Moreover, one can use it in making pickles and marination process like fish marination, stuffing. It gives a distinctive flavor and fragrance to the dishes. It can be used in soups and stews as well.

Using bay leaf can also give many health benefits like it relieves stomach problems and any other body pain. Moreover, it detoxifies your body and slows down the aging process.

Commonly known as

Language Name Written As
Hindi Tej Patta तेज पत्ता
Gujarati Tej Patta તેજ પત્તા
Marathi Tamal Pattra तमालपत्र
Malayalam ഉൾക്കടൽ ഇല uḷkkaṭal ila
Tamil Virikuṭā ilai விரிகுடா இலை
Urdu Tej Patte تيج پتی
Telugu Bē āku బే ఆకు
Arabic waraqat lilnabat alkhalij ورقة للنبات الخليج
Bengali Tējapātā তেজপাতা
French Feuille de laurier Feuille de laurier

Nutritional Profile of Bay Leaves

Nutritional profile per 100 gms

  • Calories: 314
  • Protein: 8g
  • Carbohydrate: 75g
  • Fiber: 26g
  • Fat: 8g
  • Sodium: 23mg
  • Potassium: 529mg

Source: USDA & Google

Health Benefits

Helps improve digestion

Bay leaf has a strong effect on the gastronomical effect in the body. Its organic compounds help to settle an upset stomach. It helps digest protein easily in the body as well.

Source:

Treat Respiratory System

Bay leaf has antibacterial properties that help treat lungs. The respiratory system is treating the important organ that helps you breathe.

Source: jstage.jst.go.jp

Act as Anti-Inflammatory

Bay leaf can reduce inflammation in your body. It contains parthenolide nutrient, that helps quickly reduce inflammation and irritation applied to the affected area.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Keeps Heart Healthy

In bay leaf, caffeic and rutin are the important organic compounds that enhance heart health. Rutin helps enhance capillary walls in heart and caffeic acid can help diminish bad cholesterol.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-cancer Properties

There are some organic compounds in bay leaf-like phytonutrients, parthenolide, linalool, catechins that help protect the body from the effect of cancer-causing free radicals.

Source: sciencedirect.com

Reduces Anxiety

Linadol is an important compound present in the bay leaf. This compound helps lower the stress level hormones and calms you down and remain relaxed.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Manages diabetes

Bay leaf helps improve insulin receptor function and regulates blood sugar. For those who already have developed diabetes conditions, regular consumption of bay leaves can lower the blood sugar level.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side Effects

Bay leaf cannot be consumed as a whole as it cannot be digested. It is only used to add flavor to the food. If you consume it whole, it can be clogged in your throat and may damage the intestine tract.

Although, there is no enough scientific research on consuming bay leaf in high dosage in food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bay leaf good for?

Bay leaf is a herb used in Indian cooking. These leaves enhance the flavor and aroma creates aroma in the food. Also, it has many health benefits like enhances heart health and relives from stomach problems.

Does bay leaf help in weight loss?

Bay leaf does not affect your weight. It only used in cooking to increase the aroma in the dishes.

Do bay leaf helps diabetes?

Yes, bay leaf improves insulin and glucose metabolism due to its components.

How to store bay leaves?

Fresh bay leaves can be stored in a ziplock pack and keep it in the refrigerator for a week or two. Dried bay leaves can be stored in the freezer.