Bay Leaf

What is Bay Leaf
The bay leaf that we use in cooking is actually the dried leaf of the Bay Laurel tree (Laurus Nobililis). This is why bay leaves can also be known as sweet bay, sweet laurel, laurel leaf or bay laurel. 

The bay laurel tree is native to Asia Minor but is now grown all over the Mediterranean, as it is suited to warm climates. There are two main types of bay leaf - the Mediterranean bay leaf and the Californian bay leaf. The Californian bay leaf is much stronger in flavour and the Mediterranean bay leaf is widely used in Mediterranean-style and Indian Style cooking

Health Benefits

• A cloth soaked in boiled bay leaves in water, which is placed on the chest can relieve chest infections, flu, coughs and bronchitis.
• Massage bay leaf essential oil onto affected areas to relieve sprains, swellings, backache and arthritic and rheumatic pains.
• An infusion of bay leaves will promote sweating, which will help clear up flu and feverish symptoms.
• Bay leaves settle the stomach and help to treat digestive disorders.
• They are useful for proper digestion and can reduce flatulence.
• They can help to breakdown and digest certain food types such as proteins.
• A bay leaf rinse can help to treat dandruff.

Pls be aware of side effects before you start taking large amount.

Medical disclaimer:
 
The information and reference guides in this website are intended solely for the general information for 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.

Names In Other Languages for Bay Leaf (Arabic, Assamese, Bengali,Chinese, French, German, Gujarati,Hindi, Kannada, Malay, Malayalam, Oriya, Sinhala, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu)::

Nutritional value

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Amounts per 1 tbsp, crumbled (2g)

Calorie Information Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calories 5.5 (23.0 kJ) 0%   From Carbohydrate 3.9 (16.3 kJ)   From Fat 1.2 (5.0 kJ)   From Protein 0.3 (1.3 kJ)   From Alcohol 0.0 (0.0 kJ) Carbohydrates Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Carbohydrate 1.3 g 0% Dietary Fiber 0.5 g 2% Starch ~ Sugars ~ Fats & Fatty Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Fat 0.1 g 0% Saturated Fat 0.0 g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0 g Total trans fatty acids ~ Total trans-monoenoic fatty acids ~ Total trans-polyenoic fatty acids ~ Total Omega-3 fatty acids 18.4 mg Total Omega-6 fatty acids 21.7 mg Learn more about these fatty acids and their equivalent names

Protein & Amino Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Protein 0.1 g 0% Vitamins Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Vitamin A 108 IU 2% Vitamin C 0.8 mg 1% Vitamin D ~ ~ Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) ~ ~ Vitamin K ~ ~ Thiamin 0.0 mg 0% Riboflavin 0.0 mg 0% Niacin 0.0 mg 0% Vitamin B6 0.0 mg 2% Folate 3.2 mcg 1% Vitamin B12 0.0 mcg 0% Pantothenic Acid ~ ~ Choline ~ Betaine ~ Minerals Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calcium 14.6 mg 1% Iron 0.8 mg 4% Magnesium 2.1 mg 1% Phosphorus 2.0 mg 0% Potassium 9.3 mg 0% Sodium 0.4 mg 0% Zinc 0.1 mg 0% Copper 0.0 mg 0% Manganese 0.1 mg 7% Selenium 0.0 mcg 0% Fluoride ~ Sterols Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0% Phytosterols ~ Other Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Alcohol 0.0 g Water 0.1 g Ash 0.1 g Caffeine ~ Theobromine ~

Footnotes for Spices, bay leaf

Source: Nutrient data for this listing was provided by USDA SR-21. Each "~" indicates a missing or incomplete value.

Percent Daily Values (%DV) are for adults or children aged 4 or older, and are based on a 2,000 calorie reference diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower based on your individual needs.

Nutrition Data's Opinion, Completeness Score™, Fullness Factor™, Rating, Estimated Glycemic Load (eGL), and Better Choices Substitutions™ are editorial opinions of NutritionData.com, given without warranty, and are not intended to replace the advice of a nutritionist or health-care professional. Nutrition Data's opinions and ratings are based on weighted averages of the nutrient densities of those nutrients for which the FDA has established Daily Values, and do not consider other nutrients that may be important to your health or take into account your individual needs. Consequently, Nutrition Data's higher-rated foods may not necessarily be healthier for you than lower-rated ones. All foods, regardless of their rating, have the potential to play an important role in your diet.

IF Rating™ is a trademark of Monica Reinagel. Data for the IF Rating was provided by inflammationfactor.com.

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/174/2#ixzz20zczDso5

Bay Leaf Substitute

Thyme. 1/4 teaspoon = 1 leaf.. It is no way equal but will give some flavour

Where it can be used

It can be used in food recipe as seasoning. It can be used in treating some medical conditions

How to Store

Store them in the freezer. Simply put them into Ziploc bag, and put them on your freezer shelf or in the shelves on the door. 

Recipe Using  Bay Leaf(Here I list only main dishes.. but Bay Leaf can be used in lot of dishes for decoration or just to add little flavour)

https://kitchensrecipe.com/?s=Bay+Leaf