This is an interesting herbal tea that, in my opinion, is not as delicious as some other herbal teas. But for sure, I like to sip a cup of bay leaf tea from time to time. It really has some relaxing effects, and it is very easy to make bay-leaf tea at home. It’s so simple.
Before I show you the simplest bay leaf tea recipe, let’s learn more about bay leaves.
It’s good to have some information about the tea, especially if you are brewing it for the first time.
What Is a Bay Leaf?
The bay leaf is the leaf of the perennial evergreen Laurus nobilis, sometimes known as the Laurel. Laurel trees belong to the Lauraceae plant family, which is related to cinnamon and sassafras.
Turkish Bay, Mediterranean Bay, and Grecian Bay are all names for these Laurel tree leaves. Along with these, California bay leaves, Mexican bay leaves, and Indian bay leaves are available on the market.
Turkish bay leaves are different from California bay leaves. They are two different species of similar plants. The shape of the leaf is the easiest way to tell the difference.
Turkish bay leaves are somewhat more oval in shape, with either a little point at the tip or being totally round. California bay leaves are long and thin, with a spearhead-like tip.
Turkish bay leaves have a tea-like, slightly menthol flavor profile, whereas California bay leaves have a powerful, eucalyptus-like flavor. Dried Turkish bay leaves are preferable for recipes since fresh California bay leaves might overpower the flavors of the meal.
If you buy fresh bay leaves in the United States, they are nearly always California bay leaves.
How To Make Bay Leaf Tea The Perfect Way
It is very simple to make bay leaf tea. All you’ll need are dry bay leaves and water.
Just remember to get the Turkish bay leaf. California bay leaves should not be used to make tea since they make an unpleasant cup of tea.
Recipe for Bay Leaf Tea
Ingredients
- 2-3 whole, dry Turkish bay leaves
- 1 cup (240 mL; 8 fl oz) water
- Honey or sugar to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the bay leaves to the water and boil for 3 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat, cover it, and set it aside for 5–6 minutes to steep the bay leaves. After that, remove the leaves. You can use a slotted spoon or tablespoon to remove the bay leaves.
- In a teacup, pour the hot Bay Leaf tea. You may sweeten it with honey or sugar.
Brewing Tips
When brewing tea, whether herbal or true tea (teas from Camellia sinensis), always use high-quality water. It is not recommended to use tap water. Try to use spring-bottled water.
Second, when making a new tea, follow the brewing directions. Change the steep duration and quantity of leaves if you don’t like the flavor. If you want a stronger flavor, use more leaves; if you want a weaker flavor, use fewer leaves.
Third, you can experiment with the steep time of herbal teas. You can steep your tea for a longer period of time to test whether you enjoy the flavor.
When you prepare true tea, this is not the case. True tea will become bitter if steeped for longer than the recommended period.
Bay Leaf Tea Benefits
There is limited research available about the benefits of bay leaf tea. The majority of the research is on bay leaves and their application as a food ingredient.
According to some studies, bay leaf tea is mainly used to treat stomachaches, clear up mucus in the lungs, and treat colds, and sore throat. It is also known that it helps with indigestion and may help reduce anxiety and stress.
Digestive Aid
Bay leaf tea can help soothe stomach problems. Certain enzymes present in bay leaves aid to speed up digestion and help you get more nutrients from your food.
It can also help with flatulence, intestinal gas and discomfort, and abdominal cramping.
May help reduce anxiety and stress
Bay leaves contain linalool, which is a terpene found in over 200 plant species. It gives certain plants a flowery aroma as well as a spicy scent.
Linalool has been found in several studies to offer anti-anxiety and calming effects.
Linalool smell has been found to serve as a natural anxiolytic, meaning it reduces anxiety symptoms and stress perceptions.
Other sources will tell you that this herbal tea is helpful for a variety of problems, but the study available today is solely on the leaves as a cooking component and the essential oil isolated from the leaves. This herbal tea is unquestionably beneficial to your health.
Potential Side Effects
Some individuals should avoid drinking bay leaf tea or, at the very least, consult their doctor before doing so.
If you have blood sugar issues, you should avoid bay leaf tea, according to some research. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should avoid drinking it. Furthermore, because of its relaxing qualities, bay leaf tea should not be consumed if you have problems with your central nervous system.
If you are allergic to plants from the Lauraceae family, don’t drink this tea.
My advice is to consult with your doctor if you have any health issues before adding some new herbal tea to your diet. It is good to know the benefits of some teas, but it is also good to be aware of the possible side effects of those teas.
Does Bay Leaf Tea Have Caffeine?
Bay leaf tea is a caffeine-free herbal beverage. It has no caffeine. Because of this, as well as its anti-anxiety and anti-stress qualities, many people advocate it as a tea that can help you sleep better.
Finally, I will finish this post as I started. Maybe not the most flavorful herbal tea for my taste. It’s easy to make and a super healthy tea.
If you’ve never brewed it before, it is good to try it now. I’m sure that you have dry bay leaves in your kitchen that you use for cooking. So take some leaves and brew your first bay leaf tea. Just keep in mind that Turkish bay leaf is the best choice for tea.
