Bay leaves are a common ingredient used in cooking to add flavor to soups, stews, and other savory dishes. However, they are typically added whole and then removed before eating the finished dish. There is a good reason why bay leaves are not meant to be eaten – they can be dangerous if swallowed whole or in large pieces.
Why You Should Not Eat Bay Leaves
Bay leaves contain compounds called eugenol and myrcene, which can be irritating to the digestive system if consumed in large quantities. Here are some of the main reasons you should avoid eating bay leaves:
- They are indigestible – Bay leaves have a tough, wooden texture that makes them difficult to chew and properly digest.
- Risk of choking – Attempting to swallow a whole bay leaf risks it getting lodged in the throat and blocking the airway, which could lead to choking.
- Gastrointestinal irritation – Eugenol and myrcene can cause irritation, inflammation, nausea, vomiting, and other digestive issues if bay leaves are swallowed.
- Unpleasant, bitter taste – Bay leaves have an unpleasant, bitter taste due to the presence of tannins and essential oils. The flavor is not meant to be consumed directly.
So while bay leaves can add anice subtle flavor to dishes during cooking, they need to be fished out and discarded before eating. Leaving bay leaves in food and accidentally consuming them leads to an increased risk of choking and/or gastrointestinal upset.
Anatomy of a Bay Leaf
To better understand why bay leaves are not meant for consumption, it helps to look at their anatomy and components:
Tough, Woody Texture
Bay laurel leaves have a very tough, woody texture reminiscent of tree bark. This is because the cell walls in the leaves contain lignified fiber cells that are difficult to break down. Attempting to chew or digest intact bay leaves requires a lot of force and effort.
Pointed Tip
The tapered shape of bay laurel leaves comes to a sharp point at the end. Swallowing the leaves whole presents a risk of the pointed tip getting stuck or piercing internal organs. Even tearing the leaves can leave behind sharp fragments.
Aromatic Essential Oils
The compounds that give bay leaves their aroma – like eugenol, myrcene, and cineole – are concentrated in the essential oils present. Ingesting these oils directly can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, or vomiting.
Tannins
Bay leaves also contain tannins, which have an astringent, bitter taste. Tannins bind to proteins and other molecules, causing a dry, puckering feeling in the mouth. Ingesting a lot of tannins from bay leaves would provide an unpleasant bitter flavor.
Tough Cell Walls
The cell walls in bay leaves are strengthened by lignin, a complex polymer that is difficult to break down. This further contributes to their hard, woody texture that resists chewing and digestion. Attempting to consume bay leaves essentially means swallowing splintery bits of plant fiber.
Dangers of Eating Bay Leaves
Eating bay leaves comes with short-term and long-term health risks you should keep in mind:
Choking Hazard
One of the biggest immediate dangers from eating bay leaves is choking. Bay leaves often get stuck in the throat when swallowed whole, either partially blocking the airway or fully lodging in the esophagus. This can lead to choking which prevents breathing, requiring first aid to remove the blockage.
Internal Organ Damage
The sharp, pointed tip of bay leaves can potentially puncture or perforate internal organs if swallowed. Cases of bay leaves piercing through the stomach or small intestines have been reported, which caused severe pain and required surgery to treat.
Digestive Irritation
Compounds in bay leaves like eugenol and tannins irritate the digestive tract when consumed directly. This can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and inflammation or lesions in the stomach and intestines.
Allergic Reactions
For those with sensitivities, bay leaf compounds may trigger allergic reactions. This includes upset stomach, hives, breathing difficulties, and anaphylaxis. People with known plant or spice allergies should altogether avoid consuming bay leaves.
Toxic Effects
While rare, ingesting very large doses of bay leaf essential oils could potentially have toxic effects on kidney and liver function. There are also concerns that culinary amounts may interact with medications like anticonvulsants and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Nutrient Malabsorption
The tannins and oils in bay leaves may interfere with nutrient absorption if frequently consumed, leading to deficiencies in iron and protein over time. This effect is more concerning in those with pre-existing nutrient absorption disorders.
Safe Bay Leaf Consumption
While eating whole bay leaves comes with risks, there are some safer ways to consume bay leaves if you wish to ingest their flavor:
Ground Bay Leaves
Ground bay leaves are a safer option than whole leaves. Grinding helps break down the fibrous cell walls, allowing flavors to release while reducing choking hazards and making them easier to digest. Use no more than 1/4 teaspoon ground per serving.
Bay Leaf Teas or Infusions
Steeping bay leaves in hot water makes a flavorful tea. The tannins and oils will infuse into the water without having to consume the actual leaves. Start with just 1 leaf per cup of water to avoid upsetting your stomach.
Bay Leaf Extract
Look for alcohol- or glycerine-based bay leaf extracts. A few drops provide flavor without containing much leaf fiber. Avoid essential oil extracts, as consuming essential oils carries its own risks.
Bay Leaf Powder
Bay leaf powder dissolves well for mixing into sauces, dips, and drinks. Just 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon will provide ample bay flavor. Introduce it gradually to avoid gastro issues.
Bay Leaf Oil
While bay leaf essential oil should not be ingested, you can add a couple drops to a diffuser or mixed into a neutral carrier oil for topical use. This allows you to benefit from the aroma.
When to Seek Help for Bay Leaf Ingestion
If you’ve accidentally swallowed a bay leaf or eaten a dish with bay leaves still in it, seek medical help if any concerning symptoms arise:
- Difficulty breathing or fully catching your breath
- Excessive coughing, gagging, or choking sensations
- Sharp pains in the throat, stomach, or intestines
- Vomiting or inability to keep down liquids
- Severe abdominal cramping or bloating
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Allergic reaction symptoms like hives, swelling, or dizziness
Don’t wait and hope milder digestive symptoms resolve on their own. It’s better to be examined and monitored to ensure the bay leaf passes safely through your system.
When to Call 911
If breathing becomes severely impaired or you cannot speak any words, call 911 immediately. Choking that blocks the airway is a medical emergency requiring prompt aid and removal of the blockage. Don’t delay seeking help in choking situations.
Cooking Safely with Bay Leaves
Bay leaves can still be used to impart flavor during cooking as long as proper precautions are followed:
Use Whole Leaves
When adding bay leaves to dishes like soups, stews, and broths, use only whole, intact leaves. Avoid any ground, torn, or broken leaves which could leave behind fragments.
Remove Before Serving
Bay leaves should always be fished out and discarded before the final dish is served. Ensure no stray leaves remain hidden in the food.
Simmer, Don’t Boil
Gentle simmering helps bay leaves infuse their flavor without breaking down too much. Boiling for too long may cause leaves to disintegrate.
Don’t Leftovers Unattended
With leftover soups or stews containing bay leaves, promptly remove any remaining leaves and discard them. Don’t eat leftovers with bay leaves still inside.
Use Cheesecloth
For easier removal, you can bundle bay leaves in a cheesecloth “sachet” or metal tea infuser when adding to the dish. This helps catch all the leaves at once.
Label Dishes Containing Bay Leaves
Clearly label any dishes, like large batches of soup, that contain whole bay leaves during cooking so others know to remove them later.
What to Do If You Accidentally Swallow a Bay Leaf
If you mistakenly ingest a bay leaf, here are some steps to help minimize risks:
Drink Fluids
Sipping warm broth, tea, or water can help soften the bay leaf and ease its passage through your digestive tract. Stay hydrated.
Eat Some Bread
Consuming a slice of bread may help cushion the bay leaf during digestion and prevent its sharp edges from poking anything internally.
Take a Fiber Supplement
A fiber supplement like psyllium husk can provide bulk around the leaf to protect the intestines. But avoid overdoing high-fiber foods which may worsen obstructions.
Avoid Additional Irritants
Don’t consume anything else that could further irritate the digestive system, like spicy foods, alcohol, or NSAID pain relievers.
Check Your Stool
Check your bowel movements for the next few days to confirm when the bay leaf has passed and been eliminated from your body.
Seek Medical Care if Needed
See a doctor if you experience persistent pain, vomiting, bleeding, or other concerning symptoms following swallowing a bay leaf.
Conclusion
Bay leaves are purely for culinary use and come with safety concerns if consumed directly. While small amounts of bay leaf may pass through undigested, swallowing whole leaves risks choking or internal damage. Use caution when cooking with bay leaves: monitor dishes containing them, remove prior to eating, and discard any accidentally swallowed to be safe. Being aware of bay leaf risks allows you to utilize their benefits in food while avoiding the hazards from eating them.