Bay Leaf
<p><b>Bay leaf</b> (plural <b>bay leaves</b>) refers to the aromatic leaf of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_laurel" title="Bay laurel" class="mw-redirect">bay laurel</a> (<i>Laurus nobilis</i>, Lauraceae). </p>
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Fresh or dried bay leaves are used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and fragrance. </p>
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The leaves are often used to flavor soups, stews, braises and <i>pâtés</i> in Mediterranean cuisine. </p>
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The fresh leaves are very mild and do not develop their full flavor until several weeks after picking and drying.<sup id="cite_ref-Spice_Trade:Bay_Leaf_0-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_leaf#cite_note-Spice_Trade:Bay_Leaf-0">[1]</a></sup>
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In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages" title="Middle Ages">Middle Ages</a>, bay leaves were believed to induce <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortions" title="Abortions" class="mw-redirect">abortions</a> and to have many <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical" title="Magical" class="mw-redirect">magical</a> qualities. They were once used to keep moths away, owing to the leaf's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauric_acid" title="Lauric acid">lauric acid</a> content that gives it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticide" title="Insecticide">insecticidal</a> properties. </p>
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They have many properties that make them useful for treating high blood sugar, migraine headaches, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathogenic_bacteria" title="Pathogenic bacteria">bacterial</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungal_infection_in_animals" title="Fungal infection in animals" class="mw-redirect">fungal infections</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_ulcers" title="Gastric ulcers" class="mw-redirect">gastric ulcers</a>. </p>
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Bay leaves and berries have been used for their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astringent" title="Astringent">astringent</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carminative" title="Carminative">carminative</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphoretic" title="Diaphoretic" class="mw-redirect">diaphoretic</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestive" title="Digestive">digestive</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diuretic" title="Diuretic">diuretic</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emetic" title="Emetic" class="mw-redirect">emetic</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomachic" title="Stomachic">stomachic</a> properties. </p>
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Bay oil, or oil of bays (<i>oleum lauri</i>) is used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liniments" title="Liniments" class="mw-redirect">liniments</a> for bruises and sprains. </p>
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Bay leaf has been used as an herbal remedy for headaches. It contains compounds, called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenolide" title="Parthenolide">parthenolides</a>, which have proven useful in the treatment of migraines. </p>
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Bay leaf has also been shown to help the body process <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin" title="Insulin">insulin</a> more efficiently, which leads to lower blood sugar levels, and to reduce the effects of stomach ulcers. </p>
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Bay leaf contains <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenol" title="Eugenol">eugenol</a>, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. </p>
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Bay leaf is also an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifungal_medication" title="Antifungal medication">antifungal</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibacterial" title="Antibacterial">antibacterial</a>, and has also been used to treat <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatism" title="Rheumatism">rheumatism</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenorrhea" title="Amenorrhea" class="mw-redirect">amenorrhea</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colic" title="Colic">colic</a>.</p>