A warm cup of handmade tea has a delightfully reassuring quality, especially when it’s brewed using an ingredient that has likely been lying quietly in the kitchen cupboard all along.

A friend suggested that I try a basic bay leaf infusion, which is how I first learned about bay leaf tea. I found it fascinating. I had never considered bay leaves to be something you really brew into a cup of tea, but rather something you add to soups, rice, or stews and take out before serving.

So I tried it.

The scent was the first thing I noticed. It was unexpectedly calming, earthy, and herbal. It brought back memories of the comforting aroma of cooking in the kitchen..

Bay Leaf Tea (Bay Leaf Infusion) — Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Tea

Bay leaf tea is a simple herbal infusion made from culinary bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) and hot water. Bay leaves contain polyphenols and other plant compounds with antioxidant activity, and laboratory/animal research has reported anti-inflammatory effects. However, evidence that bay-leaf tea itself treats inflammation or medical conditions in humans is still limited.

The recipe below is best viewed as a caffeine-free wellness beverage, not a treatment for diabetes, high cholesterol, gout, arthritis, or other conditions.

🌿 Ingredients

Makes 1–2 servings

3–4 dried culinary bay leaves
2 cups (475 ml) water
1–2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, optional
½–1 teaspoon honey, optional
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
2–3 thin slices fresh ginger, optional

Important: Use food-grade Laurus nobilis bay leaves. Don’t substitute an unidentified ornamental plant or another species simply called “bay.”

Gardening