How to Make Bay Leaf Tea

Bay leaf tea is one of the simplest herbal teas you can make at home with ingredients you might already have! It’s warm, slightly spicy, and surprisingly fragrant. It breathes new life into your pantry staple, and you’ll end up with a cup that is cozy, calming, and comforting.

Bay leaves aren’t just for soups and stews! They actually make a wonderfully soothing tea. Once I discovered how beautifully their earthy, aromatic flavor translates into a cup, I was hooked. It’s become one of my favorite ways to enjoy their delicate fragrance, especially when I want something warm and caffeine-free. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do. Happy sipping!

Bay Leaf Tea Benefits

Bay leaf (or laurel leaf) offers a lot of potential health benefits as it’s a good source of vitamins and minerals like manganese, calcium, potassium, and iron. When consumed as a tea, it may:

• Aid digestion, reduce bloating, and relieve upset stomachs
• Reduce inflammation in the body through its anti-inflammatory properties
• May also help combat oxidative stress in the body due to its natural antioxidants
• Regulate blood sugar levels or glucose levels and reduce diabetes risk factors
• Support respiratory health by relieving mild respiratory issues like congestion and coughs
• Promote relaxation and improve sleep
• Support heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, which may lower the risk of heart disease
• Support a healthy immune system by warding off infections through its vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C content. 

Ingredient Notes

Dried Bay Leaves (preferably organic): They provide the signature flavor and aroma. When steeped, they release natural oils and compounds that give the tea a slightly bitter, herbal, and mildly spicy taste. 

Water: Extracts the flavor and compounds from the bay leaves, making them drinkable.

Small strip of orange peel, cinnamon stick, or drizzle of honey: Optional. Any of these will complement the flavors of the bay leaf tea, making it citrusy, warm, or sweet, depending on your preference. 

How To Make Bay Leaf Tea

1. Rinse the bay leaves under cool water.
2. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, then add the leaves and lower the heat. Simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes, uncovered.
3. Remove from heat and steep 2 to 3 minutes longer if you prefer a stronger brew.
4. Strain into a mug and enjoy as is, or sweeten with honey and add a hint of orange peel or cinnamon if desired. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Use dried instead of fresh leaves for this recipe. Fresh bay leaves may make your tea taste more bitter or grassy. 
• To make your tea more aromatic, you can also try crushing or tearing the leaves before steeping them.
• You can also use lemon, cardamom pods, mint leaves, maple syrup, cloves, or other spices to complement the flavors of this tea.
• Let the tea simmer gently, rather than steeping it in boiling water, to draw out the flavor-rich components of the leaves fully. 
• Use filtered water for a cleaner, more enjoyable brew.
• This tea may appear pale compared to many other teas, but if you following my instructions, I promise, it is packed with way more flavor than you would ever guess!
• This tea is best enjoyed warm, but it’s also good served chilled over ice.
• If you suffer from GERD or if you experience heartburn, indigestion, nausea, or any allergic reaction after sipping a cup, then it’s best to avoid drinking bay leaf tea. 
• If you take any prescription medications, consult with your healthcare provider before drinking bay leaf tea regularly, as it may interact with certain drugs.
• Also, it’s best not to drink this tea if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid any potential side effects.

Storage

Store any leftover tea in an airtight container or glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator. Reheat the bay leaf tea on the stovetop or in a mug in the microwave and consume it within 2 days for the best flavor. 

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