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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayThat jar of bay leaves in your spice rack may have a second life, just not necessarily the one you’ve seen all over the internet. Some of the simplest bay leaf uses beyond cooking involve scent: a simmer pot, a drawer freshener and an herbal infusion. But the popular trick of putting bay leaves in your pantry to keep bugs away is a different story, because extension experts say there is no evidence it works.
The short answer: bay leaf can add a woodsy, herbal scent to a simmer pot or drawer sachet, and it makes a mild herbal tea if you strain out the leaf. Don’t count on it to keep pantry pests away, and don’t eat the whole leaf.
Here are three ways to use it, plus an honest look at the pantry trick.
Don’t intentionally eat whole bay leaves. They remain stiff and can have sharp edges that may cause choking or injury. A case report in the Canadian Journal of Surgery describes a swallowed bay leaf perforating a man’s bowel, and notes the traditional advice to remove bay leaves from food before serving. NC State Extension adds that the leaves are sharp, that large amounts of whole leaves can cause obstruction, and that sweet bay is a problem for cats, dogs and horses. Keep whole leaves, sachets and simmer pots out of pets’ reach.
Three bay leaf uses beyond cooking, and the pantry trick everyone talks about
These tips are for true bay leaf, the kind sold as Turkish or Mediterranean bay. Some other leaves sold as bay, such as Indian bay leaf, come from different plants and smell different.
1Make a simmer pot
A bay leaf adds a woodsy, herbal note that pairs well with citrus and warm spices. Try 2 or 3 bay leaves, a strip of orange peel, a cinnamon stick and a few cloves in a small pot with a few cups of water. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat down low and top up the water as it drops. Our recipe for DIY simmer pots and stovetop potpourri has more combinations, and our 30 tips for keeping your kitchen smelling fresh covers other ways to freshen the room.
Treat it like any other cooking. The National Fire Protection Association says unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Never leave a simmer pot unattended, and don’t let the water boil away. Stay home while it simmers, check it often and set a timer. If you have pets, keep the pot out of their reach.
2Fill a drawer sachet
Dried bay leaves can add a mild herbal scent to a drawer or closet, and they’re an inexpensive freshener. Put 6 to 8 fully dry leaves in a small cloth pouch or tied square of muslin, and crush them slightly to release the aroma. Add a cinnamon stick or some dried lavender if you like. Tuck it into a drawer or a shoe, and replace the leaves when the scent fades.
Make sure the leaves are completely dry, or they can go musty in a closed drawer. Keep the pouch where pets and small children can’t reach it. Think of it as a freshener, not protection.
3Steep a cup of bay leaf tea
Bay leaf tea is a quiet, slightly herbal drink. For a simple herbal infusion, steep one dried bay leaf in a cup of hot water for about 5 to 10 minutes, then strain it and discard the leaf. If you like herbal waters, our guide to rosemary water uses covers a similar idea.
Treat it as something to enjoy, not a treatment. A small, 30-day trial often cited for bay leaf and blood sugar studied 40 people with type 2 diabetes who took capsules of ground bay leaf, not tea. It reported lower blood glucose and cholesterol, but that study doesn’t show that bay leaf tea has the same effects. If you take medication for diabetes or have another condition affected by blood sugar, ask your healthcare professional before using bay leaf regularly as a supplement or herbal remedy.
4Pantry pests: skip the bay leaf trick
This is the popular one, and the evidence is thin. University of Minnesota Extension says, “there is no evidence that placing bay leaves or sticks of spearmint gum in a cupboard will prevent or get rid of stored food insect pests.” There is some lab support for the idea. A 1986 study found that three compounds from bay leaves repelled adult flour beetles when added to flour, and that whole bay leaves showed repellent properties. A lab test with flour is not the same as a pantry shelf, and the same study found another bay compound, alpha pinene, attracted the beetles. Other lab studies have tested concentrated bay essential oil, which is a different thing from a dried leaf on a shelf.
If you like having bay leaves in your pantry, treat them as scent or decoration, not pest control. What actually works is below.
What helps prevent pantry pests
- Use tight containers. Both University of Minnesota Extension and Purdue Extension advise storing dry foods in sealed containers made of glass, metal or heavy plastic.
- Check packages before you buy. University of Minnesota Extension says to look for broken seals, holes and other signs of insects.
- Buy less of what attracts pests. UConn Extension suggests small quantities of susceptible foods, especially in summer, and Purdue suggests using up dried goods within roughly two to four months.
- Freeze if you’re unsure. Both University of Minnesota and Purdue Extension say to freeze suspect dry goods at 0°F for at least four days. Check that your freezer actually reaches 0°F.
- Clean the cracks. Vacuum cabinets and shelves, especially corners, where spilled flour and crumbs collect.
Already have bugs? Check all your dry goods, throw out anything clearly infested, then vacuum and wipe the shelves, especially cracks and corners, before you restock. Rice, flour and cereal are common targets, so see whether rice needs to be refrigerated and our list of foods that last longer than you think.
Bay leaf questions, answered
Do bay leaves keep bugs out of the pantry?
Not reliably. University of Minnesota Extension says there is no evidence they work in a cupboard. A 1986 lab study found some repellent effects in flour, but that is not proof for a home pantry.
See also
Do bay leaves repel cockroaches?
Popular articles say so, but I didn’t find university guidance recommending bay leaves for roaches. UC Integrated Pest Management recommends storing food in tightly sealed containers, sealing cracks and openings, and using traps and baits, and says good sanitation and exclusion are important.
Can you burn bay leaves?
I found no research on burning bay leaves specifically. In its guidance on incense, the American Lung Association says no indoor burning is completely safe because it adds pollution to the air. A simmer pot gives you the scent without smoke.
Is bay leaf tea safe to drink?
Many people drink it steeped and strained, though I found no official safety guidelines for regular use. The risk is swallowing the leaf, so strain it. If you take diabetes medication, ask your healthcare professional before using it regularly.
Are bay leaves poisonous to pets?
NC State Extension lists sweet bay as a problem for cats, dogs and horses, with a low severity rating. Keep simmer pots, sachets and loose leaves out of reach, and call your vet if a pet eats some.
Can you swallow a bay leaf?
It’s best not to. Whole leaves remain stiff and can have sharp edges. If you swallow a whole leaf and develop trouble swallowing, persistent pain, vomiting or other concerning symptoms, seek medical advice promptly.
The bottom line
Bay leaf is at its best as a quiet scent in a simmer pot or a drawer sachet, and as an occasional cup of tea. It is not a proven pantry pest repellent, so seal your dry goods, check packages and freeze what you’re unsure about.
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