Evidence supporting the use of: Sweet Bay
For the health condition: Dyspepsia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis), commonly known as bay leaf, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Mediterranean region. Historically, bay leaves have been used as a carminative and digestive aid, purported to relieve indigestion, bloating, and other symptoms associated with dyspepsia. Traditional herbal texts and ethnobotanical sources often mention bay leaf infusions or decoctions being administered after meals to soothe digestive discomfort and stimulate appetite.
However, scientific evidence to support these uses is limited. While bay leaves contain essential oils (such as eugenol and cineole) and other phytochemicals that have demonstrated mild antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies, robust clinical trials in humans evaluating their efficacy for dyspepsia are lacking. Most available data are either anecdotal or derived from in vitro or animal studies, which do not directly translate to clinical effectiveness.
In summary, the use of Sweet Bay for dyspepsia is primarily justified by traditional practice rather than scientific validation. The strength of evidence for its effectiveness is weak, warranting further research before it can be recommended based on modern scientific standards.
Other ingredients used for Dyspepsia
cutchallspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
apple
artichoke
barberry
basil
myrobalan
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
black pepper
blackberry
rice
chamomile
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
fennel
flavonols
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
Indian tinospora
licorice root
marshmallow
mustard seed
oregon grape
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
plantain
plum fruit
raspberry
slippery elm bark
sphaeranthus indicus
triphala
gastrodia
cardamom
papaya
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
swertia
peony
boxthorne
yarrow
prickly ash
myrrh
chrysanthemum
dioscorea
fern
hyacinth bean
sweetgums
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
wood betony
white oak
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
geranium
Avens
Angelica
acacia
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Amomum
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Ananain
Abuta
Aniseed myrtle
Arisaema
Black Seed
Bai Ji
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Belleric myrobalan
Bistort
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bael
Boswellia
Banyan
Bur-Reed
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Bitter principals
Black root
banana
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Centaury
Cinnamomum
Combretum quadrangulare
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Curcumen
Catechu
Campylandra fimbriata
Colombo
Corktree
Curcuma
Chirata
Costus
Colocynth
Celosia
Dianthrone
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Embelia
Goldthread
Galangal
Lotus
Little ironweed
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Other health conditions supported by Sweet Bay
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Cuts
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Emphysema
Fatigue
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Itching
Laryngitis
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Pleurisy
PMS (general)
Poison Ivy or Oak
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sinus Infection