Tag: Eating bay leaves

The persistent myth that bay leaves are toxic if swallowed is actually a confusion with a few different, unrelated plants. In reality, fresh culinary bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) are not poisonous, but eating them whole is still not recommended for other critical reasons.

According to research, the culinary bay leaves (Laurus nobilis) most commonly found in grocery stores are not poisonous to humans. However, a deeply ingrained culinary myth suggests that you should never eat a bayleaf, and while not toxic, there are important reasons why this tough, fibrous herb is typically removed from dishes before serving.

Most recipes explicitly instruct cooks to remove bay leaves before serving, a practice that leads many to believe they are poisonous. The truth is, while not toxic, the question of what happens if you eat too much bay leaves centers on significant physical and mechanical risks to your digestive system.

A popular culinary myth suggests bay leaves are poisonous, yet the common supermarket varieties of *Laurus nobilis* are not toxic to humans. The real danger lies in swallowing the stiff, sharp leaf, which can pose a physical hazard, such as choking or digestive irritation.