Cinnamomum tamala, Indian bay leaf, also known as tejpata,  tejapatta,Malabar leaf, Indian bark, Indian cassia, or malabathrum, is a tree in the family Lauraceae that is native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and China. It can grow up to 20 m (66 ft) tall. Its leaves have a clove-like aroma with a hint of peppery taste; they are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is thought to have been one of the major sources of the medicinal plant leaves known in classic and medieval times as malabathrum.

Bay leaves are found to possess anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, all of which can help to manage certain health conditions. Even Ayurveda considers this herb as an effective home remedy to cure various ailments.

Health Benefits:

1. Bay leaves may have an impact on the gastrointestinal system by preventing gastric damage and promoting urination. This helps release toxins in the body and aids in the health of the kidneys. Furthermore, the organic compounds found in bay leaves are very effective in helping with an upset stomach, soothing irritable bowel syndrome or even making it easy to digest food.
2. Bay leaf is also a source of essential oil. The essential oil extracted from this leaf can be used to alleviate various respiratory conditions.
3. Bay leaf has been shown to provide antifungal properties, which can combat fungal conditions. These properties along with its vitamin C content can protect the skin from any kind of infection and irritation. 
4. Helps reduce stress and anxiety, Also, it has natural soothing qualities which can help you calm down and can reduce the chances of depression too. 
5. Bay leaf contains sesquiterpene lactones, which are known to fight inflammation by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, which is one of the causes behind inflammation. 
6. The heart tends to perform better due to rutin and caffeic acid, both of which are found in bay leaves. These properties can strengthen the heart’s capillary walls and help in lowering bad cholesterol levels. 
7. Bay leaves are loaded with properties that can work wonders for your hair and lead to hair growth. All you need to do is to steep bay leaves in water and then rub them on your scalp after shampoo to get rid of dandruff.
8. According to the Journal of Nutrition Research, bay leaves showed promising results as an anticancer agent. The unique combination of antioxidants and organic compounds in bay leaves including phytonutrients, catechins, linalool, and parthenolide help to prevent your body from the effects of cancer-causing free radicals. 

5 Possible Uses for the Bay Leaf:

1. Some studies suggest that bay leaf may help inhibit the growth of breast and colorectal cancer cells. However, those findings are preliminary and some of the research is outdated. To confirm this theory, more studies including humans need to be completed.
2. Bay leaf has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation in the wound area. In older experiments conducted on rats, scientists found that bay leaf had the ability to assist with wound healing.
3. A 2014 study investigated whether bay leaf extract could help prevent kidney stones. The study found that, along with eight other traditional medicinal herbs, bay leaf was able to reduce the amount of urease in your body. Urease is an enzyme that, when out of balance, can lead several gastric disorders, including kidney stones. But the scientists conducting the study suggested that more research should be done to understand how these herbs function.

Side Effects:

Bay leaf is primarily safe to consume. However, it is essential to discard the leaf from dishes before serving to prevent someone choking on them. Its rigid texture and sharp edges make it difficult to chew and digest. The use of bay leaf should not be for pregnant women. Moreover, consuming large quantities of bay leaves may cause drowsiness. Hence, do not have the entire leaf by mouth.

Summary:

Bay leaf is a nutritious herb that imparts excellent flavour and taste to your food with various health benefits. It is so versatile that adding its leaf to your foods helps treat diabetes and prevents digestive disorders. At the same time, bay leaf oil and extract work as a remedy for arthritis, inflammation, and skin diseases. In addition, it increases the amount of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in a dish and plays a vital role in improving health.