Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, including systems such as Ayurveda and folk medicine in the Mediterranean region. In these traditions, bay leaf has been used for various digestive complaints, including bloating, indigestion, and general stomach discomfort. Its use for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) specifically, however, is not well documented in historical texts; rather, it is more broadly recommended for digestive health. The proposed benefits are often attributed to its essential oils, such as eugenol and cineole, which are thought to have mild anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and carminative properties.

From a scientific standpoint, there is a lack of high-quality clinical studies evaluating bay leaf for IBS. The available evidence is limited to in vitro studies and animal models, which suggest possible gastrointestinal benefits, but these findings have not been translated into robust human clinical trials. Therefore, while bay leaf is traditionally used to support digestive health (and by extension, may be recommended for IBS symptoms), there is insufficient scientific validation to support its efficacy for this specific condition. The overall evidence rating is low due to the absence of direct clinical research.

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