quantities are generally considered safe, but medicinal or concentrated use deserves more caution. Whole bay leaves are also not meant to be swallowed because they remain tough and can present a choking or digestive-tract hazard.
Be particularly cautious with frequent or concentrated consumption if you:
- Take diabetes medication, because bay leaf may affect blood-glucose control.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding; reliable safety information for medicinal quantities is limited.
- Are preparing for surgery; a review recommends avoiding medicinal use before surgery because of potential interactions with anesthesia/medications.
- Take multiple prescription medicines
