Laurel (Bay Leaves)
Laurel (Laurus nobilis, Family Lauraceae) is used as a valuable flavoring agent in the culinary and food indus¬try. This plant is used in folk medicine, in stomachic and carminative remedies, and for the treatment of digestive disease. Laurel contains several compounds with antioxi¬dant activity (Table 9.1). Both the water extract and the non-polar fraction of leaves have been shown to possess high antioxidant activity, the former mainly because of its polyphenol content [47], and the latter for its high levels of terpenes [48]. A clinical trial showing that laurel improves glycemia and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes patients [49] makes this culinary herb a promising anti-diabetic agent.