It’s a leaf you usually find in a pot of soup. Yet more and more people are slipping a dried bay leaf under their pillow before going to sleep. Where does the habit come from, what is it supposed to do, and what does science actually say?
In short
- Putting a bay leaf under the pillow is an old tradition that has gone viral again on social media.
- People do it for the scent, for relaxation and, in some traditions, for “good dreams.”
- Bay leaf oil contains compounds also found in other relaxing scents, such as linalool.
- But no study has tested the effect of a bay leaf under a pillow on sleep.
An old habit back in fashion
Bay laurel has been part of folk traditions for centuries, from the laurel crowns of antiquity to the leaves kept in the house for luck. Placing a leaf under the pillow is one of those habits that resurfaces regularly. Sites like wecb have asked why “everyone” is doing it, and the habit keeps spreading online.
What people use it for
The reasons people give are always the same:
- The scent: a crushed bay leaf releases a warm, slightly camphor-like aroma that many people find soothing.
- The ritual: a small gesture before bed, like a cup of herbal tea, that signals it’s time to slow down.
- Tradition: in some folk beliefs, bay leaves are associated with protection or prophetic dreams.
What’s in a bay leaf
A 2017 study published in the journal Molecules analyzed the essential oil of bay leaves from southern Italy. Its main components: 1,8-cineole (31.9%), the fresh compound also found in eucalyptus, sabinene (12.2%) and linalool (10.2%), a molecule also present in lavender.
Linalool is the most interesting one here. The authors cite earlier research reporting sedative effects of linalool on the central nervous system. But that research tested the molecule itself, not a dried leaf under a pillow, and the 2017 study didn’t test any effect on sleep.
How to do it, if you want to try
Use one or two dried bay leaves, lightly crushed to release the scent, slipped inside the pillowcase or under the pillow. Replace them every few days, once the smell fades. Dried bay leaves are cheap and easy to find in the spice aisle. Make sure the leaf is fully dry, so it doesn’t stain the fabric, and keep it out of reach of pets and young children, who might chew on it. It’s the same logic as other scent tricks, like boiling lemon peels with ginger or a glass of salt in the bathroom.
The limit
Let’s be honest: no study shows that a bay leaf under the pillow improves sleep. Online claims that it “lowers blood pressure” are not backed by any research we could find. At best, it’s a pleasant scent and a calming ritual. Avoid it if you’re allergic or sensitive to strong smells, and keep your pillow clean, since yellow stains on a pillow can be a warning sign. If you sleep badly over the long term, talk to a doctor.
That’s the trick.
