Are Bay Leaf and Cinnamomum Verum in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Lauraceae.

Can you substitute Bay Leaf for Cinnamomum Verum?

They share the Lauraceae family, so they can sometimes substitute in recipes — with notable differences in aroma.

Compare · per-herb profile

Bay Leaf vs Cinnamomum Verum

Laurus nobilis · Cinnamomum verum

Bay Leaf

Laurus nobilis

D No Clinical Evidence

Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Laurus
Primary use: culinary

Laurus nobilis is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous (smooth) leaves. It is in the flowering plant family Lauraceae. According to Muer, Jahn, & Sauerbier, the stem can be 1 metre in diameter and the tree can be as high as 20 metres. It is native to the…

Cinnamomum Verum

Cinnamomum verum

D No Clinical Evidence

Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Cinnamomum
Primary use: culinary

Cinnamomum verum, also known as true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. The inner bark of the tree is historically regarded as the spice cinnamon, though this term was later generalized to include C. cassi…

At a glance

· Both in Lauraceae, but different genera (Laurus vs Cinnamomum).
· Both are primarily culinary.
· Evidence tiers — Bay Leaf: D; Cinnamomum Verum: D.