Bay Leaf Under the Pillow: The Viral TikTok Sleep Ritual and What It Really Does

A surprising bedtime ritual is gaining traction across TikTok and wellness newsletters: placing a bay leaf under your pillow before sleep. Rooted in folklore and repackaged for modern sleep struggles, the trend promises calmer nights through something as simple as an aromatic kitchen staple.

Bay leaf, commonly known as tej patta in Indian households, has long been used to enhance the flavour of curries, soups and stews. But beyond the kitchen, this humble leaf has a symbolic past. In ancient Greece and Rome, laurel wreaths represented victory, wisdom and honour. Today, the same plant—Laurus nobilis—has found a new identity as a natural sleep aid for the social media generation.

According to believers of the trend, the dried bay leaf releases a mild, soothing fragrance when kept close to the head during sleep. This aroma is thought to create a calming environment, helping reduce anxiety and mental restlessness—two of the most common barriers to quality sleep. While the practice may sound unusual, many users online report falling asleep faster or waking up feeling more refreshed after trying it for a few nights.

From a scientific perspective, experts say scent can play a meaningful role in relaxation. The human sense of smell is closely linked to the limbic system, the part of the brain that manages emotions, memory and stress responses. Bay leaves contain aromatic compounds such as linalool and 1,8-cineole, which have been studied for their potential calming and parasympathetic effects—the body’s natural “rest and digest” state. While bay leaf alone is not a medical treatment for insomnia, its scent may gently support relaxation.

Sleep coaches also point out that the ritual itself matters as much as the ingredient. The act of selecting a leaf, slightly cracking it to release its aroma, and placing it inside the pillowcase becomes a sensory cue for the brain. Over time, this repeated action can condition the mind to associate the smell and movement with winding down for the night. This psychological signal may help reduce pre-sleep tension, which often disrupts rest more than short sleep duration.

For those curious to try the trend, the routine is simple. Choose one clean, fully dried bay leaf without mould. Gently bend it until it cracks slightly, then place it inside the pillowcase near the edge to avoid discomfort. Dim the lights, step away from screens, and take a few slow breaths while noticing the subtle scent before settling in.

While there is no guarantee of deeper sleep, the bay leaf under the pillow trend highlights an important idea: small, mindful bedtime rituals can positively influence sleep quality. For many, the comfort lies not just in the aroma, but in the feeling of actively preparing the mind and body for rest—one quiet leaf at a time.