They are not the same. Bay leaves are good for seasoning and Eucalyptus will help keep fleas away and the oil is used for medicinal purposes, as you believed, Vicki. I do not know if they are edible. I would check before I ate them.
Well, since there are no fleas in this area of the country the canned goods aren't much benefit to us.
I'm considering dumping them in compost since the flavor might tend toward bitter, but will probably wait it out and taste test it this winter. I'm positive the leaves are eucalyptus.
Husband did more research on bay & eucalyptus last night: Bay is in the Laurel family, Eucalyptus is a Myrtle. He found there are 2 types of trees very similar to bay trees: Mountain Laurel & Cherry Laurel - both poisonous.
I was hesitant to accept the leaves and only took 2 because previously he gave me wild dill which turned out to be wild fennel. But he then took my jar and stuffed it full. I meant to throw them out later because they didin't look like bay leaves, but forgot about my intentions and used the things. I have been given eucalyptus leaves before and made a nice tea from them - good for other things besides fleas.
It's just nice to know what you have so it can be used properly.
Caution: watch out for people giving you herbs when
you aren't sure what they are.