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Bay Laurel as an Herb
(Laurus nobilis)
Also called Sweet Bay, this evergreen is native to the Mediterranean. The Sweet Bay is a small tree, growing in Britain. It has been cultivated in Britain since the 16th century, and is still grown commercially in many parts of the world today. The plant's aromatic leaves and essential oil are valued for culinary and medicinal use.
Crowns and wreaths for heroes and poets were made from the Bay Laurel. It's also used as as decoration during the Christmas season.
Household tip: Some say that by sprinkling the crushed leaves in your cupboards you can keep out cockroaches and other insects.
In addition to its culinary popularity, bay laurel also has numerous medicinal benefits.
Bay Laurel leaves, berries and oil all have excitant and narcotic properties.
The leaves and fruit are very rarely used internally. They were formerly used to treat hysteria, amenorrhoea, flatulent colic, etc.
The essential oil of Bay Laurel is used in massage oils to treat arthritis and rheumatism.
In aromatherapy, Bay Laurel is used to treat earaches and high blood pressure. Oil of Bays is used externally for sprains, bruises, etc., and sometimes dropped into the ears to relieve pain.
Bay leaf tea is sometimes used as an external treatment for dandruff or itchy scalp. A poultice made with the boiled leaves is a common natural cold remedy when applied directly to the chest. Other medicinal uses of bay laurel include treating digestive problems, stimulating appetite and regulating menstruation. The fruit was once used to promote abortion, as it causes the uterus to contract, but this is extremely dangerous and no longer practiced today.
Folklore
- burned to enhance psychic powers
- burned to produce visions
- placed in windows to protect against lightning striking your house
- wish-making (it is said if you write a wish on a Bay leaf and then burn it the wish will come true)
- used to resist the evils ruled by the planet Saturn
- hung over doorways to keep away poltergeists
- used by the Delphic priestesses in Greece in rituals
- used in the Middle Ages to keep away evil and resist witchcraft
Culinary
The leaves are frequently used in cooking for flavoring. They are often packed with stick liqorice or dried figs. They are also used fresh, and may be gathered all the year round.
Bay Laurel leaves are commonly used to season and add flavor to soups, stews, pot roasts, and other slow cooking kitchen recipes. Remove the leaves before serving because the leaves are tough and may have sharp edges.
The large, older Bay leaves are preferred for cooking because they will contain more of the plants essential oil and impart more flavor to your favorite recipes.
DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.