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Information About The Herb Bay Laurel
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General Information
Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis
Common Name: Bay, Bay Tree, Daphne, Grecian Laurel, Indian Bay, Noble Laurel, Roman Laurel, Sweet Bay, True Laurel
Plant Family: Lauraceae
Origin: Native to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and cultivated in Britain since the 16th century.
History: Crowns and wreaths for heroes and poets were made from the Bay Laurel. The term 'bachelor' for 'degrees' is derived from bacca-laureus or 'laurel-berry', bachelier in French.
The Native American Indian used Bay Leaves:
- in hot baths for rheumatism
- placed on their heads for headaches
- inside the nostril to clear breathing passages and refresh the brain
Contains:
Leaves
- greenish-yellow volatile oil
- oxygenated compounds
Berries
- fixed oil, containing laurostearine, the ether of lauric acid
Volatile oil contains:
- cineol
- eugenol
- geraniol
- pinene
Medicinal Parts Used: Leaves, Fruit, Oil
Bay Laurel leaves were:
- 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
Worn in an amulet, it was said to provide protection from:
- evil
- negativity
The Leaves and Berries of Bay Laurel are commonly used for:
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- hysteria
Female Conditions
- amenorrhea
- brings about a speedy delivery during childbirth
- eases childbirth
- expels afterbirth
- induces menses (periods)
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- flatulent colic
- stimulates appetite
- stimulates digestive system
Inflammatory Conditions
- rheumatism
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- colds
- coughs
- lung disorders
Used as a plaster or poultice in:
- chest problems
- colds
Other
- removes obstructions
Oil is used externally for:
- bruises
- earache
- soothing itchy skin
- rheumatism-
- skin problems
- sprains
Other Uses: The leaves are used:
- as decorations during the Christmas season
- as a flea repellant
- by sprinkling the crushed leaves in your cupboards to keep out cockroaches and other insects
The Oil is used:
- in perfumery
Action:
- astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
- carminative (berries) [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
- diaphoretic (leaves) [an agent that promotes perspiration]
- digestive [an agent that aids digestion]
- excitant
- emetic [an agent that causes vomiting] (leaves) in large doses
- emmenagogue [an agent that promotes menstrual flow] (berries)
- narcotic [a drug which relieves pain and induces sleep when used in medicinal doses; large doses of narcotics
- produce convulsions, stupor, insensibility, coma or death]
- stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
- stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]
Caution:
- The berries have been used to induce an abortion, so are not suitable during pregnancy
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Bay Laurel without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if your taking any of the following medications.
- None noted
Global Herbal Supplies has Bay Laurel available in the following forms:
- Bay Laurel Essential Oil
- Dried Bay Laurel (Bayleaf)
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
