October 1, 2002

BAY

Latin Name: Laurus nobilis

Alternate Names: Sweet Laurel, Yeuh-kuei (Chinese)

Family: LAURACEAE

Parts Used: Leaves.

Properties: Antifungal, Antiseptic, Aromatic, Astringent, Carminative, Circulatory Stimulant, Diaphoretic, Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Sudorific, Tonic.

Internal Uses: Amenorrhea, Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, Bronchitis, Colic, Cramps, Flatulence, Flu, Indigestion, Memory Loss

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Topical Uses: Alopecia, Arthritis, Bronchitis, Cough, Insect Repellent, Sprains

Topical Applications: Bath herb for sore muscles. Hair rinse for dandruff. Soak for nail fungus. Poultice for bronchitis, coughs and chest complaints. Use as an insect repellent, and apply diluted oil and liniments for sprains and arthritis. Strewing herb for its aromatic and antiseptic properties. Berries have been used as a rinse for alopecia. Bay leaves repel cockroaches, fleas and moths. Potpourris.

Culinary uses: Marinades, pickles, roasts, sauce, soups, stews, tomato dishes, bouquet garni. Bay aids digestion and assimilation of food. Place leaves in food canisters to repel bugs.

Energetics: Pungent, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (geraniol, cineol, eugenol, pinene, linalool, terpenes), tannins.

Contraindications: The whole leaf has irritating fibers, so do not ingest whole; remove the leaves from cooked foods before serving. European bay is used over the American varieties, which are poisonous.

Comments: Wreaths of Bay were placed on one's head as a symbol of victory for Olympic athletes, poets, scholars and military heroes. The word baccalaurette (laurel berries), comes from the French baccae lauri, signifying completion of a task. Nobilis means 'noble'. It was once believed that sleeping with Bay twigs and inhaling their aroma would make one's dreams come true. Mythology recounts that Apollo relentlessly persued the nymph, Daphane, until the gods had mercy upon her and turned her into a bay laurel tree.

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), October 01, 2002

Answers

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), October 01, 2002.

Bay tree berries have a waxy coating. If you boil the berries in water , you can skim off the wax and use it to make candles.

-- Steve (Unreal@home.com), October 03, 2002.