Bay Laurel

Species: Laurus nobilis

Family: Lauraceae

Related Genera: Cinnamomum, Persea, Sassafras

Names: Bay Laurel, True Laurel, Lorbeer

History & Folklore: At the Oracle of Delphi the priestess burnt Bay Laurel together with Henbane (Herba Apollinaris) and Myrrh for prophecy. The leaves were chewed for the same purpose by singers, poets and seers, who were called daphne-phages. Bay Laurel is said to help ‘see the hidden’.

Priests of Asclepius inhaled the smoke of laurel leaves and observed the crackling of the burning leaves as well as the shapes of the smoke for finding out the true cause of a disease (the method was also called daphnomanty).

According to Greek myth the beautiful and wild nymph Daphne was desired by Apollo and tried to flee the god, Gaia transformed her into a Bay tree. Hence the tree was named after her and considered sacred to Apollo, god of the sun and ecstasy. When Apollo had defeated the giant serpent Python he cleansed himself in the river of the temple valley, which was full of Laurel trees and crowned himself with its leaves. Since then Laurel is a symbol of glory and honor.

In Christian tradition Laurel symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.

Interestingly the Chinese connect the Laurel with the moon: the Chinese name literally translates to "moon-laurel".

Common Uses: The leaves are commonly used for flavoring food and the wood is burnt for smoke flavoring.

Medicinal & Toxicological: Taken internally it stimulates the blood flow and acts digestive. In ritual the leaves are used for cleansing and divination and burnt as incense with Thyme and Olibanum. They contain various essential oils, of which cineole, also called eucalyptol, is the most prominent. Solutions from the leaves act astringent and are put on open wounds. A traditional folk remedy for eczema caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and stinging nettle is a poultice soaked in boiled bay leaves. In massage therapy the essential oil is used against arthritis and rheumatism. Laurel oil is also a main ingredient in skincare soap.

Sources: "Räucherstoffe, Der Atem des Drachen" by Christian Rätsch (ISBN-13 978-3038003021), Wikipedia English, Wikipedia German, Alchemy Works