(Laurus nobilis)

Bay:

Bay – Beyond Bug Repellent

§      Warning: No uterine stimulants have been found in bay, but the herb was used for thousands of years to stimulate menstruation and abortion.  For that reason, pregnant women should stay away from medical doses.

You may want to avoid external use of bay if you have particularly sensitive skin, as it may cause a rash.

∞      Botanical name: Laurus nobilis

∞      Chinese Botanical name:

∞      This information clearly states that Bay does have benefit.

 —Description— Stress Management, cockroach repellent, infection, intriguing possibility, and dead-end file.

—Family— Lauraceae; other members include avocado, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

— Synonyms— Laurel, sweet bay, green bay, Grecian or Roman laurel. 

—Parts Used— Leaves.

—Constituents— Cineole

—Medicinal Action and Uses— If all you do with bay is add a leaf or two to soups and stews, you're missing an opportunity to use a natural soother.  Bay will never replace sleeping pills, but it has a number of benefits, mainly in the area of mental health.

·         STRESS MANAGEMENT – Low doses of bay oil have been found to sedate laboratory animals, and higher doses produce temporary stupor.  The herb also reduces blood pressure in laboratory animals, but the effect is mild.  Bay has never been shown to put people to sleep or lower their blood pressure, but these animal results are suggestive.  Many people find that bay infusions are relaxing.  Added to the bath, the herb seems to help some people relax and fall asleep.

·         COCKROACH REPELLENT – On the subject of stress management, few household situations are more stressful than the sight of cockroaches scurrying around the kitchen.  A chemical (cineole) in bay repels them, according to an article in Science News.  If you're plagued by these pesky insects, spread some crushed bay leaves around your kitchen cupboards.

·         INFECTION – Like most aromatic spices, bay leaf oil kills disease-causing bacteria and fungi.  Bay is not a powerful enough antiseptic to be used in place of appropriate medical treatment, but for minor household accidents, the fresh herb can be used externally.

·         INTRIGUING POSSIBILITY – In one recent study, laboratory animals were given a fatal dose of strychnine, then promptly treated with a bay oil preparation.  They all lived, but scientists aren't sure why.  Clearly bay has medical benefits that are yet to be explained

·         DEAD-END FILE – Several modern herbals continue to recommend rubbing bay oil into arthritic joints, but modern research has never demonstrated any anti-inflammatory action.  Of course, even if bay has no effect on arthritis, the herb is applied by massaging it in, and massage itself is soothing.

—Nutrient Source—

—Side Effects or Negative Effects—

No uterine stimulants have been found in bay, but the herb was used for thousands of years to stimulate menstruation and abortion.  For that reason, pregnant women should stay away from medicinal doses.

Bay is on the Food and Drug Administration's list of herbs generally regarded as safe.  For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, bay is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.

Bay should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor.  If bay causes minor discomforts, such as a stomach upset, use less or stop using it.  Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.

You may want to avoid external use of bay if you have particularly sensitive skin, as it may cause a rash.

—Deterrent—

—References— “The Healing Herbs – The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature's Medicines” by – Michael Castleman

 Copyright 1991

 ISBN: 0-87857-934-6

 Page  66 – 68

Recipe:

∞      Definition –

Laurus nobilis

Laurus nobilis

Generated on June 24, 2007

Updated on October 31, 2008