Sweet Bay

Alternative names : Laurus Nobilis, Mediterranean Bay, Roman Laurel, Daphne

Tree of the Sun, symbolizing peace and glory,  Sweet Bay was highly appreciated in the older times. Ancient Greece believed that Sweet Bay amplifies psychic powers and crowned their heroes with wreaths made from Sweet Bay leaves . The Romans used Sweet Bay in religious rituals and made amulets from its leaves for protection against evil spirits.

Native to Mediterranean regions, Sweet Bay is commonly known as an ornamental tree and the leaves are used for seasoning in cooking and processed foods . In manufacturing, the oil extracted from Sweet Bay is an ingredient in cosmetics, soaps and detergents.

Sweet Bay leaves stimulate digestion and bile flow and are an efficient remedy for indigestion colics and intestinal gas. An old popular treatment for digestive problems is to chew three leaves of Sweet Bay each day (3 times a day, before a meal) for one month. In cases of intoxication and poisoning, 20-30 Sweet Bay leaves added to a cup of boiling water and infused for 20 minutes will become a powerful vomitive , with immediate action.  Chemicals contained in Sweet Bay decrease fever and have strong antiviral properties, treating colds and flu, laryngitis, bronchitis, asthma and cough. Poultices with Sweet Bay infusion or decoction, applied on the forehead are a remedy for sinusitis and gargles with the same infusion or decoction (usually 10 leaves to a cup of boiling water), done 3 times a day, treat wheeziness. Gargles can also treat thrush, tooth abscess and oral infections.

Beneficial to the nervous system, Sweet Bay is a natural sedative and brings balance in cases of anxiety and depression.

Externally, baths  with Sweet Bay extracts diminish rheumatic pains and reduce excessive sweating of the hands and feet. Applied on the scalp, Sweet Bay treats dandruff and stimulates hair growth.