Bay Laurel Leaves (cut & sifted)

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Bay Laurel (Laurus Nobilis) Leaves – Whole and Cut & Sifted Herb HERB COMMON NAME :  Bay Laurel HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Laurus Nobilis OTHER NAMES :  Sweet Bay, Sweet Laurel, Baie, Daphne, Grecian Laurel, Laurier d’Apollon, Laurier Sauce, Lorbeer, Noble Laurel, Roman Laurel FAMILY :  Lauraceae Element: Fire Planet: Sun Day: Thursday, Sunday Direction: South Zodiac Sign: Leo Chakra: 5th Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) Energy: Yin Gender: Feminine Rune: Sowilo Tarot: The Emperor (4), The World (21) Sabbat or Holiday: Litha / Midsummer, the Summer Solstice (btw. June 19 – 24), Yule, the Winter Solstice (Dec 21 – Jan 01) Deity or God / Goddess Association: Daphne, Apollo, Aesclepius, Ceres, Zeus, Fides, Hermes, Cerridwen, Faunus, Eros, Artemis, Gaia, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Helios, Ra, Adonis   Parts Used:  Leaves Description:  Many people find that bay infusions are relaxing.  Bay leaves are used widely as a flavor boost for soups and sauces. 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 with direction of a health-care provider. If you burn the bay leaf, make sure your area is well ventilated, for the smoke can be mildly hallucinogenic. *NOTE – Always check the Latin name when buying, as there are many “bays” and “laurels”, some that aren’t remotely related to this herb.  For example, Mountain Laurel (“Kalmia Latifolia”) is poisonous while Bayberry (“Myrica Pensylvanica”) has been used as a substitute for Bay Laurel in cooking and has its own uses as well. Historical Uses:  stress, mild sedative, difficulty sleeping, relaxation, analgesic, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antineuralgic, antiviral, circulatory, expectorant, pectoral, influenza, flu, colds, rheumatism, muscle aches and pains, neuralgia, arthritis, circulatory conditions, candida, respiratory and bronchial infections, digestive problems, flatulence, skin rashes, spots, sores, dental infection, fungal foot conditions, nervousness, general fatigue Mystical Attributes:  The leaf of the bay laurel tree is a useful ally in magic.  The herb is often referred to simply as “bay leaf” because this is the main part of the plant utilized in both cooking and spell-work, though the bark is sometimes used in medicinal healing. The Greek word for Bay is dhafni, after the nymph Daphne (daughter of the Earth goddess Gaia and river god Peneus), who asked her father for help protecting her from the unwanted advances of Apollo (the Greek god of healing).  He turned her into a bay tree to keep her safe.  Apollo declared that if he could not marry Daphne, he would honor her tree forever.   He gently harvested some of the bay tree’s leaves to decorate his magical harp and to wear as a crown. The ancient priestesses of Apollo chewed bay leaves to induce a prophetic state, and also inhaled their fumes.  It is said that the Oracle at Delphi chewed the leaves and inhaled the smoke when seeking visions.  Bay leaves may be added to any spell or potion designed to enhance psychic ability.  Bay leaves are placed beneath the pillow to induce prophetic dreams, and are also burned to cause visions. Bay is used in clairvoyance and wisdom brews, although its taste is strong. The bay leaf is a symbol of victory, honor and glory, associated with kings, heroes, triumphant athletes, poets and other great men and women were crowned with it to signify their greatness in both ancient Greece and Rome. Laurel wreaths were worn for their protective properties. They were believed to protect against the anger and vengeance of the gods.  It is a protection and purification herb par excellence and is worn as an amulet to ward off negativity and evil, burned or scattered during exorcism rituals, placed in the windows to protect against lightning, and hung up to prevent poltergeists from working any mischief in the house. Place Bay leaf in the corner of each room in the house to protect all who dwell there. Carry Bay leaf to protect yourself against black magic. Mixed with sandalwood, it can be burned to break curses and remove evil spells.  A bay leaf held in the mouth wards off bad luck.  A sprig of bay is used to sprinkle water during purification ceremonies. Doctors also wore laurel as it was considered helpful in curing nearly everything.  In the Middle Ages, bay leaves were used in spells to protect people from the plague, as well as from negative magic of all kinds.  Laurel wreaths may be worn by healers during healing ceremonies and while treating the sick in order to increase the positive healing energy and protect against negative energy that may be hanging around the sick room.  Bay leaf can also be burned in the sick room after the illness has passed to purify it and drive out any residual sickness vibes.  The tree planted near the home protects its inhabitants against sickness. Bay leaves can be used to asperge a space, object or person in preparation or as part of any ritual, a branch of many leaves may be used in a group situation. When difficult roommate, ex-spouse or family member leaves, sweep their footsteps out the door with a broom and then fumigate the house with bay to ensure they won’t return and cleanse your home of their presence. Bay laurel may be carried to protect against any number of misfortunes and to bring luck in athletic competitions.  Bay leaves give strength to those engaged in wrestling and athletic sports if worn at the time of competition. To ensure that you will see your lover again, and neither of you will be tempted to infidelity, go together to a bay laurel tree and pluck a leaf, break it in half and each keep one half.  Or the couple should break off a twig from the tree, then break it in two, each keeping a half. It is said that if you write a wish on a dried bay leaf and then burn it, your wish will come true.  Writing a wish on a dried bay leaf and sleeping with it under your pillow will bring dreams that offer some sort of guidance on how to pursue your goal. Bay leaves are used as decorations at Yule. Mystical Intentions:  protection, purification, endurance, discipline, marriage, luck, mental abilities, protection from lightning, sun rituals, asperging, enhance psychic ability, psychic awareness, divination, clairvoyance, prophetic dreams, wisdom, positive energy, healing energy, protection from negative energy, banishing negative energy, protection from psychic attack, healing spells and rituals, fumigant, banishing, exorcism, breaking curses, cleansing space, smudging, protection from misfortune, luck in competition, athletic success, fidelity, bring back a lover, wish making, money, good fortune, success, strength, protection from black magic Taste & Smell:  Strong, sweet, spicy, herbaceous, yet camphorous aroma Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Bay leaf (or Bay laurel) is native to Asia Minor and areas around the Mediterranean.  It is an evergreen shrub of the Lauraceae family.  It has shiny oval leaves, pointed, dark green on top with a lighter underside.  Flowers, which appear in clusters in the spring are yellow and are followed in female plants by small black and purple berries.  In the wild it can grow up to 60 feet tall, but cultivated outside its native habitat it only reaches 3-10 feet in height, seldom taller than 20 feet in the United States. Bay laurel requires mild climates and will only grow well year round outside if it has 4 hours of direct sunlight a day and if kept relatively cool.  It does make an attractive container plant or houseplant.  The soil should be rich and well-drained and allowed to dry out between watering, however it should receive a little extra water in the springtime.  The plant can be propagated easily from cuttings. Harvest the leaves as needed once the tree is established.  The herb is better dried than fresh, as the fresh leaves are bitter.  Bay leaves may be pressed to dry; properly dried leaves are bright olive green.  Store them in a dark, cool, dry place in an airtight container.   Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional.  Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions. Many of our products are hand made to order. Once orders are in processing, products are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and not returnable. Shipping times may be up to 3-4 weeks. ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Related