Jun

Bay leaves for indigestion, gas and colic [updated]

baysweet Bay leaves for indigestion, gas and colic [updated] Bay leaves are a well known herb in the kitchen, and bay trees are often grown in pots as ornamentals. The bay tree, Laurus nobilis, is an evergreen tree which reaches a height of 35 feet (12m) plus, if not restricted in this way.

Grow in a 40-45cm (15-18″) tub to restrict height. Trim to shape 2 or 3 times during Summer. However, growing it in a pot does mean that it will need frequent watering during the warmer months, even up to twice a day! You can pick leaves as you need them, and take the main crop in Fall before they change color, as they will only fall off anyway. Don’t take them all, however. Trees take back nutrients from their leaves before they shed them, which is why the color changes.

The bay tree goes by many names: bay laurel, Grecian laurel, Indian bay, laurel, Roman laurel, sweet bay and very likely other names as well. Although the berries can be used in herbal medicine, you are unlikely to get any of these, as the bay tree has male and female forms (which can’t be distinguished until they flower), and you need one of each to get fruit. It’s just as well that the leaves have similar properties.

Bay leaves are often used in cooking, for stews and casseroles as well as occasionally in sweet dishes. Many Indian dishes also make use of this herb for seasoning, and it’s not unusual to find a bay leaf or two, as well as the obligatory lump of cinnamon bark, in a good quality Indian take away.

If you have a large number of bay leaves available, you may be able to extract sufficient oil to use as a liniment (a pretty difficult job if you don’t have your own distillation equipment) – or you could make an oil maceration by soaking them in light olive oil for a few weeks in a sealed bottle on a sunny windowsill, shaking every day, to produce a quite strongly scented oil which can be used in the same way. Throw the oil-soaked leaves away after straining them off, as all their goodness will have transferred to the oil.

Although using the leaves in cooking is unlikely to do any harm, bay leaves are not suitable for use as a herbal medicine by pregnant women.

Make a decoction of leaves by putting 30g (1 oz) of fresh leaves in a small saucepan and covering with 600ml (1¼ US pints, 1 UK pint) cold water. Bring to a boil, cover and turn the heat down and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, then strain off the leaves and discard. Mix this with honey to make a paste which can be rubbed on the chest and throat to treat colds and catarrh (best done at bedtime).

A standard infusion, made from 30g (1 oz) of fresh leaves to each 600ml (1¼ US pints, 1 UK pint) of boiling water and allowed to stand for at least 10 minutes, can be used as a treatment for indigestion, colic and flatulence (“gas” or “wind“). Take 75ml (one-third US cup) up to 3 times a day.

As with all plants grown for medicinal purposes, it’s important to grow bay trees organically if you are going to use them for remedies. To find out more about growing organic bay visit the Gardenzone.

The essential oil is generally labeled bay laurel. It is used for dyspepsia, flatulence, loss of appetite and viral infections including colds, flu and tonsillitis. It is not suitable for use by pregnant women, children, cancer patients or anyone with sensitive skin. For more information on essential oils, visit Guide to Aromatherapy.