Bay leaves for indigestion, gas and colic
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. However, growing it in a pot does mean that it will need frequent watering during the warmer months, even up to twice a day!
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 – or you could soak them in light olive oil for a few weeks in a sealed bottle on a sunny windowsill, which will produce a quite strongly scented oil which can be used in the same way.
Make a decoction of leaves by putting 30g (1 oz) of fresh leaves in a small saucepan and covering with 570ml (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 and mix 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 570ml (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.
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December 15th, 2008 at 02:11
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