Bayleaf (laurel)
Bay leaf (laurel): It is featured in many legends. Dedicated to Apollo then to his son Esculape (Greek god of medicine). For the Ancient Greeks, the crown of laurels celebrated heroes, it was the highest distinction. Today still, the laurel symbolises success: baccalaureat from the latin bacca lauri (laurel berries). The very name of the laurel tree is the same as praise (laurusin Latin). The bayleaf is a typically European spice, it is never used in Asia (except sometimes in the Philippines under the Spanish influence).
History
Native of Asia Minor, it was introduced throughout the Mediterranean well before our era. Pliny and Dioscorid identified many virtues in all parts of the plant.
In the seventeenth century, the botanist Parkinson praised its virtues: " its leaves are indispensable like no other in the garden or vegetable garden, as they are both pleasant and useful..."
Beliefs
- During Ancient Times, bayleaf was believed to protect against lightning.
- It was also used in the "Daphnophages" to achieve a divinatory state of trance
- Culpepper, the herbalist, tells us "Neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightning will hurt a man where a bay tree is "
- Fulgentius, the 6th century Latin author states: : "lthe laurel leaf placed under the pillow will reveal the future in dreams"...
Virtues
- astringent
- diuretic
- digestive, stomatic, carminative, stimulating the appetite
- sudorific
- stimulant,
- emmenagogue
- anti-spasmodic
- expectorant
Tips and tricks
bayleaves are best when green. They should be placed in plastic bags, without their stems, and kept in a dark, dry room (garage for example) or cupboard. They can thus be stored at least two years without losing their aroma.
Composition
- Leaves
- 0.8-3% essential oil 50% 1.8-cineol (anti-mite properties)
- eugenol, acetyl eugenol
- alpha and beta pinene, phellandrene, linalool, geraniol, terpineol
The plant
Laurus nobilis
Lauraceae family like the camphor tree, cinnamon ...
The tree can reach 15 m but is often pruned to 1.5 to 2 m. Dark green, shiny and tough lance-shaped leaves. Small green-white flowers
Black berries in the autumn containing an oily, green, scented pulp.
Articles extraits de Toil'd'épices |
Garlic
Cinnamon
Lemon grass
Coriander
Orange blossom
Ginger
Bayleaf
Oregano
Parsley
Chilli
Rosemary
Thyme
Vanilla
