עלי דפנה –Bay leaf – Bay laurel – Laurus Nobilis, Lauraceae
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Noble, Verdant Bay
Leaf Tree
Dafna or Daphna is a
well-known Hebrew girl’s-name, although it is less popular in the USA and
Europe. Several favorite people in my life carry this name. They are
idealistic, pleasant and affectionate women who are quite extroverted,
altruistic and extremely sensitive. The name stems from both the Hebrew and
Greek name for the ‘laurel’ (bay leaf) tree. I hope that Daphna has a parallel
Hebrew root, rather than deriving from the Greek, because according to Greek
mythology, Daphna is a nymph – the daughter of a great river god, with whom
Appolo, the sun god, fell madly in love. According to the myth, when Apollo
chased her, Daphna called her father for help and he transformed her into the
lovely laurel tree. Since then, the Greeks considered the bay leaf tree sacred
and used it for various temple rituals. Therefore, I would think twice before
choosing the name ‘Daphna.’ Bay leaf’s scientific name stems from the Latin
‘laurus’ meaning ‘verdant’ and ‘nobilis’ meaning ‘noble,’ or ‘of high rank.’
The bay leaf tree is indeed known as a symbol of esteem, glory, love and
honor. Great men and women were crowned with it to signify their
importance in both ancient Greece and Rome. Garlands of bay laurel were
traditionally bestowed upon the winners of the Pythian games in Greece and
later of the Olympic games. Today, grand prix winners are given wreathes of laurel,
and ‘laureate’ as in poet laureate and baccalaureate (lit. ‘laurel berry’) is a
title of honor. The expression, ‘to rest on one’s laurels’ which means ‘to rest
after victory and success,’ further demonstrates the high status of the laurel
tree.
Between Healing and
Witchcraft
The bay leaf tree is an evergreen tree with green,
smooth leaves, native to the southern Mediterranean region.
It flourishes in most parts of Israel, including my garden. I have a huge bay
leaf tree which provides enough leaves to spice our entire neighborhood. I also
have found several self-planted baby bay leaf trees in nooks and corners of my
garden. We used some of the bay leaf branches to decorate my home in honor of
Shavuot. With bay leaf in abundance, I will try to burn them as incense since I
just learned that bay leaf fumes have many health benefits. However, I
certainly will not be swayed by the superstitious belief – stemming from the
Greeks – to write wishes on bay leaves and then burn them to make them
come true. We can determine which herbal practices are not forbidden as
witchcraft in the Torah based on the following two criteria: 1. If the practice
is mentioned in the Torah, or by respected Rabbis, such as planting a rue in
front of your house for spiritual protection. (See my article about the protective rue.) 2. If there is biochemical
evidence or probability that the particular herbal procedure has health benefits.
Based on the last principle, I list a number of health benefits of burning bay
leaves after having weeded out the superstitious, forbidden practices.
Burning Bay Leaves
Although ancient
temples routinely burned bay leaves to clear the space and heighten intuitive
powers, today there is reason for the resurfacing practice of burning bay
leaves in our homes. The fumes from burned bay leaves release
certain natural components that are a potent remedy for anxiety and stress,
tension and fatigue, as well as for respiratory relief. With no toxic
components, burning bay leaves is a safe and natural way to relieve all manner
of conditions. Properly burned bay leaves will release their healing benefits
quickly.
1. Place one dried bay
leaf in an ashtray or appropriate holder.
2. Set the leaf on
fire and leave the room while it burns.
3. Close the door to
allow the aroma to fill the space.
4. When you return,
gently blow on the embers and inhale deeply.
Burning Bay Leaves
for Anxiety
Bay leaves also contain
a significant amount of linalool, widely known for its stress-relieving qualities. Burning bay leaves releases their
medicinal nerve-soothing effect into the air, which when inhaled has a relaxing
affect. A recent study conducted through the American Association of Nurse
Anesthetists found linalool to greatly reduce stress. The study showed that the desired effects could be felt in less
than 10 minutes after inhaling fumes from the burning bay leaves. Due to its
ability to lower stress hormones, bay leaf essential oils can be used in
aromatherapy to treat mental health issues.
Burning Bay Leaf for
an Energy Boost
Bay leaves contain
powerful compounds such as pinene, cineol, and elemicin. These simultaneously
alleviate fatigue and produce a pleasant energy boost. The best way to activate
these energizing compounds is through burning bay leaves. Freshly dried bay
leaves will produce more beneficial results.
Bay Leaf Steam for
Respiratory Relief
Bay leaves help break
up and remove mucus and phlegm. Soak fresh leaves in clean water or pick up a
small vial of bay leaf oil and use it in a humidifier to create a steamy vapor
that you then breathe in. You can also simply boil the treated water on the
stovetop or rub the oil on your chest area to alleviate respiratory problems,
allergies, and asthma.
Bay Leaves for Pest
Control
Bay leaves are a safe
and effective way to get rid of annoying pests. You can scatter them in a pantry
to repel meal moths, flies, cockroaches, mice, and silverfish. While the leaves discourage the growth of molds, they are not
effective for killing large beetles and the like. The fumes of burning
bay leaves are highly unpleasant to many insects, and routine practice will
drive them out of infested spaces for good. The vapors they
release kill insects slowly but effectively.
Spiritual Spice
In addition to its
medicinal and culinary uses, bay leaves also remove unpleasant energy. In the Mishna, the word דָפְנָה/dafna means ‘an outer wall,’ which provides protection.
This concurs with the tradition of using bay leaves to cleanse a space and provide spiritual
protection. Bay leaves were worn as amulets to ward off negativity and kept in
a sachet for protection. People also used to soak leaves for three days in
water, then strain and sprinkle the water around the house for protection.
Additional spiritual qualities attributed to bay leaves, such as bringing
success, increasing strength and psychic awareness may be due to their stress
releasing properties. Stress, anxiety and tension block our natural ability to
be successful. When we use bay leaf to reduce stress and anxiety, we are
empowered to tune into our innate spiritual intuition and activate our psychic
sixth sense.
Medicinal Properties
Bay leaves have long
been a common addition to various dishes due to their ability to aid in
digestion and regulate metabolism. They can be used in cooking, taken in tea,
or herbal baths, and infused in oil. Bay leaves are very detoxifying and
relieve anti-inflammatory ailments by stimulating the body to release toxins
through the skin by inducing perspiration. Bay leaves have antiseptic,
antioxidant, digestive, diuretic and probable anti-cancer activity. They
contain Vitamin A and are especially rich in Vitamin C, which has wound healing
and antiviral properties that boost the immune system. Recent research found
that bay leaves protect the heart because they contain both caffeic acid and
rutin. Caffeic acid removes bad cholesterol from the cardiovascular system.
Rutin is vital for strengthening capillaries in the walls of the heart and
limbs. Bay leaves also regulate blood pressure, and contain folic
acid, which aids in DNA synthesis. Bay leaf oil, used in cosmetics, soaps,
and detergents, treats arthritic pains, lower back pain, earaches, sore
muscles, and sprains. When used in ointment the antibacterial properties of bay leaves help keep wounds
clean and encourage healing. They also stimulate healthy skin growth for clear,
youthful skin. Some rub bay leaf oil into the scalp for dandruff, and apply it
to the skin for pain, especially muscle and joint pain (rheumatism). Others
steep bay leaves in water and then rub them on the scalp while washing the
hair.
Culinary Uses
Fresh or dried bay leaves are great flavor
enhancements in soup, cholent, and stew due to their distinctive flavor and
fragrance. Remove the leaves from the cooked food before eating. The fresh
leaves are very mild and do not develop their full flavor until several weeks
after picking and drying. Therefore,
when using fresh leaves add double or triple the amount.
Hands On
Bay leaves can be so
much more than mere garnish. They offer various health benefits, when we add
them in dishes, use them in teas, or grind them into powder for salves and
oils. Essential bay leaf oil is also very beneficial in aromatherapy. The easiest way for
people like me – who want a no-fuss method – is to make bay leaf tea. All you
have to do is steep some leaves in water for a little while and drink it just
as you would any herbal tea. My husband noticed that bay leaf and mint tea is a
good combination.
Hearty Barley Soup
A big pot of barley
soup simmering on the stove warms the heart during stormy, rainy weather.
Half a diced onion
2 diced carrot
2 diced celery stalks
Additional vegetables
of your choice such as leeks, kohlrabi, parsley and celery root
2 tablespoons olive
oil
8 cups water or
vegetable broth
½ cup hulled uncooked
barley
½ cup presoaked beans
of your choice
1⁄3 cup crushed
tomatoes or tomato sauce
2 large bay leaves
½ teaspoon of each
basil, oregano and thyme
½ teaspoon sea salt
and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion
powder (optional)
¼ teaspoon celery-salt
(optional)
1. In a large soup
pot, sauté the onions for five minutes or more until translucent.
2. Add celery, carrots
and any other vegetables and continue to sauté for three to five minutes.
3. Add the remaining
ingredients including the liquids and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to
medium low.
4. Allow soup to
simmer for at least one hour, stirring occasionally, until the barley is soft
and somewhat fluffy.
5. Adjust the spices
according to taste and enjoy!
