Bay, The Protector

by Alden Smith

When we think of bay leaves, we sometimes think of the Greeks and Romans, who wore a wreath of bay leaves as a symbol of both victory and glory. Its very name, Laurus Nobilis, means renowned. Bay as a culinary herb has no peers. It works superbly in shellfish boils, soups and stews. Here, we will discuss the history of bay, its medicinal and culinary uses, and how it is grown.

History of Bay

Bay has always been the symbol of glory and reward. Bay is a romantic herb, rich in history. Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, fell for the nymph Daphne, and did everything in his power to make her his. Cupid had shot an arrow into Daphne's heart to turn her against Apollo. Daphne's father Peneus, turned her into a laurel tree, and Apollo declared the laurel eternally sacred. Forever after, Apollo wore a wreath of laurel in remembrance of Daphne.

And so the reputation of bay was formed. It was used by the Romans and Greeks as a sign of glory, honor and greatness. The Greeks and Romans wove wreaths of laurel and crowned the head of kings, priests, prophets, warriors and athletes with them. In 776 BC, at the first Olympics, laurel wreaths were given to the champions.

Bay has a reputation that has never dwindled. It is attributed to great powers of protection. Because of its reputation, it was natural that laurel would be used as a medicinal herb.

Medicinal Uses of Bay

Bay, or laurel, has a reputation for curing stomach ills, and is good for relieving gas and flatulence. Bay oil has a good reputation for relieving rheumatic pain. In addition to this, it also has the attributes of an astringent, diuretic, narcotic and stimulant. Studies of the essential oil of bay show that it contains eugenol, which has both narcotic and sedative properties in mice. No real proven evidence of its medicinal capabilities exists.

Culinary Uses of Bay

Bay is an important herb for such things as soup, stews and tomato sauces. It is used in Spanish, Creole and French cookery. Bay works well in shellfish boils, pickling brines, and as a spice for game dishes. It complements pepper, saffron, garlic, allspice citrus and prepared mustards. On a commercial basis, oil of bay is used to flavor baked goods, meats and sausage.

How Bay Is Grown

Bay has a reputation for being difficult to propagate. It requires a moderately rich well drained soil, with a pH of 6.2 to do well. It is very hard to grow from seed. Seed has a tendency to turn moldy before they sprout. Cuttings are the best way to propagate bay.

Bay is an evergreen tree of the family Laurel. It is native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. It is commercially cultivated around the world, including the southern United States and California. It does best in temperate climates, but it is hardy to zone 8. A laurel tree can grow to a height of 40 to 50 feet if all conditions are right. Cultivars exist, notably "Aurea", "Angustifolia" and "Undulata". Seed to start a laurel tree can be purchased at Amazon.com, or through Nichols Garden Nursery.
Bay is well suited for container gardening.

An overlooked feature of bay is the fruit of the bayberry. It is often used in crafts and as an essential oil. It has a robust taste when used in cookery. It also makes a refreshing lotion.

Harvesting and Storage

You can harvest bay leaves throughout the year. Cut older leaves for use as needed, or dry them in a warm, dry space. When you dry bay leaves, place a board over them and weigh it down with a rock to stop curling. They take approximately 15 days to dry. Store in a tightly sealed container.

A Bay Recipe

Here is a simple fast recipe using bay leaves.

Bean Soup

1 Large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1½ teaspoon paprika
1 can Pinto beans
1 can cannelli beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 cup lentils
1 Vegetable bouillon cube
5 cups Water
1 Bay leaf
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon dill weed
2 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups cubed potatoes

Sauté onion, garlic and paprika until translucent.
Place all ingredients in a crock pot.
Cook on high for approximately 4 hours, or until done to taste.

Bay is a favorite herb in the kitchen. Although a bit hard to grow, this herb is a welcome addition to any herb garden. Because they can grow so large, it might be better to either buy the leaf, or try container gardening. Enjoy this wonderful herb.