ΔΑΦΝΗ
Laurus nobilis
(Bay laurel)
Botanical info:
Bay laurel is a large evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 7–18 m tall, with glossy, dark green, leathery, aromatic leaves. In its native areas it grows amid damp rocky ravines, thickets, and old walls. It is native to the Mediterranean basin. It is a dioicous plant with male and female flowers growing in different plants and flowering in late spring.
Hippocratic legacy:
a. In Nature of Women:
a. Bay laurel and myrtle mixed with water as a head cleansing decoction against hysteria.
b. As suppository for uterus deviation.
c. Bay laurel fruit is laxative when applied as enema.
d. Bay laurel oil is used as:
i. Menstruation promoting agent.
ii. Body lotion against sterility.
b. In Diseases of Women 1:
a. Bay laurel fruit or leaves as post birth analgetic.
b. Bay laurel fruit as birth stimulant.
c. As post-birth purgative.
c. In Diseases of Women 2:
a. As a decoction for the treatment of uterus ulcers.
b. Against uterus bleeding.
c. For the treatment of uterus flatulence.
d. Bay laurel fruit as uterus analgetic.
Other uses:
Leaves, berries and oil have excitant and narcotic properties. The leaves are also regarded as a diaphoretic and in large doses as an emetic. Except as a stimulant in veterinary practice the leaves and fruit are very rarely used internally. They were formerly employed in hysteria, amenorrhoea, flatulent colic, etc. The berries have been used to promote abortion. Oil of Bays is used externally for sprains, bruises, etc., and sometimes dropped into the ears to relieve pain. The leaves were formerly infused and taken as tea, and the powder or infusion of the berries was taken to create appetite, or as an emmenagogue.