BAY TREE PB8 OR PB8 STD

The bay tree was sacred to Apollo, the Greek god of poetry, prophecy and healing. Apollo's prophecies were communicated to the people through his priestess at Delphi who regularly ate a bay leaf before telling the prophecies - due to the fact bay leaves are slightly narcotic in large doses they may have helped the priestess with her prophecy telling!

The Latin laurus means "to praise" and nobilis means "renowned / the famous" - in ancient Grecce they crowned the Olympic winners and scholars with bay leaf crowns. 

Bay was dedicated to Apollo's son Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine and bay has been used against disease - especially the plaugue - for many centuries.

Culinary wise bay leaves can be added to bouquet garni for soups, stews and sauces. Can be added to marinades, stocks, potato soup,  stuffings, boiled in milk for flavoured custards and used as a garnish to name a few uses.

Once leaves were placed in the flour bin as a weevil deterrent. Perfect when leaves are dried and added - whole or crushed - to potpourri! 

Add a decoction of bay to bathwater to help relieve aching limbs. Massage bay oil around sprains and into rheumatic joints. 

Bay leaves were once the main ingredient in a popular French antiseptic - possibly why it was popular during the plague.

Infuse leaves as a digestive aid and/or to stimulate the appetite. 

Recent experiments regarding aromas indicate smelling bay leaves can sharpen the memory - and in regards to its aroma bay leaves were once used in Europe in mens aftershave.

Whilst bay can be used as hedging it does not particularly like cold, strong winds. Bay prefers shelter in full sun, in well drained soils - ideal in containers. Responds well to trimming making them perfect as standards. If left untrimmed can grow into a large, bushy tree.  Cold hardy to -15*C. Evergreen.