Bay Herb – Uses, Benefits and Properties of this Herb
18 September 2008ALTERNATIVE NAMES: BAY LAUREL, BAY LEAF,BAY TREE, SWEETBAY
Taxonomic Class
Lauraceae
Common Trade Names
Various manufacturers provide the entire leaf or crushed leaves as a condiment. No medicinal products are known.
Common Forms
Available as berries, essential oils, extracts, and leaves.
Source
Leaves and berries of Laurus nobilis, a small tree native to the Mediterranean, are commonly used to obtain bay. Another species of bay tree grows in California; its product is more bitter and used primarily for extracts.
Chemical Components
The volatile oil contains alpha-pinene, camphene, cineole, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, phenylhydrazine, piperidine, and sabinene. Other constituents include boldine, catechins, costunolide, isodomesticine, launobine, laurenobiolide, nandergine, neolitsine, proanthocyani dins, and reticuline.
Actions
Eugenol acts as a sedative in rodents. Cineole has shown antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. In mice, costunolide has had
a hepatic microsomal enzyme inductive effect on liver glutathione stransferase enzyme . Other studies with mice suggest chemotherapeutic effects . Aqueous extracts of L. nobilis seeds reportedly demonstrated anti ulcerative properties in experiments of ethanol-induced gastritic injury of rat models . Other rat studies suggest that methanolic extracts of bay may slow gastric emptying .
Reported Uses
Because of the plant’s strong aromatic qualities, herbalists claim that bay leaves are useful for common colds. Additional claims include the use of bay as an antirheumatic, a diuretic, and a stimulant. Bay is a common ingredient in natural toothpastes because of its purported antiseptic properties. Extracted oil has been used to treat muscle sprains and strains.
Dosage
The leaves are most commonly used to season foods and, if whole, are typically removed before consumption. Bay leaves should be thoroughly dried and crushed before ingestion. Bay extracts have been applied topically or used in baths and soaks.
Adverse Reactions
GI: GI impaction, perforation.
Respiratory: asthma.
Skin: contact dermatitis.
Interactions
Insulin: Increased hypoglycemic actions (bay leaf extract). Monitor concomitant use carefully.
Contraindications And Precautions
Avoid use in pregnant or breast-feeding patients.
Special Considerations
Caution the patient that the essential oil from bay leaves should not be consumed because of the risk of allergic reaction and asthma attack.
Alert Bay leaves are largely indigestible, have sharp serrated edges, and should not be consumed intact. The leaves can become lodged in the esophagus or intestines and often require surgical removal.
Urge the diabetic patient to closely monitor blood glucose levels.
Caution the patient not to ingest whole, intact bay leaves.
Advise the female patient to avoid using bay during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Points of Interest
Bay increases insulin’s effects more than threefold and, therefore, nutritionists recommend it to diabetic patients.
Commentary
Bay leaf is a popular seasoning, but no therapeutic claim for treating diabetes or other diseases can be clinically verified.
Tagged under:berries, camphene, essential oils, Herbal Medicines, phenylhydrazine, piperidine, sprains and strains vibrio parahaemolyticus
