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Bay Tree

Name: Bay Tree - Kahikatea Farm Certified Organic Nursery and Permaculture Farm
Availability: OutOfStock

Laurus nobilis

Price range: $14.00 through $26.00

Also known as Sweet Bay and Laurel, this aromatic evergreen shrub/small tree is a relic of Mediterranean laurel forests. The dark green shiny oval leaves are distinctive in look and fragrance, and ornamental as well as useful. Plants are dioeceous and bloom in late spring – small yellow flowers appear at the base of the leaf stem. On female plants these form into hard, green berries, later becoming purple-black, and these can be used along with the leaves. Hardy to about minus 5 degrees C. Height to 7m, sometimes more in warmer regions.

Cultivation

Full sun to part shade, in fact it can tolerate a lot more shade than you’d imagine. Happy in most soil types as long as it is well drained. Can be pruned to keep it low, or shrubby – it is a good candidate for topiary and is often pruned into ‘lollipops’ and other shapes, and it can be coppiced. Suitable for growing in a large pot.

Uses

Leaves can be used fresh or dried as a bouquet garni, to flavour soups, stews, marinades and stuffing. The leaf can also be boiled in milk to flavour custard & rice pudding, used as a garnish, or placed in rice & flour bins as a weevil deterrent. If you’ve ever watched the River Cottage series you’ll know that Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall cooks almost nothing without a bay leaf, especially fish, which always gets a leaf tucked inside before cooking! The leaf is also used in marinades & stuffing.

The leaves can also be dried and crumbled into pot pourri, and the branches provide great foliage for flower arrangements. The wood can be burnt for strong smoke flavouring. Can be grown as a hedge.

Medicinal Uses

The leaf is infused to relieve indigestion, colic & flatulence and to stimulate the appetite. The essential oil is used to calm the autonomic nervous system and when added to a bath, it stimulates the circulatory system. The oil is also a useful antiseptic, used for bronchial problems, and blended essential oil can be massaged around sprains and into rheumatic joints for its analgesic effects. Both leaves and berries contain essential fatty acids and anti oxidants. Note that although widely used as a culinary herb, the leaves are emetic in large doses.

Primary Actions: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, astringent, carinative, diaphoertic, diuretic, stimulant, emmenagogue

Parts Used: leaf, berry

History / Folklore / Further Info

Early evidence of the use of the plant has been found in Israel, dating to the 7th century BCE. Bay laurel is a famous symbol of honour and victory from Greek and Roman times. Wreaths of laurel were given as prizes at games, and are still worn as a crown by graduating school students in Italy. Bay laurel is also the source of the words ‘baccalaureate’ and ‘poet laureate’ as well as the expression ‘resting on one’s laurels’.

Jo Says

I’m sure I’m not the first to say it, but no herb garden should be without a bay tree!

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.