Plants of the Bible

Plants of the Bible in our everyday life

Sandy Roberts - From the Margaret Roberts book on 100 EDIBLE AND HEALING FLOWERS

The Bay Tree (Species Laurus nobilis)

If you grew up in South Africa and bobotie and rice was a favourite meal in your home, you would recognize the leaf of the Bay tree as it is an important ingredient in the recipe. Usually, a few perfect leaves were added to the baking bobotie for its rich flavour. Going back in history, the beautiful, ever-green Bay tree was known to symbolize the resurrection of Christ but was also spoken about in the bible because it represented blessing, nourishment, beauty, strength and triumph. What was more important was, in biblical times it was commonly used for many preparations including flavouring food, medicine, cosmetics and for most ceremonies. It was a tree that grew well in hardy conditions and most families had a bay tree in their garden for the value and simple magnitude of what it represented and what it could do. Interestingly the Bay leaves were also used as an insect repellent from biblical times and thereafter throughout history. Short branches were pressed into terracotta holding vessels of milled wheat, barley and rye flour to repel weevils. The leaves were packed around meat and stored in fat as a preservative and branches of the Bay leaves were used in the windows to keep the air fresh, plague and insect free. Baskets of the top young leaves were picked and tossed onto the floors of many homes as a strewing herb, to be walked on when there was a birth, marriage or plaque and the fragrance symbolized purity, protection and cleansing. Leaves bound Into small bunches were often burned to clear the air as it is an antibacterial and so was used in many ceremonies to clear both body and mind. The ash from the bound bunches was added to an oil as an anointing preparation and many families used the leaves and the oil of the Bay to prepare the bodies of their loved ones for the afterlife. And so during the centuries, the Bay was mentioned frequently, in ancient Greek mythology as it symbolized courage and strength. It was treasured both by the Christians and by the Romans who wore crowns of twisted bay branches. Think of Julius Caesar who was crowned with Bay leaves for it represented many things including posterity, courage and valour. Medicinally it is used as an astringent and antiseptic plant. It stimulates digestion, enhances energy levels, relieves rheumatic aches and pains and it is a special remedy for baldness. Tie a few sprigs together and attach under a bath tap. The running hot water will release the plant oils into the water to ease muscle aches, pains and especially rheumatism. Originated and grown in the Mediterranean region and southern Europe, evergreen tree reach up to 10-12 meters in height. It grows well in South Africa, should not be planted next to buildings as it lifts foundations with its tenacious roots that constantly seek out water. The Bay prefers full sun and a good twice weekly watering. A few spades of kraal manure dug around its roots do well every few months. It grows well as a protective border as it can be hedged. It will bring you much satisfaction as a beautifully shaped neat tree. Hardy with little attention needed tree, easily grown from cuttings and extremely useful in the household especially in making food, as a cosmetic and as an insect repellent it also has neat evergreen leaves on a strong stem which makes it malleable to use in wreaths to be worn or to be used as an adornment on a table or doorway. Today the Bay is revered for its culinary and medicinal uses but we should also remember the rich history (and if you wish the folklore) where it was known as a magical tree bringing blessings, protection, nourishment, beauty, strength and triumph to our homes and loved ones. It will make a perfect wreath for Christmas!