Botanical Name: Laurus Nobilis

Member of the mint family Lauraceae

Used as a culinary and medicinal herb

Folk Names: Sweet Bay, True Laurel, Noble Laurel, Roman Laurel, Laurier d'Apollon, Daphne

Bay Leaf is native to the shores of the Mediterranean growing as hight as 60’ tall. The tree produces small yellow flowers in the spring that develop into purple berries in the fall. When pruned regularly the Bay tree can be kept as a container shrub.

Bay leaves are toxic to dogs and cats. The leaves and berries, when eaten, can produce unpleasant side effects. While the leaves are generally dried and used in cooking, only one is needed to season a whole dish and is generally removed from the dish after cooking is complete. The leaves can be used in a pantry to deter small pests like moths and roaches.

HISTORICAL USES, FOLKLORE & CUSTOMS:

In Ancient Rome they not only adorned the heads of respected people such as poets, heroes and priests, but they also believe that sleeping with the leaves under you pillow would make you a poet.
 
The roof of a Delphi temple dedicated to Apollo is said to have been made of bay leaves. The priestess there would consume the leaves to induce a prophetic state prior to giving oracles.
 
Ancient Mediterraneans beloved that the plant had protective properties and could prevent misfortune including protection from lightening. 

Bay Leaves are traditionally used to decorate at Yule.
 
The leaves, oil, and berries of the Laurus Nobilis tree are considered excitants and have narcotic properties and are very rarely used internally. In the past hey have been used to treat hysteria, amenorrhoea, and flatulent colic. The berries have been used to induce abortion. 
The oil from the tree, Oil of Bays, has been externally for ear pain, bruises, sprains, etc. 
*Do not consume Bay leaves, oil or berries.
 
Other species of Laurel trees can be confused with he bay leaf, some being poisonous. It is always important that you know that the tree is in fact Laurus Nobilis before using the leaves.

USE BAY LEAVES IN WORKINGS RELATING TO:
Attracting Love • Protection • Healing • Purification • Strength • Psychic Powers • Divination • Prosperity • Prophetic Dreams • Wishes • Exorcism • Wisdom
 

SIMPLE MONEY ATTRACTION SPELL

In this working we will use Bay leaf to manifest our intentions and desires, in this case it will be to draw money to you.
 
What you’ll need:
Bay Leaf

Hold a bay leaf in your hands. Close your eyes and visualize yourself having all of the money that you need. We’re not looking for money to buy a mansion here, just the money that you need to be comfortable. 

Take some time and really build up this visualization. Feel yourself free of the stress of not ‘having enough’. Now visualize the positive, prosperous energy you’ve created channeling into your bay leaf. Once it has been filled with your energy see it begin to draw money toward you. Sit in the visualization as long as you’d like.
 
When you have completed the visualization open your eyes. Tuck the leaf into your wallet near your cash or credit cards so that it can start drawing money toward you.

Information in this article is for entertainment purposes only. If you have a medical condition consult your doctor. We are not attempting to diagnose, treat or cure any ailments.

References:
Beyerl, Paul V. Master Book of Herbalism. Phoenix Publishing, Inc, 1984. 

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications, 2016. 

Grive, Maud Mrs. A Modern Herbal, Vol. II (I-Z & Index). Dover Publications, Inc., 1971. 

Batool, S., Khera, R. A., Hanif, M. A., & Ayub, M. A. (2020). Bay leaf. Medicinal Plants of South Asia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152419/.