Latin Name: Pimenta racemosa
General Description: West Indian Bay Tree is often grown in groves along with the allspice or pimento bush. Then, the fruits of both are dried and powdered for the preparation of the household allspice. The Bay Tree provides the basic ingredient for a famous old hair tonic by distilling the leaves in rum. Emotionally, it is said to stimulate and uplift, warming the emotions and reviving the emotionally exhausted. The oil is produced in Dominica and has a powerful, spicy, sweet aroma. While employed as a flavor ingredient in many foods, it is also used extensively in fragrance work, in aftershaves, detergents, perfumes, soaps and hair lotions, including Bay rum.
Bay Leaf Folklore: In Ancient Greece and Rome, bay leaves and branchlets were used as wreaths to crown their victors. Champions of the Olympic games wore garlands of bay leaves. Our word "baccalaureate" means "laurel berries" and signifies the successful completion of one's studies. It alludes to the bay wreaths worn by poets and scholars when they received academic honors in ancient Greece.
How It's Made: Bay Oil is steam or water distilled from the leaves.
Properties:
Muscles: Helps with Rheumatism and Muscular Aches
Immune System: Fights Viral Infections, Battles Common Cold and Influenza
Circulation: Lowers Blood Pressure
Scalp: Stimulant Hair Rinse for Dandruff, Grease, and Lifeless Hair, Promotes Hair Growth
Safety Guidelines:
This oil is non-toxic and will not irritate or sensitize the skin. Bay should not be used directly on the skin. The oil should first be mixed with a diluting or carrier oil.
