MAY-JUNE 2000

Bay: from Greek mythology to modern cooking Myrca cerfera L. or Laurus nobilis are scientific names for bay, sweet bay or bay tree. Perennial bush with discreet white flowers, it is a member of the Lauraceous family. Very popular in cooking, bay’s tough leaves can be used as a dry condiment. Several mythical roles and symbols have been attributed to bay. It has even been related to legends and customs (both old and new ones). Originating from the Mediterranean regions, this bush has received many noble titles. Haven’t we used the common expression “to rest on one’s laurels” (a type of bay), meaning that we have received an honorary mention? Let’s study the mythical universe of this sacred bush. In an attempt to avoid Apollo’s seductive attempts, the gods changed the nymph Daphne into a bay tree. However, by kissing it, Apollo gave it eternal life. Due to the fact that it is always green, bay tree and other evergreen bushes have been symbolised as immortal. The Romans associated bay to peace, victory and glory. In China, where it is believed that the moon contains a bay tree and a cudweed bush, it has also been linked to eternity. Bay tree also been used in mythology as an expiatory bush. It grew where Oreste atoned for his crime. Let’s note that during antiquity, Daphnephagers (a category of soothsayers) crowned with bay, ate some of its leaves before giving their speeches. Still practised today, daphnomancia or bay divination, consists of interpreting omens by observing the way its branches burn in fire. In medieval times, following roman traditions, poets, learned persons and university graduates were crowned with small branches of bay tree. The name baccalaureate comes from the Latin bacca laurea or “bay berry”. This majestic plant, used in the past to purify altars and worship places, also had, according to elders, the power to protect humans from evil spirits, diseases, poisons, scorpion bites and curses. In fact, Esculape, the god of medicine, has been traditionally represented with a crown of bay tree. So, having a few branches at home supposedly ensured good health. During the nineteenth, in Britain, it was believed, that one could reduce fever by placing bay tree on the sick person’s chest. To treat colic, it was suggested to macerate some in wine. For torticollis, wrapping one’s neck with a towel containing a few hot bay leaves did the trick. Still, in Britain, bay infusions were used to treat sty. To facilitate parturition, a cloth filled with bay powder and olive oil was placed on the woman’s navel. It was believed that putting some behind the ear prevented drunkenness and under the pillow, it guaranteed sweet or premonitory dreams. Nowadays, bay is used as a tonic, a depurative, a clearing agent (for sinuses per example), an astringent, a cleansing agent (digestive tract mucous membranes) and to relieve ear and eye ailments. From traditional to modern practices, bay still demonstrates its polyvalent and effective uses in fighting ailments. It is a noble plant and still remains useful in health care today. It isn’t surprising to see that it has been the emblem of immortality. It has been used in various situations, and even made its way in our spaghetti sauces! Kathia Roy Bibliography: CHEVALIER, Jean., GHEERBRANT, A. Dictionnaire des symboles, mythes, rêves, coutumes, gestes, formes, figures, couleurs, nombres. Éd. Robert Laffont/Jupiter., Coll. : Bouquins. 1982. MOZZANI, Éloïse. Le livre des superstitions, mythes, croyances et légendes. Éd. Robert Laffont., Coll. : Bouquins. 1995. MERCIER, André-Louis. Enquête sur les végétaux dans le folklore et l’ethnographie in L’Ethnographie. Paris, 1952-1963.