Bay Leaf Oil

Bay Leaf
Laurus nobilis
Fam: Lauraceae

The bay tree is indigenous to Asia it spread to the Mediterranean and then to other countries with similar climates. According to the legend the Delphi oracle chewed on bay leaves, or inhaled the smoke of burning leaves to promote her visionary trances. Bay, or laurel,was used in rome by Emperors, heroes and poets who wore wreaths of laurel leaves. The Greek word for laurel is dhafni, named for the myth of the nymph Daphne, who was changed into a laurel tree by Gaea, who transformed her to help her escape Apollo’s attempted rape. Apollo made the tree sacred and thus it became a symbol of honour. Triumphant athletes of ancient Greece were awarded laurel garlands a tradition that continues today.

Attributed Medicinal Properties
In the Middle Ages it was believed to induce abortions and to have many magical qualities. It was once used to keep moths away, owing to the leafs lauric acid content which gives it insecticidal properties. Bay leaf has many properties which make it useful for treating high blood sugar, migraine headaches, bacterial and fungal infections, and gastric ulcers. Bay leaves and berries have been used for their astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emetic and stomachic properties. Bay Oil, or Oil of Bays (Oleum Lauri) is used in liniments for bruising and sprains. Bay leaf has been used as an herbal remedy for headaches. It contains compounds called parthenolides, which have proven useful in the treatment of migraines. Bay leaf has also been shown to help the body process insulin more efficiently, which leads to lower blood sugar levels.It has also been used to reduce the effects of stomach ulcers. Bay Leaf contains eugenol, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Bay leaf is also an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Bay Leaf has also been used to treat rheumatism, amenorrhea, and colic.

Culinary Uses
Bay leaves are widely used throughout the world. It may be best known in bouquets garnis or used similarly in soups, sauces, stews, daubes and courts-bouillon’s, an appropriate seasoning for fish, meat and poultry. Bay leaf is often included as a pickling spice.

Balsam Oil

Balsam Oil
Country Of Origin: Peru

once used in the preperation of isrelite kings

Interesting Facts: The process of extraction produces three grades of balsam. A white balsam is made from the fruit of Myroxylon Peruviatta or Pereiræ, which has a peculiar resinous body and none of the chemical constituents of Balsam of Peru; this is termed Myroxocarpin. Another substance obtained from the same tree and much used in Central America is termed Balsamito, it is an alcoholic extract of the young fruit.

Medicinal Use: Balsam oil is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiseptic (pulmonary and urinary), anti-catarrh, cicatrizant - promotes epithelial cell growth (epithelium: cellular tissue covering surfaces, forming glands, and lining most cavities of the body), diuretic, expectorant, and a stimulant. Balsam oil is beneficial for dry, chapped skin (use on skin diluted in carrier oil), eczema, rashes (diaper), cracked nipples, sores, wounds, parasites (ringworm, itch mite, and eggs), scabies, fungus, chronic asthma, bronchitis (chronic and asthmatic), coughs, and tuberculosis. Lessens mucus secretions and assists rheumatism pain. Balsam oil stimulates the heart and increases blood pressure. Balsam oil helps with flu, colds, viral infections, cystitis (coli-bacillus), stress, and nervous tension.

Balsam oil has been found effective for scabies in dogs and cats by brushing it on the fur.

More uses for essential oils around the home

make your own surface cleaner.
you can create you own cleaner that will smell great and work as well as any store bought cleaner. just use a sray bottle full of water with a squirt of dish soap uncented and your favorite essential oil. some favorites may be Lemon Pine or spruce and lavander.

Hardwood Floors.
Add to a bucket of water a quater cup of white vinagerthen five to ten drops of your favorite oil.

Carpets.
add 16-20 drops of your favorite oil to a cup of baking powder mix well cover and let sit 24 hours or until dry then sprinke generously on carpet and vacuum. You can also saturate a cloth with several drops of oil and place it in the cannister or bag of your vacuume this will difuse the oil into the air and the carpet refreshing and clensing both.

Insects.
to prevent ants use a few drops of pepermint in the window sills and dorways
a few drops of camphor lemongrass or citronella in linens acts like mothballs when placed on a cottonball and tied in a handkerchief and hung in the storage area in preventing moth infestations.

children.
a couple of drops each of lavander and chamomile on your childrens pillows will aid in a restfull night for both you and your children

even more to come