Bay (Pimenta racemosa)
Location: Bay is found in Dominica, Jamaica and Mexico.
Extraction: Steam distilled from the leaves.
Colour and Odour: The essential oil is dark brown in colour with a strong, warm and spicy aroma.
Description: A wild growing, sturdy, evergreen tropical tree growing up to 9 metres tall. It has large leathery leaves and aromatic fruits.
Background: The Bay tree is often grown in groves together with the allspice bush. The fruits are both dried and powdered for use as spices. Bay leaves are used in Jamaica for flavouring West Indian Bay Rum, which is a famous hair tonic used especially for a greasy scalp.
Properties: Stimulant, antiseptic, tonic, expectorant, analgesic, anti-convulsant and astringent.
Uses
Respiratory System-Bay's antiseptic quality is useful in colds and flu.
Skin-A good tonic for the hair and scalp, bay stimulates hair growth and can also clear dandruff.
Emotion-Bay is slightly euphoric, lifting the spirits.
