CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY TREE STUDY KIT

BAY TREE

• The bay tree is also known as bay laurel, California laurel, pepperwood, and Oregon myrtle.
• Bay nuts were roasted and eaten straight or ground and made into cakes by Native Americans. Leaves were bound on the forehead for headache, made into tea for stomachaches, and used in the steam house for rheumatism. They were also strewn on floors as insect repellent. When someone had a cold leaves were placed in the fire to "fumigate" the dwelling.
• Bay leaves are used in many recipes including pasta sauce, soups, stews, and curries.