The meaning of the name ‘Laura’

‘Laura’ means crowned with laurel.

LAURUS NOBILIS

Description
Bay laurel is a pyramid-shaped tree or large shrub with aromatic, evergreen leaves and shiny gray bark. It can reach 60 ft (18.3 m) in height in its native range, but generally is much smaller, 3-10 ft (0.9-3.1 m) tall. in culture. The leaves are elliptic, 3-4 in (7.6-10.2 cm) long, rather thick and leathery, and shiny dark green. Clusters of small yellow flowers are produced in spring, followed, on the female plants, by shiny black or purple berries about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) long.

Location
Bay laurel is native to the southern Mediterranean region. It is grown commercially for its aromatic leaves in Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, and Mexico.

Usage
The popular culinary seasoning, bay leaf, is used extensively in French, Italian and Spanish cooking. It flavors soups, stews, shellfish boils, pickling brines, sauces, marinades, and poultry and fish dishes. Always remove the bay leaves before serving, because they are sharp and can cut the mouth and throat. French chefs place bay leaves, parsley and thyme in a little bundle called a bouquet garni that is removed after cooking.

Features
Bay laurel is the true laurel of Greek and Roman mythology. A poet laureate is an accomplished poet, and the Roman poet, Ovid, retold the story of the Greek nymph, Daphne, who was transformed into a laurel tree by her father, Peneus, so that she could avoid the amorous pursuit of the god, Apollo. (Cupid had shot an arrow into the fair maiden’s heart so that she would not love Apollo.) Thereafter, Apollo wore a wreath of laurel to show his love for Daphne. Laurel has always symbolized victory and merit, and a baccalaureate (baca lauri, Latin for “laurel berry”) still is a symbol of accomplishment. Bay laurel has been credited with magical properties, like protecting from witches, the devil and lightning.

Laurel:

1. A Mediterranean evergreen tree (Laurus nobilis) having aromatic, simple leaves and small blackish berries. Also called bay, bay laurel; Also called sweet bay.
2. A shrub or tree, such as the mountain laurel, having a similar aroma or leaf shape.
3. 1. A wreath of laurel conferred as a mark of honor in ancient times upon poets, heroes, and victors in athletic contests. Often used in the plural.
   2. Honor and glory won for great achievement. Often used in the plural.

idiom:

rest on (one’s) laurels

1. To rely on one’s past achievements instead of working to maintain or advance one’s status or reputation.

Uses:

There were many uses, both practical and symbolic, for the aromatic evergreen leaves of bay (also called laurel); it was much favoured for festive decoration, but at funerals it expressed the hope of resurrection, since it can revive after dying back to its roots.

In Pliny’s Natural History (AD 77), it is said that laurel guards the doorways of great men’s houses, and is never struck by lightning. Both ideas passed into English lore; a bay in the garden was thought to protect the house from lightning and keep away witches, the Devil, or (nowadays) bad luck (Opie and Tatem, 1989: 14; Vickery, 1995: 28). Occasionally bay trees wither for no apparent reason, an omen of death for rulers (Shakespeare, Richard II, II. iv).

A tree that Lucius Apuleius (ca. 126-173 B.C.E.) classed as among the plants which preserve men from the influence of evil spirits. It was also believed to give protection from lightning. The laurel was regarded as sacred to Apollo, and it was associated with purifying, since Apollo was the great purifier. An evergreen, it was a symbol of immortality; its intoxicating properties associated it with prophetic and poetic inspiration. The Pythian priestess at Delphi in Greece used to chew laurel leaves to enhance oracular powers. The laurel also symbolized victory and peace. The victors in the Pythian games were crowned with laurel. Roman generals sent news of their victories in messages wrapped in laurel leaves, delivered to the Senate.

Uses and symbolism

Bay Laurel is the source of the bay leaves which are used for their flavour in cooking. It was also the source of the laurel wreath of ancient Greece, and therefore the expression of “resting on one’s laurels”. A wreath of bay laurels was given as the prize at the Pythian Games because the games were in honor of Apollo and the laurel was one of his symbols ever since his unsuccessful pursuit of Daphne. In the Bible, the sweet-bay is often an emblem of prosperity and fame. In Christianity it is said to symbolize the Resurrection of Christ and the triumph of Humanity thereby. It is also the source of the word baccalaureate (laurel berry), and of poet laureate. Some evidence from the medical literature supports Bay Laurel having these uses:

In Chinese folklore there is a great laurel tree on the moon, and the Chinese name for the laurel, (traditional Chinese: 月桂), literally translates to “moon-laurel”. This is the subject of a story of Wu Gang, a man who aspired to immortality and neglected his work. When the deities discovered this they sentenced Wu Gang to fell the laurel tree, whereupon he could join the ranks of the deities; however, since the laurel regenerated immediately when cut, it could never be felled. The phrase (simplified Chinese: 吴刚伐木) (“Wu Gang felling the tree”) is sometimes used to refer to endless toil, analogous to Sisyphus in Greek mythology.

Mythical Traditions

Bay was considered sacred by the ancient people of the Mediterranean. Wreaths of bay were given to celebrate special occasions such as winning the Olympics and the gold medals that are given today still picture them. The distinction “poet laureate” or “Nobel laureate” comes from the reference to Apollo, patron of science and art who had a special affinity for the laurel tree.

As the story goes, Apollo loved the nymph Daphne and pursued her fervently. Cupid shot Apollo with an arrow that made him want Daphne but he shot Daphne with an arrow that caused her to avoid male suitors. Prince Leucippus did pretty well when disguised as a woman, but that is another story. Daphne much preferred hunting animals with women to dating men. Daphne asked the gods to save her from the relentless unwanted attentions of Apollo and, tragically, they answered her prayers by turning her into the original bay laurel tree. Apollo declared the tree sacred and thereafter wore a wreath of bay leaves on his head to demonstrate his eternal love for Daphne. In Greece, bay trees are called Daphne trees in honor of the nymph. The Greeks bestowed wreaths from this sacred tree on heroes, scholars, and Olympic athletes. They believed that the tree would protect them from natural disasters and lightning and bay was hung over the door of the sick to protect them. This practice in turn led to the garlanding of newly qualified doctors with bay as a symbol of protection and success known as bacca laureus ~”laurel berry”~ which gave the term baccalaureate, a University degree. Unmarried men came to be called a derivative of this word, “bachelors”, because at one time they were considered to be so absorbed in scholarly pursuits that they avoided marriage for fear of being distracted from their studies.

Bay reportedly has narcotic properties and was eaten by the Pythian priestess before taking her seat in the sacred shrine of the Oracle of Delphi. She would be asked a question and her utterances would be reduced to verse and edited by the prophets.

• Bay leaves are placed beneath the pillow to induce prophetic dreams and burned to cause visions.
• Bay is a protection and purification herb and is worn as an amulet to ward off negativity and evil.
• Bay leaves give strength to wrestlers and athletes if worn during competition.
• If a bay tree is planted near the home it will protect inhabitants against sickness. Bay trees are often placed next to entryways to symbolize welcome.
• English tradition holds that to ensure that a love will stay, a couple should break off a twig from the tree, then break this in two, each keeping half.
• Wishes are written on bay leaves which are then burned to make them come true.
• The modern custom of decorating wedding cakes with silver leaves comes from the Roman custom of hiding a bay leaf in wedding cakes.

Medical Uses

In ancient times, bay laurel was considered therapeutic for a great many ailments, particularly arthritis and to help with menstruation. The 17th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended bay to treat “all griefs of the joints and womb and cause a speedy delivery in sore travail of childbirth.” He also claimed the herb would treat worms, cough, itching, shortness of breath, infectious diseases and “all griefs of the nerves, arteries, and belly.” In the Middle East, a tincture of bay in brandy was rubbed on sore joints and taken internally to induce labour and abortion. American Indians and early colonists used bay to promote labor and menstruation and to treat arthritis, headaches, urinary problems, insect bites and stings. Bay contains compounds known as parthenolides that are useful in preventing migraine. The antiseptic and astringent action of bay makes it a good addition to bath water. A strong tea made from fresh Bay leaves can also be used as a hair rinse after shampooing. Add the tea to bath water or simply put a branch of bay leaves under the hot running water tap to ease muscular aches and pains and rheumatism. Why not rest on your laurels?

2009 Herb of the Year: Bay (Laurus Nobilis)

Bay laurel has been a part of the herbal repertoire for at least as long as people have been keeping written records. Also known as sweet bay, this evergreen herb makes a great addition to the kitchen garden and easily can be grown on a patio or deck. Bay plants charm cooks with their uniquely flavored, waxy green leaves, and the herb’s medicinal qualities cover a wide variety of complaints and conditions.

Because of its many, varied uses, the International Herb Association has chosen bay (Laurus nobilis) as its 2009 Herb of the Year.

Legend and Lore

Classical legends mention bay in relation to the nymph Daphne, who transformed into a laurel tree during her pursuit by the Greek god Apollo. Versions of the story vary; one says that Daphne was a fiercely independent, wild creature and, rather than give herself to Apollo, she pleaded with her father, the river god Ladonas, to transform her. Another account indicates that Apollo was wounded by an arrow of Eros (Cupid) and fell madly in love with Daphne, who fled from his advances and was changed into the slender bay laurel moments before her capture. All agree that Apollo was so astounded by the tree’s beauty that he claimed the laurel as his own and dedicated it to reward the highest achievements of Greek civilization.

Bay was first an herb of poets, but also of oracles, warriors, statesmen and doctors. The leaves were made into wreaths for illustrious poets (thus the term poet laureate) and the ancients used the leaves to crown heroes. Bay laurel was the symbol of wisdom, both acquired and intuitive. Laurus nobilis is believed to derive from the Celtic word laur, meaning green, and the Latin nobilis, signifying noble. Baccalaureate is from the Latin for laurel berries, which were given to Greek students of the classical period.

Medicinal Virtues

The medicinal uses of bay have been recorded throughout history. These uses range from easing headaches and stomachaches to treating wounds and insect bites. Considered an anti-rheumatic, it traditionally was drunk as a tea and used in baths; today it is used externally for muscular aches and pains as well as arthritis. The essential oil is sometimes rubbed on sprains and bruises. Because the leaves are bactericidal and fungicidal, bay is used to combat colds, congestion, influenza and viruses. Some of bay’s other actions include a variety of uses for digestion (stimulates the digestive tract, settles the stomach and relieves flatulence); helps regulate menstrual flow; helps soothe inflammation and increases perspiration and cleansing through the skin; fights infection with its antimicrobial and antiseptic characteristics; stimulates the elimination of body wastes through the kidneys and bladder; and calms the nervous system by reducing stress and relaxing the body.