The bay leaf is widely known for its powers of manifestation, but this herb can do more than just make wishes come true. Learn how to use it in healing and in witchcraft.
Even if you have only dabbled in witchcraft, there's a good chance you've written a wish on a bay leaf before. It's a common practice in the manifestation community, and many people wouldn't call it witchcraft, but it most certainly is.
In the kitchen, we commonly use bay leaves to flavor soups and sauces and then discard them after they've give the dish their essence. But these beautiful leaves have a long history in folklore, healing, and magick. Let's get into it.
Healing Properties of Bay Leaf
Bay leaves have been used medicinally to treat rashes, ear aches, and rheumatism. The bark has also been used to treat nausea and vomiting, fever, anemia, diarrhea , and colic. Seeds mixed with honey are used to treat coughs and dystentery in children.
This herb has antioxidant and astringent properties and can be made into an infusion or accessed as an essential oil. As always, please consult a medical professional before using any herbs to treat illness or injury.
Magical & Spiritual Properties of Bay Leaf
Historically, the priestesses of Delphi were said to eat bay leaves in order to open up their psychic channels. This may have been effective due to the leaf's slightly narcotic properties. They can be used in dream work and to open the third eye and crown chakras. The ancient Greeks created laurel crowns for revered members of society including philosophers and poets. It was also believed to protect against thunderstorms.
Other magical properties of bay leaf include:
- protection
- healing
- purification
- strength
- wishes
- exorcism
- inspiration
- wisdom
- creativity
- victory
Witchcraft Uses
Certainly the most common use for bay leaves is to write your wishes on them, then burn the leaf to release the energy of your intention to the Universe. You could also add the leaf containing your desire to a charm bag or spell jar.
Add a bay leaf to a meditative tea blend to help you open up your psychic abilities.
Create a bay leaf wreath or crown. Wear the crown to enhance your wisdom or hang the wreath on your front door for protection.
Add a bay leaf to your bath spell for inspiration and creativity.
Sleep with a bay leaf under your pillow to enhance your dreams.
Check out my guest post for Loren Runion on herbs for manifestation to learn more about how to use bay leaves to enhance your manifestation process.
Recipes for the Kitchen Witch
A bay leaf's flavor is generally infused into soups, stews, and sauces. The leaf is discarded because it's simply not pleasant to eat. You can eat them, but no one ever does. That being said, they can still infuse your dishes with their energy. Make a wish before you drop the leaf into the pot and let your soup be infused with the energy of your manifestation.
Here are a few recipes that are heightened by this herb.
- Gourmet Waffle Burger - with bay infused Mornay sauce
- Black Bean Soup
- Goat Cheese Souffle
- English Potato Gratin
I hope you're ready to work some bay leaf magick now. It's such a simple and accessible way to call in your desires. Keep some on hand at all times and let your mind and your life be expanded by their energy.
How do you use bay leaves in your practice? Let me know in the comments below.
TINA AUSTIN says
Hello
My name is Tina and I am very interested in your interest and point of view.
Thank you for letting me join.
Renee says
Of course. Everyone is welcome here.