- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Coastal forests and hills of California and southwestern Oregon
- Traditions
- Hupa medicine
North America · Herb · № 978
Umbellularia californica
Herb · North America
California bay laurel
Umbellularia californica
An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.
Safety notes
The leaf is much stronger than ordinary bay leaf and in large amounts can cause methaemoglobinaemia; use one leaf at most. Do not smell it for long, as the scent causes headache. Not in pregnancy. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Hupa medicine: The leaf is strong: at most one leaf in a tea.
Preparation
Tea of a single leaf; the roasted nuts as food.
Use in traditions
In the Hupa story Yimantuwinyai came to his senses under a California bay laurel, and in the formulas a fire is built under the tree. Many peoples of California, such as the Pomo, Chumash and Ohlone, made a tea of the leaves for stomach ache, colds, sore throat and mucus on the lungs, and roasted the nuts.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Hupa medicine
Attributed effects
The tree under which Yimantuwinyai came to his senses after the poisoned arrow.
Preparation and amount
Build a fire under the tree when reciting a formula.
Caution: The leaf is strong: at most one leaf in a tea.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)