Delphic Loracle

it was believed that the god lived within a type of laurel (his holy plant), known as the Delphic Loracle. It provides oracles for the future with the rustling of the leaves. There is only one example of this plant left and it is kept in the Adyton of the Delphi Complex.
it was an important part of the Delphic rites. Apollo’s priestesses chewed bay before prophesying. Later, even placing bay leaves beneath pillows was thought to bring prescient dreams.

Special Uses

The Oracles of Delphi actually consume the Bay Laurel leaf as it is narcotic and stimulant in large amounts. It is chewed by the Pythia before prophesying.
Origins
The nymph Daphne was a fiercely independent, rather wild creature and rather than give herself to Apollo, she pleaded with her father, the river god Ladonas, to transform her. and she was changed into the slender bay laurel moments before her capture. 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 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 and the ancients used them to crown heroes. Bay laurel was the symbol of wisdom, both acquired and intuitive. bay is a narcotic and stimulant in large amounts, it was an important part of the Delphic rites. Apollo’s priestesses chewed bay before prophesying. Later, even placing bay leaves beneath pillows was thought to bring prescient dreams.
Since bay was so strongly associated with the gods and people of high esteem, it gained the reputation of protecting against all manner of natural and manmade disasters. Anti-Poison Qualities Sorcerers and poisoners could not harm the person who carried bay. Culpeper said that bay berries were “effectual against the poisons of all venomous creatures and the sting of wasps and bees.”
Anti-Lightning Qualities It was believed that lightning would not strike where bay was planted.
Witches and devils were supposedly rendered helpless by it.

EXTINCT