It is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glossy leaves, native to the Mediterranean region. It is one of the plants used for bay leaf seasoning in cooking. Worldwide, many other kinds of plants in diverse families are also called "bay" or "laurel," generally due to similarity of foliage or aroma to Laurus nobilis and the full name is used for the California bay laurel also in the family Lauraceous.
Laurel Leaf Essential Oil or Bay Leaf has been used in cooking for years. This oil can be used in place of Bay Leaf. Call Amy here at Grit man for recipe ideas. When flu season comes, Laurel Leaf Oil diffused into bedrooms and used in bath and shower will protect and help relief flu and cold symptoms. Use caution with the herb and oil, because they contain small amounts of methyl eugenic. A fixed oil is expressed from the berries. There are several species called Bay, so we choose to call this oil Laurel to avoid confusion. The most often confused is Bay from the West Indies.
Bay laurel wreathes once crowned the heads of ancient heroes and the leaves guided the predictions of the Delphic priestesses. Today bay laurel is best known as fragrant culinary herb often used to flavor soups and stews in Mediterranean cuisine, but bay is good kitchen medicine too.
Oil of bay, the fixed oil expressed from the berries, is used to treat arthritic aches and pains, lower back pain, earaches and sore muscles and sprains. Bay leaves are the source of an essential oil with the same analgesic and warming properties. Bay laurel contains parthenolides, the same chemical in fever few that is thought to prevent migraine headaches.
Benefit & Uses: Laurel Leaf Oil is generally used for treating bruises, headaches, pains related with teeth and gums. Essential oil consists of analgesic, aromatic, bitter and emetic properties. It is also a good nerviness stimulant and emmenagogue.
Natural, pure and aromatic Laurel Leaf Oil is widely used in the treatment of arthritic aches and pains; it lowers back pains, ear- aches, headaches and sores and is also helpful in treating migraine headaches.
Laurel Leaf Oil improves circulation, helps in the reduction of cellulite, reduces stress, improves mental clarity, alertness, sharpness, muscular lessons, cold, flu, viral infections etc. it is also helpful in curing tonsils, flatulence and dyspepsia.
Laurel Leaf Essential Oil has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties and can be used to treat scars, acne pimples, boils and scabies. It is reportedly a tonic to the hair, aiding with dandruff and can be used to stimulate hair growth. Laurel Leaf Oil is known for its strong effects on the nervous system, its’ anti-spasmodic and analgesic properties making it mildly narcotic. Coupled with its sedative properties, it is used for neuritis, depression, anxiety, fear and psychosis. Its stimulating and warming properties are used to produce fire and warmth in one's emotions, bringing awareness, courage and confidence.
The positive and pleasant effect of this oil is so distinct and strong that one application will normally suffice to convince the most hardened skeptic to use it.
The Laurel oil has traditionally been used to alleviate digestive complaints, but its modern aromatherapy applications make use of its antiseptic, anti-microbial, expectorant, mucolytic, anti-bacterial and anti-infectious properties. It may be included in blends for breathing support and the aroma may be more appreciated by some that other oils used for this purpose. Laurel leaf essential oil can be safely used as an immune system support agent, particularly when one may be exposed to higher-risk situations, or may find their immune system depleted from traveling or stress.
The oil has a lovely aroma and would make an excellent addition to arthritis/joint/muscular formulas not only due to its therapeutic action, but it is beautiful spicy & herbaceous scent.