Bay Laurel Leaf essential oil is derived from the Bay Laurel tree, which is also botanically known as Laurus nobilis, through a process of steam distillation. This oil is commonly confused with Bay oil, which comes from Pimenta racemosa instead. Although these two oils share similar qualities and have similar properties, they come from two very different plants.

The Bay Laurel tree, an evergreen shrub, is indigenous to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea region but it is mostly cultivated in Europe nowadays. However, in ancient times, it was widely believed that the tree contained magical powers, thus making it capable of warding off evil and diseases.

Both the ancient Greeks and the Romans regarded the bay laurel leaves to be highly sacred and valuable, as they symbolized victory and high status. The Greeks also considered it to be a potent medicine that was capable of protecting them against plague and various diseases. Today, bay laurel leaf and its essential oil contains numerous medicinal properties that can be used to address a variety of health ailments. Read on to find out more!

Health Benefits of Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil:

1. Provides Respiratory Relief

The essential oil of the bay laurel leaf is known to be an expectorant as it is able to clear up excess phlegm and mucus lodged within your respiratory tracts, thus relieving congestion of the nasal passageway. This hence helps to promote a freer and unobstructed breathing passage. As such, bay laurel leaf essential oil is great for those suffering from coughs, colds, flu and bronchitis.

Its antibacterial and antiseptic nature is also useful for killing off any bacteria or viruses that can cause infections of the respiratory system, thus preventing the onset of such sickness and ailments in the first place. Coupled with its anti-spasmodic qualities, it is able to soothe any involuntary contractions, spasms and convulsions, thus providing immense relief from painful coughing spells.

How to Use it: You can diffuse bay laurel leaf oil in a diffuser or vaporizer and inhale the aromatic wafts. Alternatively, you can make a steam inhalation by adding a few drops of the oil into a bowl of hot, steaming water and inhale the vapors emanating out. You can even mix it in combination with eucalyptus essential oil to produce optimum results!

2. Regulates Menstrual Flow

Extracts of the bay laurel leaves have been used to stimulate menstrual flows, thus making the essential oil a good, natural remedy for irregular and improper menstrual cycles. It helps to stimulate and regulate menstrual cycles, thus ensuring that your menstrual flows are proper, timely and regular.

It also helps to ease menstrual cramps, given its antispasmodic qualities as it relaxes the uterine muscles and it relieves commonly associated problems, such as nausea and fatigue.

How to Use it: Dilute the oil with a carrier oil (such as grape seed, jojoba or rosehip oils) in a 1:1 ratio and gently massage onto your abdominal area for pain relief and to stimulate menstruation.

3. Offers Pain Relief

Bay laurel leaf oil is also known for its analgesic qualities, and it is often used to provide pain relief to a variety of ailments like muscular and joint problems associated with arthritis, rheumatism, gout or to sore, aching muscles after an intense workout session. Simply rub it onto the desired areas, and you will feel better in no time! Besides offering muscular relief, the oil can help to alleviate pain arising from headaches or migraines.

Furthermore, the oil is all-natural, which is definitely better than over-the-counter painkillers and analgesic pills as those might carry unwanted side effects and may be harmful to your overall health in the long run.

How to Use it: Simply dilute the oil with a carrier oil and gently massage onto the affected areas. You can also add a few drops of the oil in a warm compress and press gently onto the affected areas.

4. Helps to Heal Wounds

Being antibacterial in nature, this oil can also be a great addition to your first aid kits as it helps to clean bacteria out from wounds, cuts, bruises or scrapes incurred. This thus prevents infections from setting in and prevents such wounds from becoming septic or from incurring tetanus. As such, it generally helps to prevent complications and speeds up the healing process.

How to Use it: Apply diluted bay laurel leaf oil onto the affected areas using a cotton swab, but be careful to avoid applying it on open wounds.

5. Supports Digestive Health

The oil is also thought to be good for the digestive system as it augments the digestive processes and helps boost appetite. Being an aperitif, it helps to promote appetite in those who suffer from loss of appetite due to various reasons, such as stress or pressure from the demands of working life. This is important because it helps to prevent acute deficiencies that can result if you do not have a proper diet.

Not only that, bay laurel leaf oil also helps to remove excess gas from the stomach and intestines, and prevents the formation of gases in these digestive organs as well, thus relieving any symptoms of indigestion, bloating or pain. Its antispasmodic qualities are also useful in helping to alleviate any gastrointestinal pain arising from spasms or contractions of the stomach and intestinal walls.

How to Use it: You can gently massage diluted bay laurel leaf oil onto your abdominal area to augment your digestive health!

6. As a Potent Insect Repellent

The oil also has potent insect repelling qualities, as it is known to be able to ward off pesky and unwanted creatures from invading your homes and offices. This hence helps to keep your surrounding environments clean and pest-free, which indirectly contributes to a healthy body as well since it will not be invaded by external and unclean creepy crawlies!

You no longer need to spend on expensive and synthetic pesticides or insecticide bottles from the supermarket when you can have this all-natural remedy instead! Furthermore, such commercial pesticide bottles are detrimental not only to the environment, but to your health as well if you breathe in too much of it.

How to Use it: Simply diffuse bay laurel leaf oil into your diffuser or vaporizer. A few drops of the oil can also be added to a spray bottle containing water, and you can spray it all over surfaces and cracks to prevent insects and other creepy crawlies from residing.

7. To Promote Hair Growth

Bay laurel leaf oil is also thought to be a good tonic for the hair, as it boosts hair growth and prevents excessive hair loss. Because it is also an astringent, it helps to tighten the grip of the hair follicles and the hair roots, thus preventing loss of hair. It helps to moisturize the scalp too, thus preventing dandruff and flaky scalp. As such, your hair will look much healthier and your scalp’s health will be drastically improved.

How to Use it: Simply dilute the oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and apply onto the scalp and hair. Rinse off after a few minutes.

Safety Precautions:

Bay laurel leaf essential oil, when used in aromatherapy, is often mixed with other essential oils such as rose, rosemary, thyme, lavender, ylang-ylang, juniper berry, coriander, ginger and eucalyptus essential oils.

When applying bay laurel leaf oil, it is important that you dilute it heavily with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and perform a skin patch test first to ensure you do not have any sensitive, allergic or irritant reactions towards the oil. It is also recommended to use only a maximum concentration of 3% when applying it topically onto the skin, since it is known to cause some irritations to the skin and mucus membranes due to the high concentration of eugenol.

If you are pregnant or nursing, it is best to avoid using this oil since it stimulates menstrual flows, thus it can possibly cause miscarriages.

Do not consume bay laurel leaf oil internally and if you have pre-existing medical conditions and are under prescription drugs, please consult your doctor or a medical expert to seek for professional medical advice before using bay laurel leaf oil as a form of treatment, because the oil can interfere with your pre-existing prescribed drugs to produce unwanted side effects.