Updated 27 January 2024

Botanical characteristics

• Kingdom: Plantae 
• Division: Magnoliophyta 
• Class: Magnoliopsida 
• Order: Myrtales
• Family: Myrtaceae 
• Genus: Pimenta
• Part used: Leaves
• Country of origin: Jamaica, West Indies, Central America

Precautions for use

Bay Rum Tree essential oil should not be used lightly.

It is only authorised for adults and children over 6 years of age and its use must be controlled.

The oral route is reserved for the therapist, but the cutaneous route is possible.

However, the recommended dilution doses must be respected to avoid any risk of toxicity.

Other precautions

Warning:

• Oral use of this essential oil must be prescribed by a therapist.
• People with liver failure should seek medical advice before use.

Cutaneous use:

• Bay Rum Tree essential oil is irritating or even dermocaustic to the skin, so it should be diluted in vegetable oil (10% essential oil with 90% vegetable oil) before application to the skin.

Ingestion:

• This essential oil can be used in cooking if it is first diluted in a fat (oil, cream, yoghurt, milk) or sweetened (syrup, honey). It should not be used pure.

Diffusion: 

• It is recommended to dilute the essential oil between 5 and 10% in other essential oils (5-10% essential oil in 90-95% other essential oils).

Allergenic components:

Bay Rum Tree essential oil contains several biochemical allergenic components:

• Eugenol (42-56%)
• Limonene (1-4%)
• Linalool (1 to 3%)
• Geraniol (<0.5%)
• Citral (<0.5%)
• Isoheugenol (<0.1%)
• Transcinnamaldehyde (< 0.1%)

Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).

Authorised users

Risks of use