Updated 17 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Laurales
- Family: Lauraceae
- Genus: Laurus
- Part used: Leaves
- Country of origin: France, Morocco, Balkans, Portugal, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Precautions for use
Bay laurel essential oil is reserved for adolescents, adults and pregnant women.
No route of administration should be avoided, but dosages should be respected and dilution is recommended, especially for skin applications.
Only diffusion use is authorised for babies and people with asthma and epilepsy should consult their doctor before using.
Other precautions
Warning:
- Consult a doctor before use in people with asthma and epilepsy (risk of epilepsy at high doses).
Cutaneous use:
- Bay laurel essential oil is irritating to the skin and should be diluted 20% in vegetable oil (20% essential oil with 80% vegetable oil) before application to the skin.
- May be used diluted on children under medical supervision.
Diffusion:
- Children and babies can use this essential oil in air diffusers.
Contraindications:
- Bay laurel essential oil can have a narcotic effect in case of overdose, so be careful never to force the dose or prolong its use.
- Take care not to confuse bay laurel essential oil with that of other laurels: cherry laurel or oleander, which are poisonous!
Allergenic components:
Bay laurel essential oil contains several biochemical allergenic components.
- Limonene (≤ 3%)
- Linalool (≤ 11%)
- Eugenol (≤ 2%)
- Geraniol (≤ 0.3%)
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
How to use
Inhalation
Cutaneous
Risks of use
Allergic
Skin irritationProperties
- Antibacterial, bactericidal, antiviral, antifungal
- Mucolytic and expectorant
- Immunostimulant
- Antispasmodic
- Highly effective analgesic and antineuralgic
- Intestinal anti-putrid, beneficial effect on microbiota
- Regulates lymphatic circulation
- Insecticide: mites, lice, moths
- Anticoagulant
Indications
- Aphta
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal disease
- Acne
- Skin, gynaecological and digestive fungal infections
- Mycosis
- Bedsores
- Psoriasis
- Bronchitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Influenza in synergy with other EOs
- Anorexia
- Dyspepsia
- Colitis
- Flatulence
- Viral hepatitis
- Gastric flu
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism
- Neuritis
- Neuralgia
- Varicose ulcers
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Fear
- Lack of self-confidence
- Asthenia
- Fatigue
Directions for use/usual dosage
- Skin problems, mouth ulcers: apply 1 drop locally to the mouth ulcer with a cotton swab and/or apply locally to the affected area diluted in a vegetable oil.
- ENT and bronchopulmonary infections: apply locally to the chest diluted in a vegetable oil in combination with other EOs.
- Muscular or rheumatic pains: in a bath diluted in Solubol and/or applied locally to the affected area.
- Examination period: diffuse and/or inhale 3 times a day.
- Lack of self-confidence, fear of not achieving goals: 1 drop in the hollow of the neck and on the 3rd eye.
- Digestive problems: orally, 1 drop 3 times a day.
Cosmetic
- Ideal for purifying combination and oily skin with a tendency to acne, boils and sores.
- Combats dull and/or greasy hair, hair loss, stimulates growth, invigorates the scalp, enhances shine.
Cooking
- Can be used to flavour dishes, especially meat in sauce, vegetables and potatoes.
Interior use
- Atmospheric diffusion to purify the air, get the day off to a good start and boost confidence.
- Can be used to make natural cleaning products thanks to its antiseptic, antibacterial and deodorising properties.
Find out more
Dried laurel leaves are very popular in the kitchen, especially in stews, but they can also be used to flavour ratatouille or boiled potatoes. Noble laurel should not be confused with cherry laurel or oleander, both of which are poisonous.