Laurel essential oil: uses and properties

An evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean, laurel represents one of the most widespread culinary herbs throughout Europe.

In Greek mythology, Apollo fell in love with a nymph, Daphne, the daughter of a river god, who rejected his amorous advances. Pursued by the god, the nymph sought help from her father, who transformed her into a laurel tree. Apollo made it his tree, and indeed, the plant is under the protection of the Sun, which is why it was believed that this plant infused energy into all beings around it.

Greeks and Romans used its leaves to create crowns for poets, musicians, athletes, and leaders, celebrating their triumphs.

Both leaves and berries were once used for a wide range of issues, including colic, digestive problems, loss of appetite, as well as against fever and hysteria.

The essential oil of this aromatic plant is extracted through steam distillation of the leaves and twigs and can be used in various areas.

 

Uses and properties of laurel essential oil

Psychological benefits: Diffusing laurel essential oil in a room renders one alert, present, and focused, stimulating creativity and imagination. It is particularly suitable for tasks that require intense intellectual effort. It is an essence that helps the mind reflect on events that are difficult to process, with a clear and bright mind. It also awakens the need for change and the desire to follow one’s path. However, caution is advised because this essential oil should never be used in high doses and for extended periods, both due to the possible narcotic effects attributed to one of its components, methyl eugenol, and the potential risk of allergic skin sensitization.

Skin and hair: As an essential oil, it is not particularly suitable for the face, where it should be used with caution and in very low doses. Still, it can be excellent for localized body treatments, as a tissue tonic and anti-stain remedy. Due to its energizing and mobilizing effect, it is useful for old cellulite. Still, attention is needed in case of broken capillaries because it is contraindicated. It is also excellent for sweaty hands and feet. It can be used for toning massages and is useful during the rehabilitation of a limb after casting.

It can be excellent in massages on the scalp for its revitalizing and anti-hair loss effect. In this regard, you can treat your hair with 2-3 drops of laurel essential oil and 2 drops of sweet orange oil to incorporate into a walnut-sized amount of shampoo to stimulate the scalp and tone the hair.

Well-being: Laurel essential oil can be used, diluted in vegetable oil, topically in massages as an anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic for muscular and joint pains, also in combination with other essential oils such as juniper and oregano.

It can be used for its antibacterial, antiviral, mucolytic, and expectorant activities for moderate inhalation in respiratory disorders of the upper airways, such as flu-like forms. It is also used as a balsamic and anticatarrhal in sinusitis, in the form of daily fumigations for 5-6 days, also in this case associated with other essential oils such as Scotch Pine and Myrtle.

In addition, it can be diluted in vegetable oil or neutral base cream for chest massages against wet cough, combined with essential oils of Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Ravintsara, or Cineole Rosemary.

As an antiseptic and analgesic, it can be useful for mouth sores, gingivitis, and toothaches, for rinses and gargles, alone or combined with other essences such as Clove, Marjoram, Clary Sage, or Tea tree. The preparation is done by dissolving 1-2 drops of essential oil in a teaspoon of alcohol, to be poured into a glass of water. Then shake vigorously and gargle or mouthwash and spit.

Food: Laurel essential oil, in addition to being used as a component of fragrances for detergents, cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and perfumes, is also used as a flavoring agent in many long-lasting food products, as well as in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Laurel, whose leaves are normally used to give taste and flavor to numerous dishes, can be used as is, but also directly in the form of essential oil inside olive oil for flavoring meats, sauces, or vegetables; in this case, add 1 drop of essence to a liter of extra virgin olive oil. If you prefer a more intense aroma, you can eventually add 2-3 drops (no more!) to your liking. However, it is advisable to start with 1 drop due to the high aromatic power of the essential oil.

Thanks to its antispasmodic, rebalancing, and carminative activity on the gastrointestinal system, in addition to giving flavor to your dishes, it can favor the digestive process, counteracting dyspepsia (indigestion), flatulence, and loss of appetite.

Recommendations for the use of laurel essential oil

Remember that essential oils in general are extremely concentrated compounds, and even a small dose can cause undesired effects. In case of internal use, it is always advisable to consult with an experienced person and your doctor. Be careful also in topical use because, being small molecules, they are easily absorbed by our skin. Therefore, with too high doses, there is a risk of dermatitis.

They should not be used on damaged skin and should not come into contact with mucous membranes and eyes because they can also cause strong irritation.