Laurel: plant for mental awakening

A noble plant, a symbol of glory and wisdom, Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) is undoubtedly a plant with a rich folk tradition.

Its botanical name, Laurus, seems to derive from Celtic, meaning evergreen, while its title “nobilis” is likely linked to the high esteem it held in antiquity: dedicated to Apollo, the god of light, it symbolized poetry, glory, and peace.

Defined by Empedocles of Agrigento (5th century B.C) as the “supreme among plants,” Laurel, also called Lauro, adorned the heads of great warriors of the past as a victory emblem. But not only that, starting from the Middle Ages, it was a tradition to crown the heads of wise and graduated students with a Laurel wreath laden with berries, a custom that has persisted to this day.

Hence the term “graduate” derived from the Latin “laureatus“, meaning “crowned with Laurel.”

According to folk medicine, the leaves in infusion were a good remedy to improve digestive functions, but they were also attributed diaphoretic and balsamic properties. However, the true active part of the plant is represented by the fresh fruits (drupes).

These have the same properties as the leaves but in a more pronounced manner. In particular, pressing the fresh drupes extracts an oil (oleum drupi) with a distinctive intense green color due to chlorophyll presence.

This oil, also called Laurel butter, is a mixture of fatty oil and essential oil, presenting the consistency of an ointment, a balsamic smell, and a bitter taste.

Mixed with other ingredients, Laurel oil is used in the preparation of “unguento lauri,” traditionally used for rheumatic and gouty pains.

With the fruits, the so-called Fioravanti balm was also prepared, used in frictions, especially for rheumatism.

More generally, Laurel oil, when massaged on the body, is used by athletes as a muscle activator and stimulant.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic action is mainly attributed to the essential oil contained in Laurel berries and leaves, which can be extracted by steam distillation. It is used in drops within massage oils for joint and muscle pains.

From an Aromatherapy perspective, the essential oil of Laurel is crucial, especially in all situations of personal realization.

Aromatherapy is an extremely broad discipline that encompasses numerous aspects of our psyche.

It is well known how the sense of smell influences the mind, stimulating emotions; this sense is linked to our most primitive memory.

Each of us has experienced how even a simple smell can evoke past emotions and sensations that were thought to be forgotten.

Regarding Laurel essential oil, its diffusion in the environment has a powerful influence on the mind, awakening deep intuitive intelligence.

Notably, wreaths were woven for the head. Inhaled, it stimulates digestion, makes one alert, present, focused, also stimulating creativity and imagination.

It proves particularly effective when engaging in highly intellectual work.