Laurel, scientific name Laurus nobilis, also known as bay tree or bay laurel, is a medicinal and ornamental plant cultivated mainly in Europe and America. Through steam distillation of leaves and branches an essential oil is obtained with anti bacterial, antiviral, digestive and calming properties. This essential oil should be used only externally, it is not for inner intake, avoid during pregnancy and, in any case, test it on a small portion of your skin to be sure that it is not irritating for you. Let’s see how we can use it to exploit all its healthy properties.
Laurel essential oil for digestion
Laurel essential oil is used in case of poor digestion, stomach pain, irritable bowel and trapped wind. Pour 5 drops of laurel essential oil in 100 ml of a plant based oil, such as sweet almond oil, jojoba or sunflower oil, and massage on bowel and stomach with slow circular movements.
Laurel essential oil for the skin
This essential oil shows a powerful anti bacterial action against organisms, such as, for example, Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a possible cause of skin diseases such as dermatitis and acne (Ramos et al, Nat Prod Res, 2012 - Fidan et al, Molecules, 2019). In case of acne and oily skin you can add a drop of the essential oil to a little of your face cream. You can also add the essential oil to the liquid hand soap to exploit its antiseptic properties.
Laurel essential oil, antiviral, anti inflammatory and analgesic
Laurel essential oil helps counteract bacteria and virus and results useful, for this reason, to prevent and heal cold, flu and cough. For this purpose, you can diffuse the essence in the room, a drop each square meter. For a more powerful action on the airways you can mix the laurel essential oil and the eucalyptus essential oil. Then, for what concerns the anti inflammatory and analgesic action, it is comparable with that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs that you can find on the market such as piroxicam and morphine (Sayyah et al, Phytother Res, 2003). Thanks to this effect, the laurel essential oil becomes a remedy in case of joint and muscle pain and neuralgias. Try to add 2 drops of essential oil to a tablespoon of a carrier plant based oil, such as sweet almond oil or jojoba oil if the problem is localized on the face. Apply with slow circular movements.
Laurel essential oil against nervousness and low self-esteem
Laurel essential oil acts with a mild sedative effect and for this reason it is useful in case of nervousness, anxiety and hyperexcitability. Moreover, it removes tensions and fears by promoting self-esteem. You can diffuse the laurel essential oil in the room with an oil burner, a drop each square meter.
