Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil Benefits & Uses

Overview Of Bay Laurel Leaf Oil

An evergreen herb with many benefits, bay leaf essential oil can work miracles for the body, mind, and hair. Find out why you should incorporate bay leaf oil into your everyday life.

What Is Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil?

Bay laurel leaf (often shortened to just bay leaf) is an evergreen shrub from the plant Laurus nobilis native to the Mediterranean regions and the Black Sea regions. It is now mostly cultivated in the European continent as an everyday ingredient for food and personal care, but in ancient times, the bay leaf plant was believed to have magical properties that kept evil and diseases at bay. Common names of the bay leaf are laurel leaf and sweet bay.

Regarded as highly sacred and valuable by the ancient Greeks and Romans, bay leaf represented victory and nobility. Today, bay leaf essential oil's numerous health-related properties have made it a natural remedy for health issues.

Bay leaf essential oil is often extracted through the steam distillation of its leaves and stems. This extraction method is the most effective way to harness the “essence” of the plant and help its benefits shine through.

What does Bay laurel leaf essential oil smell like? This oil has a pepper or clove-like sweet spicy aroma.

(Fact – Bay Laurel Essential Oil and Bay Essential oil (Pimenta racemosa) are different oils. However, bay laurel essential oil is often mentioned here as bay oil.)

Name	Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil
Botanical Name	Laurus nobilis
Native to	Mediterranean region
Main ingredients	Alpha-pinene, beta pinene, chavicol, geranyl acetate, eugenol, sabinene, beta linalool, terpinene-4-ol
Aroma	Fruity, herbaceous and camphor like
Blends well with	Bergamot, cedarwood, lemon, eucalyptus, wild orange, coriander, geranium, juniper, thyme, rosemary and ylang ylang essential oils
Category	Herbaceous
Substitute	Basil, thyme and juniper berry essential oil

Benefits of Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the numerous benefits of this versatile citrus oil. Here’s a quick guide to get you started on this plant’s many benefits.

It Supports Healthy Hair And Scalp

An essential oil, bay leaf is the perfect companion to boost hair growth and strengthen brittle hair. Applying this essential oil on the scalp with carrier oils can moisturize and prevent dandruff and flaky scalps.

Hold Your Teeth, Hair More Tightly

The steam distilled oil is used to tighten the hair and teeth; it is used to tighten the skin, thus maintaining its elasticity.

Wanna Sweat More?

Sweating is good (except if you are suffering from hyperhidrosis). Sweat removes excess salts and toxins from the body, thus building up the immune system. It is a cheap detoxifier. It also brings down body temperature. Bay oil causes the body to sweat.

Don’t Be bothered By Pests Anymore

Another property of this oil that is useful is its ability to drive away flies and insects. It is used in fumigants and insect repellants.

Maintain Oral Health

Although not a popular choice in oral healthcare like peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil, bay leaf can also be used for oral health. It can be blended with lavender oil for a better after effect in the mouth.

Bay Leaf Essential Oil Uses

Want to get the most out of this refreshing and herbaceous scent for its hair-boosting benefits? Here is how you can incorporate bay leaf oil and add it to your daily routine.

Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil For Hair

1. It Is A Natural Hair Conditioner

Laurel leaf essential oil from the laurel tree is filled with nutrients that can help with taming hair and restoring its shine. Apply it to the hair with a carrier oil to flaunt smoother and fuller locks.

2. It Fights Dandruff And Itchy Scalp

This natural oil is a wonder at tackling dandruff and itchy scalps. Cleansing and refreshing, it helps remove flakes and helps regulate natural hair oil, keeping the scalp free of dandruff and itches.

3. It Helps Improve Hair Health

Perfect for boosting hair health, laurel leaf essential oil helps strengthen brittle hair to prevent excessive hair loss. Stimulating for the scalp, it promotes thicker hair by gently improving follicle strength for achieving great voluminous hair.

4. Relaxing Head Massage

Applying the essential oil with a carrier oil on the scalp is not only good for the hair, but also for the mind. Laurel leaf oil is known to have a tranquilizing effect.

How To Use Bay Laurel Leaf Oil

There are many ways to harness the benefits of laurel leaf essential oil. Some people do it through direct inhalation from the bottle, while others incorporate it with carrier oils to make it friendly on the skin and hair. Here’s how you can incorporate this herbaceous and refreshing oil into your everyday life.

Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil For Sinus and Nasal Congestion

Everyone dreads nasal congestion no matter the season, be it a pollen allergy or the cold winter air. Luckily, laurel leaf essential oil is perfect for clearing airways and leaving your atmosphere more comfortable and breathable.

To purify the air around your living and working spaces, add 1—3 drops of bay leaf oil into a vaporizer and diffuse it into the air. Alternatively, you could also inhale it directly from the bottle for instant relief from congested airways.

Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil For muscle rub

Bay laurel leaf oil can be used as a muscle rub to relax muscles.

Direction To Use:
To make your own ache relief rub, add 1—3 drops of bay leaf essential oil to a carrier oil and massage away for instant relief and a daily pick-me-up.

Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil In An Aroma Diffuser

Though it is normal to inhale the scent of bay laurel leaf oil straight from the bottle, diffusers are a better way to help spread essential oils into the air for a calming atmosphere that lasts all day. Here are some tips when using laurel leaf oil with an aroma diffuser.

Direction To Use:

Set it up according to the manufacturer's instructions
Place it at least 2-feet above the ground to get the full benefits
Fill the tank with filtered water to reduce mineral buildup and to prolong the life of your diffuser
Don’t skimp on the essential oil! Remember, adding more oil makes the scent last longer. Most people add about 3 to 15 drops per 100ml of water
Experiment and mix & match essential oils to tailor your own unique blend of scent
Take time to explore your own diffuser and find a spray setting that suits your fancy

The aromatic molecules of this botanical marvel relax the mind.

Safety When Using Bay Laurel Leaf Oil

Essential oils are great for self-care routines. However, we should also take care and follow caution when using them to keep ourselves and loved ones safe from its side effects. Generally these oils are safe, but a few guidelines must be followed to avoid any adverse effects. Also, the oils are different, made up of different compounds. Some people may be allergic to certain compounds while others may be allergic to others. Concentrated oil must be bought after careful deliberation. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Read the label and instructions to make sure you’re using the oil correctly.
While buying essential oils be wary of the terms fragrance oil, perfume oil and natural identical oil.
The term pure essential oil can be widely seen on the bottles. These may be made from substandard sources.
Ensure that you are not allergic to any ingredients or compounds in the oil.
Make sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil for safe application.
Do not add too much of the oil in the diffuser.
Avoid using essential oils of sensitive areas like the eyes and nose.
Don’t apply it on broken skin either unless it’s mentioned on the bottle or label.
Keep it out of reach of kids and fur kids.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers must always consult their gynecologist about using concentrated plant oils, regardless of the type of oil.
Patients who have to undergo surgery or who have undergone surgery must stop using essential oils four weeks before and four weeks after surgery. Consult the doctor before resuming aromatherapy.
Do not diffuse the oil near kids and pets. Consult a doctor before doing so.
Some essential oils may trigger unwanted effects in pets. Consult an aromatherapist to know the oils that are safe for cats, dogs and other pets.
Some oils may make you sensitive to sun damage, so be sure to load up on SPF.
Check the label to see if the oil is photo-toxic.
Always do a small patch test before topical application.
If aromatherapy is performed directly from the bottle, make sure that the oil does not touch the skin.
The common unwanted effects caused by essential oils up on topical application are rashes, redness and swelling.
If you show signs of irritation, stop use and consult a health professional.
Some essential oils cannot be used by people with kidney problems, whereas some essential oils cannot be used with blood disorders. It is always advisable to consult a doctor about your essential oil needs and predisposition for diseases.
The shelf life of essential oils is different. Check the label of the specific product to know the shelf life, the expiry date and storage method.

Recommended Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil Products

Want to add bay leaf oil to your everyday routine for an uplifting boost? Click the links below to add our 100% pure and natural bay leaf oils to your shopping cart.