Laurel (Leaf) Essential Oil

Product Details Laurel Essential Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Blends Gorgeous, fresh, and bright laurel essential oil can be used for digestive health, to support respiratory health, and as an uplifting tonic. A darling of the ancient world, the laurel tree has always symbolized success. Scientific Name: Laurus Nobilis Origin: Croatia Plant Part: Leaves Scent: Herbaceous, clinical, sharp, green, leafy. Color: Clear to pale yellow. Consistency: Thin Perfumery Note: Middle Initial Aroma Strength: Pervasive Extraction Method: Steam distillation Suitable Blending Oils: Herbaceous fragrances like eucalyptus, peppermint, basil, flowers like lavender or chamomile, resins, spices, and woods. Breaking Down the Laurel Essential Oil’s Chemical Components Between a third to a half of the chemistry of laurel essential oil is composed of 1,8 cineole. This constituent is a powerful antimicrobial and has superb benefits for supporting respiratory health. There are also significant quantities of alpha and beta-pinene. These two are antimicrobial, uplifting, and analgesic. Laurel essential oil also contains small amounts of sabinene, linalool, and alpha-terpinyl acetate. Sabinene is antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Linalool is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and soothing. Alpha terpinyl acetate is being researched as a possible drug target for Alzheimer’s disease. Laurel essential oil also contains roughly 4% methyl eugenol and 1% eugenol. Methyl eugenol has insecticidal properties and is also proven to have analgesic skills. Eugenol is a powerful antiviral and bactericidal agent. However, methyl eugenol may also have carcinogenic properties in large amounts, so any oil containing this constituent also has safety issues surrounding it. In this case, to avoid any possible negative aspects of methyl eugenol, Tisserand and Young suggest a maximum dilution of 0.5%. Synonyms of Laurel Essential Oil Bay Laurel, Bay Leaf Essential Oil. Historical Uses of Laurel Essential Oil Laurus nobilis L. belongs to the Lauraceae family, which comprises approximately 2500–3500 species. Confusingly, laurel oil does not come from the laurel bush with the lime green glossy leaves, but rather, it comes from the culinary bay tree. Bay leaves are a staple of any good kitchen, adding flavor and digestive aid to stews, fish, and meats. The Ancient Laurel The bay laurel tree was one of the most prized plants of the ancient world. Mythology describes how the god, Apollo, desired a nymph, Daphne, who would not accept his advances. The god slew her bridegroom, so to help her escape him, the goddess Gaia turned her into a laurel tree, which (outrageously) he still embraced when he discovered her. He crowned himself with a wreath of laurel leaves and declared it to be sacred to him. Ever since, it has been associated with triumph, success, and victory. The victors of the Olympic Games and other important tournaments were crowned with laurel leaves. Statues of heroes were also adorned with it. Today, th