Bay Laurel Essential Oil

Bay Laurel has a fresh, strong, sweet-spicy, camphoraceous and clove-like aroma. Warming and invigorating. It is used in after-shaves, soaps, scrubs or body oils, into a diffuser blend and sauna.

1. Examples of external applications are:
   • spreading the aromatic aerosols of essential oils via a diffuser, or a home made room spray, according to a recipe that offers the correct dosage. See also: recipes.
   • the use of essential oils in home made macerates, massage oils, body oils, hair conditioners, perfumes, deodorants, body sprays and room sprays, according to recipes, that offer the correct dosage. See also: recipes.
   • essential oils can be used in bath water, when mixed with glycerine, according to a recipe with a correct dosage. See also: recipes.
2. Benefits of Bay Laurel
   • Bay Laurel can be an interesting addition to hair care blends, said to be an excellent remedy for hair and scalp, stimulating hair growth and clearing dandruff
   • Bay Laurel supports healthy circulation and lymph movement. Dr. Sam Berne advises Bay Laurel essential oil for nurturing lense health: “This oil works wonders for improving the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in overall eye health. Applying two drops of Laurel oil twice a day for 30 days in the lymphatic area of the neck can provide significant benefits.” Video.
   • Bay Laurel helps promoting healthy lung activity.
3. Contra Indications
   • Laurel Leaf essential oil should be avoided altogether in pregnancy, during breastfeeding and with babies

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS

1. Bay Laurel boosts mental clarity and focus
2. Bay Laurel supports emotionally
3. Bay Laurel encourages confidence, fortitude, inspiration, protection, direction and creativity
4. Bay Laurel is warming and invites positive thinking

Gallery: Laurus Nobilis

Video:

Bay: The word “Bay” is often used together with “Laurel”. The “bay” part of the name comes from an Old English word for “berry” and is not related to other meanings of “bay” like a body of water. However: since the essential oil of the Laurus Nobilis is derived from the leaves of the Laurus Nobilis, and not from its berries, its fruits, the word Bay should not be used in a combination with essential oil. Only the carrier oil of the Laurus Nobilis is from the fruits, the berries, and the word Bay only fits in that combination.

Laurel: The leaves, where the essential oil is derived from via steam distillation, are from the Laurus Nobilis, the Laurel tree, in Greece also named the Daphne tree, from δάφνη.

Daphne: fem. proper name, from Greek daphne “laurel, bay tree;” in mythology the name of a nymph, daughter of the river Peneus, metamorphosed into a laurel by Gaia to save her from being ravished as she was pursued by Apollo. The word probably is related to Latin laurus (see laurel). Source

See also: Daphne soap

Other explanation: Laurus nobilis is believed to derive from the Celtic word laur meaning green and the Latin nobilis signifying noble. Source

Warning pictograms on essential oil bottles are required by law. For Lavender the following pictograms are used:

1. Inflammable – Official code: GHS02 – All essential oils are more or less flammable, also diluted essential oils. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Do not smoke when handling.
2. Environmentally hazardous – Official code: GHS09 – All pure, also diluted essential oils, are environmentally hazardous and rests of essential oils have to be collected as chemical waste, and may not be deleted in the sink, or the toilet.
3. Long-term health-hazard – Official code: GHS08 – Laurel Leaf should not be used excessively or over longer periods of time. The recommended dosage for the several different applications is crucial.
4. Acute health effects – Official code: GHS07 – Causes mild skin irritation. Causes eye irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction. The oil must be generally used moderately and appropriately diluted: see dosage. To prevent allergic reactions on the skin: Do the patch test (next chapter).

• PDF * 8 pages professional safety-info about Bay Laurel / Laurus Nobilis essential oil: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
• Dosage of Essential Oils 
• Safety and Essential Oils

Before using essential oils on the skin….

Do a patch test

A patch test allows you to see how your skin reacts to a substance before using it more widely. Here are the steps for performing a patch test:

1. Wash your forearm with mild, unscented soap, and pat the area dry.
2. Dab a few drops of diluted essential oil onto a patch of skin on your forearm.
3. Place a bandage over the patch, and keep the area dry for 24 hours.

If you notice any rash, irritation, or discomfort during the 24 hours, remove the bandage and wash your skin thoroughly with gentle soap and water. Don’t use the essential oil if any reaction develops during the patch test.

If no irritation develops during the 24 hours, it’s likely safe for you to use the diluted essential oil. However, a successful patch test doesn’t mean that you won’t develop an allergy or experience a reaction after future use.

Source: Healthline – What You Need to Know About Allergic Reaction to Essential Oils

Laurel Leaf essential oil should be avoided altogether in pregnancy, during breastfeeding and with babies

1. For external use only
   • Examples of external applications are
     • spreading the aromatic aerosols of essential oils via a diffuser, or a home made room spray, according to a recipe that offers the correct ddosage. See also: recipes.
     • the use of essential oils in home made macerates, massage oils, body oils, hair conditioners, perfumes, deodorants, body sprays and room sprays, according to recipes, that offer the correct dosage. See also: recipes.
     • essential oils can be used in bath water, when mixed with glycerine, according to a recipe with a correct dosage. See also: recipes.
2. Dosage[2]
   • The recommended dosage for the several different applications is crucial
3. Dilution[2]:
   • Always dilute with glycerine or a vegetable oil before applying to skin, in the bath, etc. according to the correct dosage
   • Read the Cretan-Garden pages
     • Dosage.
     • Dilution
     • Recipes
4. Children
   • keep out of the reach of children
5. Storage
   • store on a dark, cool place, in a locked cabinet, or room
6. Contra indications
   • Laurel Leaf essential oil should be avoided altogether in pregnancy, during breastfeeding and with babies
7. Skin
   • can cause skin irritation and can cause an allergic skin reaction
   • do a patch test[4] first
   • always dilute with a carrier oil before applying to skin and scalp
   • rinse with much water as a first aid, and contact a doctor if this is not helpful
8. Eyes
   • causes eye irritation
   • do not bring in contact with eyes
   • rinse with much water as a first aid, and contact a doctor if this is not helpful
9. Fire:
   • keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces.
   • do not smoke when handling
10. Ingestion:
    • do not ingest the oil. It is harmful if swallowed
    • may be fatal if it enters the airways
    • call the emergency number, or (let yourself) drive immediately to your doctor, or the first aid in a hospital
11. Environment:
    • dispose of waste properly (category: chemicals) to avoid environmental contamination.
12. An overdose
    • in a diffuser, evaporator, spray, massage oil, macerate, body oil, etc., can cause breathing problems.
    • always care for ventilation
13. Read
    • the Precautionary Statement in the official MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet on the Cretan-Garden.shop webpage about Bay Laurel[1].