100% Pure Bay Laurel Oil
Oil properties
The scent of bay oil is sweet, fresh and spicy and the oil is deep yellow in color,
being of medium to watery viscosity.
Origin of bay oil
This sturdy evergreen tree is a native of West Indies, Venezuela and the Guianas.
Nowadays the oil is obtained mostly from Morocco and Spain. The bay tree grows to about
10 meters (30 feet), has long aromatic lance-shaped leaves, small white-yellow flowers
and black berries.
Bay oil was very popular with the Romans, who thought that the herb was symbolic of wisdom,
peace and protection. The Latin 'Laudis' means 'to praise", which is why the victors at
the Olympic games were presented with a laurel (bay) wreath.

In the past, bay leaves were distilled with rum and the "bay-rum" so obtained was a
famous hair tonic and body rub for colds and muscle pains .
Extraction
The leaves are collected from a tree that is at least 5 years old and are subjected to
steam distillation (salt is often added or seawater used in the still). The extraction
usually yields about 0.5-1.5%.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of bay oil includes; a-pinene, b-pinene, myrcene, limonene,
linalool, methyl chavicol, neral, a-terpineol, geranyl acetate, eugenol and chavicol.
Precautions
Bay oil has a high eugenol content and may irritate the skin and mucus membranes,
so it should be use with caution on the skin.Pregnant women should avoid it.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of bay oil include; antiseptic, antibiotic, analgesic,
anti-neuralgic, antispasmodic, aperitif, astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge,
insecticide, cholagogue, sedative, stomachic, sudorific and tonic.
Uses
Bay oil can be used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, muscular pain,
circulation problems, colds, flu, dental infection, hair growth, general
health of the scalp, diarrhea and skin infections.