(Laurus nobilis) Supports healthy breathing, nerve, immune response, the lymphatic and digestive system.
Aromatherapy Literature Notes Tisserand notes: "Laurel Leaf containing 2.5% methyleugenol was active against human melanoma, renal cell adenocarcinoma and human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell lines invito (Loizzo et al 2007, Saab et al 2012b). Methyleugenol is a rodent carcinogen if exposure is sufficiently high."
Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D wrote in The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils that 1 drop in a glass of water can be used for infection (page 133). He also suggests to dilute 1 drop in 1 tsp. raw honey or 4 oz. beverage. Laurel Leaf is also mentioned by Schnaubelt to possibly help restore taste and regain appetite (inhaled or using a drop daily). "Traditional indications [for Laurus nobilis] include: ear, nose and throat infections, influenza, viral hepatitis, fungal infections of the skin, gynecological and digestive tract conditions."
Internal: Laurel Leaf is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much.Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application. Click here for more information about internal usage.
Caution: Per Tisserand/Young, the maximum adult daily oral dose is 18 mg. (about 1/2 drop) based on 3.8% methyleugenol. Adjust this number based on the methyleugenol content in the current batch.
Caution Oral Dose: Per Tisserand, the maximum adult daily oral dose is 18 mg. (about 1/2 drop) based on 3.8% methyleugenol. Adjust this number based on the Methyleugenol content in the current batch. Frequent use of Bay Laurel oil on the skin over a longer peroid of time (approx. 3 weeks) can result in sensitization and irritations. Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil.” We are not aware of a case where essential oil in the eyes caused permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.
