Bay Leaf
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Laurus nobilis L.
Lauraceae
Mediterranean bay, sweet bay
South-West Turkey
Wild harvested
Steam distillation
Gökova, Turkey
November 2021
Leaves
Middle/top
5 years
Description
Mediterranean bay is an evergreen tree which grows up to 20 meters. Its leaves are green/dark green, glossy, 5-10 cm long and 2-5 cm wide and fruits are black, small and olive-like. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean but widely cultivated in Europe and USA as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Dried leaves are commonly used in soups, sauces and stews in Mediterranean and North American cuisines, as well as natural insect repellent for kitchens and pantries. Both the leaves and berries as well as the essential oil of the Mediterranean bay are also known for their medicinal properties.
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Mediterranean bay has been historically significant. In ancient Greece and Rome, scholars, warriors, priests, poets and athletes were honoured by wreaths made out of bay leaves.
Goya Botanicals Bay Leaf Essential Oil is obtained through unpressurised steam distillation of the leaves of the bay trees which have grown in wild for centuries, in the mountains of south-west Turkey. Goya Botanicals Bay Leaf Essential Oil is characterised by a high content of 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol). The aroma is fresh, fruity and herbaceous.
Uses & Benefits
Bay leaf is widely used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and urinary problems, rheumatism and diarrhoea(1) treatment. In Persian folk medicine, the leaves have been used to treat epilepsy, neuralgia and parkinsonism(2).
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For a long time now, bay leaf essential oil has been used in various industries including medicine, food, and cosmetics. It exhibits beneficial functions such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects(3). Bay leaf essential oil is used as a cure for haemorrhoid(4), rheumatic pain, and dermatitis(5). The antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral properties are also reported(6).
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Beside pharmacological and therapeutic properties, in cosmetic industry bay leaf essential oil is used in soap and hair lotion production due to its antidandruff effect(7). Studies also proved that the essential oil can be used as botanical biopesticide in postharvest crop protection(8).
GC/MS Analysis & Technical Data Sheet
References & Disclaimer
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Ali-Shtayeh, M. S., Yaniv, Z., Mahajna, J. (2000). Ethnobotanical survey in the Palestinian area: A classification of the healing potential of medicinal plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 73, 221–232.
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Aqili-Khorasani, M.S. (1992). Collection of Drugs (Materia Media). Enqelab-e-Eslami Publishing and Educational Organization, Tehran, Iran, pp. 624–630.
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Bakkali, F., Averbeck, S., Averbeck, D., Idaomar, M. (2008). Biological effects of essential oils: A review. Food. Chem. Toxicol, 46, 446–75.
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Zargari, A. (1990). Medicinal Plants, Vol. IV. Tehran University Press, Tehran, pp. 325-328.
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Kilic, A., Hafizoglu, H., Kollmannsberger, H., Nitz, S. (2004). Volatile constituents and key odorants in leaves, bud, flowers and fruits of Laurus nobilis L. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52, 1601–1606.
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Sayyah M., Saroukhani G., Peirovi A., Kamalinejad M. (2003) Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf essential oil of Laurus nobilis Linn. Phytother. Res., 17, 733–36.
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Demir V., Guhan T., Yagcioglu A.K., Degirmencioglu A. (2004). Mathematical modelling and the determination of some quality parameters of air-dried bay leaves. Biosystems Engineering, 88, 325-355.
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Kivçak, B., Mert, T. (2002). Preliminary evaluation of cytotoxic properties of Laurus nobilis leaf extracts. Fitoterapia, 73(3), 242-3.
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Essential oils are highly concentrated, powerful herbal liquids that might have strong chemical and biological effects. The statement above is for information purposes only. It is not intended to offer professional medical advice or treatment for any condition. Goya Botanicals shall not be responsible for any harm resulting from the use of or reliance upon this information.
