Laurel of genuine

Evergreen, frost-sensitive tree plant from the Lauraceae family.

Laurus nobilis is the parent plant of Laurum folium the bay leaves. Applications as a spice.

Laurus nobilis is the parent plant of Oleum lauri (expressum), the laurel oil. Applications as hyperemic embrocations (reliable scientific data are not available)

Laurel oil has a hyperemic, antiphlogistic and antimicrobial effect and is used for boils, abscesses, rheumatic complaints and in veterinary medicine for udder care.

Laurel is also occasionally used as a gastrointestinal remedy, as an antipsoriatic and as a flavoring additive in herbal packs, soaps and toothpastes.

When ingested, the fruits have an appetizing effect.

Laurel oil contains numerous sesquiterpene lactones, including the allergologically significant dehydrocostus lactone, costunolide, eremanthin and laurenobiolide.

Sensitization potency: Moderate. Sensitization frequency: Occasional. Contact dermatitis was described as early as the beginning of the 20th century. They occurred frequently when laurel oil was still used as a finish for hat and headbands, see under hatband dermatitis.

Erythema exsudativum multiforme-like contact allergies have also been described in isolated cases.

The consumption of bay leaves can lead to cheilitis and stomatitis. Cross-reactions have been described in sensitized individuals to composites (e.g. parthenolide from feverfew or alantolactone from elecampane).

1. Brás S et al. (2015) Allergic contact dermatitis caused by laurel leaf oil. Contact Dermatitis 72: 417-419
2. Chmit M et al. (2014) Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of polysaccharides, essential oil, and fatty oil extracted from Laurus nobilis growing in Lebanon. Asian Pac J Trop Med 7S1: 546-552.
3. Hausen BM, Vieluf K (1997) Allergy plants, plant allergens. Ecomed Verlag Landsberg/Munich, pp. 172-175.
4. Sayyah M et al (2003) Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf essential oil of Laurus nobilis Linn. Phytother Res 17: 733-736
5. Uzuncakmak TK et al (2015) Erythema multiforme like allergic contact dermatitis associated with laurel oil: a rare presentation. Dermatol Online J 16: 21
6. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/mrl-report/lauri-folii-aetheroleum-summary-report-committee-veterinary-medicinal-products_en.pdf
7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/mrl-report/lauri-fructus-summary-report-committee-veterinary-medicinal-products_en.pdf