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Laurel of genuine

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 06.02.2023

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Synonym(s)

Bay leaf; Bay tree; Laurel oil; Laurus nobilis; Laurus nobilis extract (INCI); oleum lauri; Sweet bay

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

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)

OccurrenceThis section has been translated automatically.

Mediterranean area, subtropical and tropical countries; extensively cultivated as a crop in Turkey and elsewhere.

Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.

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

Occasionally, bay laurel is also used as a gastrointestinal remedy, as an antipsoriatic agent and as an aroma additive in herbal packs, soaps and toothpastes.

When taken, the fruits have an appetite-stimulating effect.

Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.

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.

Clinical pictureThis section has been translated automatically.

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).

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  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

Authors

Last updated on: 06.02.2023

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter AltmeyerProf. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles