Bay leaf essential 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.