Laurel oil: properties and uses

Many people know the bay leaf exclusively as a spice. However, oil has long been prepared from the plant, which has many useful properties. Laurel product is widely used in home medicine and hair care. But before you independently embark on such a practice, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of using the tool.

What is laurel oil

Laurel oil is a viscous substance produced from the leaves of the plant of the same name by pressing and distillation. The final product has a light yellow or pale green color. The smell of the product is spicy, and the taste is specifically spicy.

The composition of the oil contains the following components:

• vitamins (C, A, PP, B),
• eucalyptol,
• camphor,
• myrcene,
• phytoncides,
• alcohols,
• pinene,
• cineole,
• acetic, formic and caproic acids,
• tannins,
• minerals (copper, potassium, selenium, zinc, iron).

These substances determine the beneficial properties of laurel oil and its other features. For example, you need to know that the emulsion is one of the most toxic, since cineole is present in its composition. The latter makes up more than half of the volume of the product and can cause severe irritation at the site of application.

Laurel oil, prepared at the factory, is essential, so it is used very carefully and in small quantities.

Properties of laurel oil

Useful properties of laurel ether are divided into several groups:

• Healing. If you use the oil for medicinal purposes, it has the following effects on the body:
  • Serves as a natural antiseptic.
  • Prevents the appearance of tumors, strengthens the immune system and increases the overall tone of the body.
  • Reduces blood sugar levels, which is especially valuable for diabetics.
  • Fights any fungal infections.
  • Improves the process of digestion.
  • It removes toxins and other harmful substances from the body.
  • Relieves itching.
  • Improves sleep.
  • Clears the airways.
  • It has a stimulating effect on regeneration processes.
  • Fights infections.
  • Reduces blood pressure, which is especially important for hypertensive patients.
  • It has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system.
• Cosmetic. When applied externally for personal care, laurel oil acts as follows:
  • Cleanses the surface of the epidermis from accumulated impurities.
  • Fights blackheads.
  • Relieves inflammation.
  • Helps rejuvenate skin cells.
  • Accelerates hair growth.
  • Strengthens hair follicles.
  • Helps shrink pores.
  • Fights age spots.
  • Helps eliminate cellulite.
• Psycho-emotional. Laurel ether has the following effect on a person:
  • Stimulates brain activity.
  • Helps improve self-esteem.
  • Calms the nerves.
  • Helps relieve stress.

Indications for use

The main indications for the use of laurel ether are:

• Nervous disorders: irritability, lack or poor quality of sleep, poor memory, depression, constant stress, chronic fatigue.
• Low immunity.
• Postoperative period.
• Colds: runny nose, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tonsillitis, sinusitis (of varying degrees of severity).
• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels: stroke, varicose veins, etc.
• Headache.
• Neurological abnormalities: neurosis and neuritis.
• Poor condition of the epidermis: uneven color, loss of elasticity, etc.
• Cellulite in the first stages.
• Skin diseases: eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis.
• Poor functioning of the urinary system.
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: constipation, flatulence, gastritis, pancreatitis, diarrhea, etc.
• Diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system: rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, etc.
• Poor hair condition: brittleness, lack of shine, split ends, etc.

Remember that laurel oil can be used for medicinal purposes only after consultation with your doctor. The fact is that the tool is very strong, which is why the approval of a specialist is simply necessary before using the product on its own.

Combination with other esters

Laurel oil is best combined with esters from:

• pines,
• juniper,
• incense,
• sage,
• rosemary,
• anise,
• nutmeg,
• black pepper
• tangerine,
• lemon,
• grapefruit.

Esters made from:

• Basil and mint. The products have pain relieving properties.

• Ravintsary. Known for antiviral activity.
• Lavender. Has antibacterial property.

• Tea tree and cloves.

• carrots.
• Eucalyptus.
• thyme. Effectively fights infections.

As a base oil when preparing products with laurel ether, it is better to take an emulsion made from:

• hazelnut,
• argan,
• sesame,
• hypericum,
• evening primrose,
• wheat germ,
• coconut,
• almond,
• olives,
• sunflower,
• jojoba.

Methods of obtaining

There are several ways to obtain laurel oil:

• Industrial. The oil is obtained by distillation. Steam under high pressure is combined with essential substances. The latter are captured by the ferry. After this, cooling occurs, during which the resulting substance is stratified into two components: water and laurel ether. The production time of the product in this way is about four hours. The final emulsion is 35 times smaller in volume than the initial raw material.
• Home. Laurel oil, if desired, can be prepared independently. In this case, you will be sure of the quality and safety of the product.

There are several options for preparing bay ether at home:

• With olive oil. You will need 35-40 bay leaves and 1 glass of oil emulsion. Heat the last to 45-50^оC in a water bath. Grind the leaves and pour in a warm mass. Shake the product and cover the container with a lid. Important: for cooking it will be more correct to use glassware. Keep the oil in a dark, dry place. Shake the container daily. After a few weeks, strain the remedy and squeeze out the leaves. The product is recommended to be stored in a dark place. Shelf life - 6 months.

• With natural sunflower oil. The product will complement the laurel ether, enhancing its properties. It is not difficult to prepare the product: pour dry leaves (1 ordinary pack) with a glass of oil. If you pre-crush the plant, the active substances from it will be better released into the bulk. Close the container with a lid, put in a dark place and wait 10 days. After the set time, you must do the following: boil water and lower the slightly ajar (not completely) bottle of oil into the hot liquid. Leave until cool. Then keep the product in a dark place for another 10 days. After that, it is necessary to strain the resulting product. Laurel oil of the described preparation method is stored for no more than six months.

• cold method. Dry or fresh bay leaves are crushed and poured with vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10. Put the product in a dark cool place. Two weeks later, the product is filtered, and the leaves are squeezed. Nothing needs to be warmed up. The method is the fastest and safest. The product is stored in this case up to 10 months.

It should be borne in mind that homemade oil is not essential, since it is made on the basis of another product.

Features of choice

When choosing laurel oil, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

• Real laurel ether is not too cheap. A small price is a sign of crafts.
• The product must be stored in a glass bottle with a tightly screwed cap.
• This product has a yellowish or greenish color and a sharp, spicy aroma.

To check the purchased ether for authenticity, you need to put a few drops on a handkerchief or any rag made of natural material. Carry a cloth with you and smell it periodically. The aroma of this product changes throughout the day and manifests itself differently in the building and on the street, warm and cold.

Bay oil and bay oil - what's the difference

In some sources, bay oil is equated with bay oil, but this is wrong. The fact is that the tree from which the product is made can only be found in Central America. Yes, the plant is also called American Laurel, but the esters are similar only in smell and some properties.

Some unscrupulous sellers actively use the similarity of laurel and bay oils, passing off a cheap analogue as a rare product.

Application of laurel oil

The main direction of using laurel ether at home is the fight against various diseases. It should be borne in mind that the oil is not a panacea and serves only as an addition to the main treatment.

With colds

There are several colds that laurel oil can help treat.

Sinusitis

The easiest and most effective way to deal with sinusitis is inhalation. Just add 2-3 drops of bay ether to a liter of hot water. You can also pour fir, eucalyptus or golden mustache oil (2 drops each). Thanks to additional ingredients, the effect of the procedure will increase. Lower your head over the liquid and cover yourself with a towel. Breathe in the steam for 10 minutes. The session can be carried out only after washing the nose.

If you have a high temperature, inhalation should not be done. It is necessary to carry out the procedures daily before going to bed. The course is 10 sessions. Then you need to rest for a few days and, if desired, resume inhalation.

If sinusitis has passed into the chronic stage, then a more effective method of treatment would be to instill a drop of a mixture of almond and bay oil, taken in a 5: 1 ratio, into each nostril. This should be done in the mornings and evenings until the condition improves or the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.

Angina

Inhalations are also suitable for the treatment of angina. However, the mixture in this case will be more concentrated: 7 drops of ether per 500 ml of boiling water. Procedures are carried out with the same frequency as with sinusitis.

In addition, rinsing is recommended for sore throats. For the procedure, it is necessary to dilute a drop of laurel ether in a glass of warm water. Gargle with the resulting liquid daily, morning and evening.

Cough

It is recommended to fight cough with rubbing. To do this, laurel ether is mixed with base oil in a ratio of 1:5. The resulting mass is rubbed on the back and chest before going to bed. The procedure is carried out daily until the patient's condition improves.

Prevention with oil

There are several ways to prevent colds with laurel ether:

• Aroma paw. Add a few drops of laurel oil to the water and leave the lamp lit for an hour. Thus, you will disinfect the room and protect yourself from the disease.
• Aroma bath. Who doesn't love soaking in warm water after a hard day at work? The procedure will become even more pleasant and useful if you add 5-6 drops of bay and lavender oil to the bath. Esters must first be dissolved in 20 ml of heavy cream.
• Aroma pendant. Such medallions, as a rule, are made in the form of vessels. A few drops of ether are poured into the latter. The pendant is worn around the neck during the day. The fact is that most viruses and bacteria die from the smell of ether.
• Aroma massage. Make an ordinary relaxing massage, but add 5-6 drops of laurel oil to the usual composition for the procedure. The session is recommended to be carried out 1 time in 7-14 days.

For joints

Laurel oil helps to heal bruises, sprains and other joint injuries that are accompanied by severe pain. In this case, it is enough to lubricate the affected areas with a plant product. It is important that the remedy be prepared independently according to one of the above recipes. It is recommended to lubricate the damage twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. In this case, you can use bay oil until the problem is solved.

Against foot fungus

To rid yourself of an unpleasant disease, it is enough to make a foot bath with laurel ether. Add 10-15 drops of oil to hot water. Dip your feet in the liquid, hold for 10-15 minutes. After the allotted time, you need to wipe your feet with a towel. After the procedure, it is recommended to lubricate the legs with a nourishing cream. The bath has a powerful antifungal effect on the epidermis, and also fights excessive sweating. You can conduct a session daily until the symptoms of the disease are completely eliminated.

For nervous disorders

If you have no appetite, insomnia and other signs of a nervous breakdown, use aromatherapy with laurel oil. There are several methods of treatment with ether:

• Aroma lamp. Water diluted with laurel oil in a ratio of 10:1 is poured into the device. You can add any ester that is compatible with the main component (citrus or other). The procedure is carried out as needed, there is no need to take breaks.

• Aroma pendant. Can be worn daily by adding 2-3 drops of laurel ether.

• Aroma bath. The perfect end to a stressful day. Enough 10 drops of oil for the whole bath. You can add salt and foam. The duration of the procedure is no more than a third of an hour. It is not necessary to take a shower after the aroma of the bath so that the aroma stays on the skin longer.

To improve digestion

Many people are facing digestive problems these days. The first include constipation, diarrhea, indigestion and so on. To improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, you should take a remedy with laurel oil daily. 1 drop of ether must be combined with a teaspoon of honey. Take the remedy twice a day after meals. Honey with laurel ether has an additional effect: strengthening the walls of the stomach. After three weeks of using the method, take a break for a month, and then resume taking if necessary.

With gastritis

From gastritis, a recipe from the following ingredients helps well:

• 1 drop of laurel ether,
• 1 tsp yarrow herb,
• 1 glass of boiling water.

First of all, you need to prepare a decoction: pour dry grass with boiling water and wait 1 hour. Add ether to the prepared infusion. Take half a glass before and after each meal. After three weeks, you need to rest for 20 days and, if necessary, resume treatment.

In home cosmetology

There are several ways to use laurel oil in home cosmetology:

• For lips. To get rid of herpes, it is necessary to lubricate the affected area with laurel ether several times a day. To care for chapped or chapped lips, you should use the product exclusively in combination with base oils (proportion 1:10). It is recommended to lubricate the skin several times a day until the condition of the epidermis improves.

• Around eyes. Mix ether with base oil in a ratio of 1:10 and apply to delicate skin 1 time per day. The tool enhances tissue regeneration, due to which fine wrinkles are gradually smoothed out.
• For face. Laurel ether is more suitable for oily and combination epidermis. Oil helps to narrow pores and eliminate black spots. The ether also fights inflammation and covers the epidermis with a protective film. The most effective way to use laurel oil for the face at home is a mask. You will need 30 g of homemade product according to one of the recipes described above, and 5-6 drops of ether. The mask is applied to the face and left for 15 minutes. Then the agent is thoroughly washed off. It is recommended to use the mask once every 1 days.

Hair care

Laurel oil restores hair, stimulates hair growth, regulates the sebaceous glands and treats dry ends. There are several ways to use ether to care for curls.

Masks

Masks are considered the most effective and fastest way to put your hair in order. The most effective recipes with the addition of laurel oil are as follows:

• Corn and laurel oil in a 1:1 ratio. The first can be replaced with olive. Mix ingredients. The resulting substance must be rubbed into the root zone for several minutes. Then wrap your head in a towel and wait 20 minutes. After the allotted time, you need to wash your hair with shampoo. The mask accelerates hair growth. It is recommended to perform the procedure once a week. Course - 1 sessions. Then it is necessary to interrupt for several weeks and, if desired, resume the procedures.

• 100 ml coconut oil, 6 drops of bay ether, 5 drops of lavender ether. Mix the components and apply the resulting product to the root zone. Distribute the rest of the emulsion along the length of the curls. Wash off with shampoo after 15 minutes. You can make a mask 1-2 times a week. The course is 15 procedures. Then you need to rest for a month and, if you wish, continue the sessions. The mask nourishes and moisturizes curls.
• Burdock oil - 6 parts, avocado oil - 1 part, coconut oil - 2 parts, homemade laurel oil - 1 part. Mix the components and grease the curls with the resulting composition. After half an hour, wash off the product using shampoo. It is recommended to use the mask no more than once a week. The course is 10 procedures. Then you need to break for a month and, if desired, resume sessions. The mask strengthens the hair roots. To increase efficiency, it is recommended to add 2 drops of patchouli and ylang-ylang esters to the composition.

• 10 ml of almond oil, 10 ml of jojoba oil, 4-5 drops of bay ester, 3 drops of rosemary and grapefruit oil. Combine the ingredients and apply to the entire length of the hair. After 30 minutes, wash your hair in the classic way. The procedure is performed 1 time in 7 days. The course is 10 sessions. After treatment, they are interrupted for a month, and then, if necessary, resume procedures. The mask strengthens curls and gives them shine.

• 10 ml of jojoba oil, a few drops of bay ether, 1 drop of rosemary ether, 2 drops of juniper ester. Mix the ingredients and apply the resulting mass on the scalp and the entire length of the hair. After 30 minutes, wash off the product with shampoo. The mask actively restores curls. The procedure is carried out in courses. The latter, as a rule, are 10-15 procedures. At the end of the course, you should rest for a month, and then, if you wish, resume sessions.
• 1 tbsp honey, yolk of one egg, 1 tsp. cognac, 2-3 drops of laurel ether. Combine the components and lubricate the roots and length of the hair with the resulting substance. Put on a plastic cap. After 60 minutes, rinse off the product, you can not use shampoo. The mask strengthens the hair follicles and actively fights dandruff, so most of the composition is recommended to be applied to the skin. It is recommended to use the recipe once every 1-10 days on an ongoing basis.

• 1 tbsp castor oil, 2 tbsp. homemade laurel oil. After mixing the ingredients, apply the resulting emulsion to the length of the hair. The roots should not be touched. Wrap your head with plastic wrap or put on a special hat, it is also recommended to tie a towel. The duration of the procedure is one and a half hours. After the allotted time, it is necessary to wash off the composition with plenty of water and shampoo. It is recommended to perform the procedure in a course. The latter includes 10 procedures. The frequency of sessions is 1 time in 7 days. At the end of the course, it is necessary to interrupt for a month, and then, if desired, resume the procedures. The mask deeply moisturizes the hair and fights against the occurrence of split ends.

Aroma combing

It is also useful for the health of curls to carry out aroma combing. It will take 4-5 drops of laurel oil and an ordinary hair brush. It is necessary to drop the ether on the device and comb the hair for 5-6 minutes. Pay attention to each strand for maximum effect. The procedure is performed daily, 1-2 times a day. After a week, you need to stop. After 10 days, the course is repeated. Aroma combing additionally nourishes the hair and saturates them with oxygen. Split ends look better, and hair grows faster.

Contraindications, precautions and side effects

Of course, like any cosmetic product, laurel oil has its contraindications. The latter include:

• Individual intolerance to the product.
• Pregnancy and lactation.
• Chronic low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Mental disorders.
• The period of exacerbation of chronic diseases.
• Age up to 2 years.

In cases of overdose and misuse of the product, the following side effects may occur:

• rash,
• itching,
• skin redness
• headache,
• dizziness.

To minimize the risk of side effects, take the following precautions:

• Do a sensitivity test: apply a little ether to the inside of the elbow and do not rinse for a day. If, after the allotted time, irritation does not occur, feel free to use the oil.
• Do not use the product for more than three consecutive weeks. Be sure to take breaks to give your skin time to rest.
• Do not use expired ether, this can lead to an unpredictable reaction of the epidermis.
• Observe the storage conditions indicated on the packaging.
• Avoid contact with mucous membranes. Ether can cause severe damage to delicate areas.

Usage Reviews

I use lavender oil for my hair. It’s too early to talk about growth, but the hair began to fall out much less. I got dandruff from some shampoos, now I don’t remember about it. I also noticed that after I started using laurel oil, my hair remains clean much more. Usually, after using an oil mask, my hair was greasy in a day, and now it remains in a normal state for 3 days.

I use laurel oil like this: I dip a cotton pad into a container with oil and put this cotton pad on previously cleansed problem areas of the face (on inflammation and on scars from acne and blackheads), then leave for 15-20 minutes and wash off. Sometimes I do this: I pour the right amount of oil into another container and drip 4-5 drops of lavender oil, then I do the same. I felt the effect after the first two procedures. The skin became soft and velvety, pimples dried up after the oil, and the scars after 5 procedures became not so bright. I will continue to use this magic tool.

Laurel oil is widely used in folk medicine and home cosmetology. Due to the many useful properties, ether has recently gained great popularity. But do not forget that the remedy has contraindications that cannot be ignored. Remember to test for sensitivity and consult your doctor before using bay oil on your own.