Bay laurel oil has a powerful, spicy-medicinal odor, just like the Bay leaves used in cooking. Bay laurel oil has uplifting and grounding properties and is said to clear mental confusion and clarify thought processes.
Bay laurel was very popular with the Romans, who thought that the herb was symbolic of wisdom, peace and protection. In ancient Greece athletes were crowned with wreaths of bay. Bay laurel originated in Asia Minor, and spread to the Mediterranean and other countries with suitable climates. Bay laurel is not grown in Northern regions, as the plants do not thrive in cold climates. Also known as sweet bay or bay laurel, the dried leaves of this herb tree are used as a seasoning in sweet and savory cooking all over the world. Today, the essential oil is widely used in commercial condiments and sauces, meat products and liqueurs
Bay laurel oil originates from Morocco and is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves of the Laurus Nobilis. Bay laurel oil is a member of the Lauraceae family and is also known as sweet bay, laurel and Mediterranean bay. Bay laurel oil blends well with pine, cypress, juniperberry, lavender, frankincense and clary sage.