BT-020 · Lauraceae

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis
Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe

The ancient name of Harbiye in Antakya was Daphne, famous for its temple of Apollo and laurel groves.

Other names
Sweet bay, defne (Turkish)
Part used
Leaves, berry oil
Region
Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Use
Healing, Food, Ritual and shamanic
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis): leaves and ripe black berries
Photo: Petro Stelte · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is Bay laurel?

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a plant of the Lauraceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: leaves, berry oil.

What is Bay laurel used for?

Traditional use: In Hatay, laurel berry oil is mixed with olive oil to make the famous laurel soap. Scientific evidence: traditional. The leaf essential oil (cineole) shows antimicrobial effects in the lab.

Is Bay laurel safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Safe in cooking. A whole dried leaf can lodge in the throat if swallowed. Berry oil can cause allergy on sensitive skin.

Traditional use

Anatolia

In Hatay, laurel berry oil is mixed with olive oil to make the famous laurel soap. Leaves go into food and wardrobes; the oil is rubbed on rheumatic pain.

Ancient Greece

The sacred tree of Apollo. The Delphic oracle is said to have chewed bay leaves, and winners of the Pythian Games received laurel crowns.

In nature

Where it grows
Maquis and stream banks on the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Sea coasts; most famously Hatay.
Harvest season
Leaves all year, berries October–November.
Local names
defne, teflan, tehnel

Mix-up risk

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and oleander leaves can look like bay; both are poisonous. A crushed bay leaf smells clearly of spice.

Preparation

Leaves in food or tea; berry oil externally.

What science says

The leaf essential oil (cineole) shows antimicrobial effects in the lab. Human studies are very few.

Safety

Generally safe

Safe in cooking. A whole dried leaf can lodge in the throat if swallowed. Berry oil can cause allergy on sensitive skin.

Similar plants

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): hairy toothed leaves and hanging flower clusters
BT-004

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica
Urticaceae
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe
Olive leaf (Olea europaea): ripe black olives on the branch
BT-052

Olive leaf

Olea europaea
Oleaceae
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe
Pomegranate (Punica granatum): fruit and red flower
BT-054

Pomegranate

Punica granatum
Lythraceae
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

Sources

  1. ResearchPhytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of Laurus nobilis L. leaf infusion
  2. ResearchChemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Laurus nobilis L. Essential Oils from Bulgaria
  3. BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
  4. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Laurus nobilis
  5. Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.

Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe

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