Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis
Botanical Family: Lauraceae
Extraction Method: Steam distilled
Part of Plant Distilled: Leaves
Country of Origin: Corsica
Cultivation Method: Organic
Composition: 100% Laurus nobilis
Consistency: Thin
Scent Description: Refreshing, otherworldly-herbaceous, camphor and sweet spice, and everything nice! In Living Libations: Laurel Oracle, Verve Tonic.
Blends well with: Clary Sage, Marjoram, Lavender, Frankincense, Lemongrass, Hemp, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Pine, Fir, Spruce, Yarrow, Oregano, Thyme, Eucalyptus, Inula, Petitgrain, Neroli, Sweet Thyme, Spikenard, Cedar, Rosemary, Rose Otto, Rockrose, and Myrrh.
Uses: In culinary creations of teas, soups, sauces, and salad dressings. Use in baths, showers, and saunas. Mix into massage oils to inspire sluggish skin. Dab on the chest to invigorate and on the soles of feet for a strengthening treat. Laurel makes breathing sweet when inhaled from the salt pipe, bottle, or diffuser. A masterful oil for meditation, mental focus, creative inspiration, and intuition. Sprinkle on pillows for divining dreams. A refreshing note in hair tonics and colognes for its herbaceous, balsamic fougère. A happy household cleaner to cleanse and infuse spring-freshness in to the air.
In ancient Greece many wreaths were made with Laurel’s wither-free leaves, and poets, philosophers, victors, emperors, and athletes were crowned with regal Laurel. At the Temple of Delphi, priestesses chewed and incensed Laurel leaves in the evening to increase intuitive insight, induce dreams of divination, and receive clairvoyant contributions to the Delphic Oracle.
The reputation and symbolism of the Laurel tree can be traced to Homer’s Aeneid where he describes paradisiacal Elysian Fields scented with groves of Laurel trees, and in the Greek myth of Apollo and Daphne, where the nymph is turned into a Laurel tree to flee the amorous pursuit of Apollo. Apollo then fashions himself a crown of Laurel leaves and sanctifies the tree as sacred.
The regenerative, restorative virtues of Laurel Essential Oil are revealed when considering the tree’s symbol of resurrection because the tree immediately regenerates itself after sustaining damage. This divine distillation is your ally in resurrecting relaxed respiration, reviving energy, renewing skin, invigorating infinite intelligence, and diving deep into dreamland.
“What forests of laurel we bring, and the tears of mankind, to those who stood firm against the opinion of their contemporaries!”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Conduct of Life
“[Laurel oil is used] to encourage confidence, fortitude, inspiration, protection, direction and creativity.”
~ Valerie Ann Worwood, Aromatherapy for the Soul
“The composition of bay laurel, especially European grown, is multifaceted. Bay laurel contains elements of nearly all of the described twelve main chemical groups, which explains the wide spectrum of positive effects. Long perceived as powerful, laurel is a symbol of victory through Greek and Roman mythology.”
~ Kurt Schnaubelt, Advanced Aromatherapy
