The Incredible Benefits of Bay Leaf Oil

The most important thing you need when making bay leaf oil is patience. Once you've combined the ingredients, you'll have to let them sit for 40 days.

Reviewed and approved by psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Written by Valeria Sabater

Last update: 25 July, 2022

Bay leaf oil has a very pleasant smell that, in addition to helping to relax your mind, also relaxes your body. In fact, this is one of the most popular natural oils used in massages.

In addition, it has antiseptic, antibiotic, and pain relief properties. So, it has it all! Therefore, it’s considered very useful for various remedies and mitigating various health problems.

Today, we’ll explore how to make your own bay leaf oil you can make in your own home. Let’s find out how!

Remarkable benefits of bay leaf oil

In order to understand all the good benefits of bay leaf oil, it’s necessary to look at the potential of its main ingredient.

In addition, this plant is amazing at enhancing recipes. This is why it’s a condiment commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. After all, it adds fantastic flavor to meat, rice, and sauces. However, what you may not know are the therapeutic uses of this essential oil.

Studies indicate that bay leaves contain an essential oil whose main components are cineole and eugenol. It also contains various organic acids, minerals (iron and calcium mainly) and vitamins (riboflavin, niacin and vitamin A).

The essential oil obtained from its fruit (“bayberry wax”) was traditionally used for the treatment of osteoarticular inflammation and pediculosis. However, today it’s believed it can foster relaxation, stress relief, and calm your mind and body.

Bay leaf oil encourages muscular relaxation

Above all, this oil is a powerful muscle relaxant. Its vasoconstrictor action encourages the contraction and the relaxation of the nerve impulse. Furthermore, it even regulates blood circulation.

It’s especially useful as a massage oil for an achy neck or shoulders. Because of this, bay leaf oil is very useful for headaches or migraines, and neck or shoulder pain, etc.

Decongestant

Just as with the use of eucalyptus leaves to make medicinal vapors in the case of colds or the flu is widespread, the use of bay oil diluted in water for the same purpose is also very common.

It’s also used to lightly moisten heating pads that are then applied to the chest to provide relief.

In general terms, as with both the first and second remedies, the goal is to mitigate congestion and promote better respiration.

This oil is good for your skin

Healthy skin is just a few bay leaves away! This wonderful oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—nutrients that are exceptionally suited for skin care. We can’t forget its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, which according to this study, can help get rid of skin infections and other related problems.

It helps promote hair growth

Just as rosemary helps hair grow, the same goes with bay leaf oil. It can promote hair growth when applied regularly within a proper beauty and care routine.

Supposedly, the oil penetrates the scalp and strands and since it improves blood circulation, it enhances the health of your scalp, stimulating growth.

On the other hand, the aroma of this oil supposedly repels insects, therefore, people don’t just use it to drive away mosquitoes, but this oil can even help to get rid of lice.

Making your own bay leaf oil

You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make bay leaf oil.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tbsp. of bay leaves
• 1 c. of sweet almond oil

Materials

• 1 glass container or jar that holds at least 7 oz
• 1 long metal spoon

Preparation

• First, wash the container or jar well
• Then, put in the bay leaves, making sure they’re clean with not a spot of dust or bits of other plants
• Once the bay leaves are in the jar, pour in the sweet almond oil
• Finally, close with an airtight top and let sit for 40 days
• Use in moderation

Contraindications for bay leaf oil

You should never ingest bay leaf oil as it can cause poisoning. Its use should only be topical and, in most cases, it’s usually necessary to dilute it in water, so it doesn’t cause skin irritation.

If you have sensitive skin or suffer from a skin condition, it’s essential you consult first with your dermatologist before starting to use it. And in case they authorize you to do so, try to follow their recommendations.